Major city · Japan
Obuse小布施
Half a day is enough: walk the old town, visit the Hokusai Museum and eat chestnut sweets. Combine with Nagano or a stop on the Nagano Dentetsu line.
Obuse is a small, flat town 30 minutes from Nagano by train, known for its Hokusai Museum and chestnut-based sweets. The old town is compact and walkable; most visitors spend 3–5 hours here as a half-day trip from Nagano or en route to Yamanouchi or the Shiga Kogen ski area.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some closures)
- Airports
- NRT · HND
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Obuse110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Obuse, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyObuse is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNRT Narita (Tokyo) (About 3.5 h via Shinkansen and Nagano Dentetsu).
- Getting aroundThe old town is flat and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Museum or sight ticketHokusai Museum entry¥500 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or minshuku per person, a night, per person¥5,000 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥3,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · High ¥10,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NRT Narita (Tokyo) (About 3.5 h via Shinkansen and Nagano Dentetsu) · HND Haneda (Tokyo) (About 3 h via Shinkansen and Nagano Dentetsu)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Obuse: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is flat and walkable. Everything is within 10–15 minutes on foot from Obuse station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nagano
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Nagano Dentetsu limited express, 24 min
Zenko-ji temple and city sights.
Yamanouchi (Snow Monkey Park)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Nagano Dentetsu to Yudanaka, then bus, about 50 min total
Combine with Obuse in one day if you start early.
Shiga Kogen
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Nagano Dentetsu to Yudanaka, then bus, about 1 h 15 min
Japan's largest ski resort; summer hiking also possible.
Matsumoto
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Nagano Dentetsu to Nagano, then Shinkansen to Matsumoto, about 1 h 15 min
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's original castles.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Obuse town centre
A few minshuku and guesthouses; quiet, walkable to everything.
Nagano city
More hotels and restaurants; 24 min by limited express to Obuse.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥3,000–5,000 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- High
- ¥8,000 (≈ US$55)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or minshuku per person2 × 1 night × ¥8,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥6,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Nagano Dentetsu from Nagano, round trip2 × ¥1,500 · check | ¥3,000 |
| Hokusai Museum entry2 × ¥500 | ¥1,000 |
| Coffee and cake set2 × ¥600 | ¥1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,320 |
| Trip total≈ ¥18,260 per person per day, bed included | ¥36,520≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Coffee and cake set | ¥600–800 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Chestnut sweet (monaka or manju) | ¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Lunch set | ¥1,000–1,500 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Nagano Dentetsu limited express (one way) | ¥750 (≈ US$6) |
| Hokusai Museum entry | ¥500 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Hokusai Museum closes at 16:30 in winter (Nov–Mar); last entry 30 min before.The Hokusai Museum closes at 4:30 PM in winter (Nov–Mar); last entry 30 min before.
- Many shops and restaurants close by 17:00; plan lunch and afternoon visits.Many shops and restaurants close by 5:00 PM; plan lunch and afternoon visits.
- Chestnut season (Sep–Oct) draws crowds; weekends can be busy.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Obuse小布施
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US consulate in Nagano is the nearest; most other countries have consulates in Nagoya or Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nagano → Obuse, Nagano Dentetsu limited express: ¥750 (≈ US$6), 24 min (check)
- Nagano → Obuse, local train: ¥650 (≈ US$5), 33 min (check)
- Taxi from Obuse station to old town: ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Obuse. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Hokusai Museum and chestnut shops with verified hours and seasonal closures.
- Walking route from Obuse station through the old town, with rescue anchors at the museum and main street.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Nagano Dentetsu trains from Nagano.
Sources
Ask about Obuse
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