Some of the facilities that were built for the 1998 Winter Olympics are still used for events like sports and concerts. We’d like to introduce some of the events that are currently held there, along with the Olympic event that the facility was originally built for.
What Nagano Olympic Facilities are Still Popular Today?
Hakuba Jump Stadium: Climb to the Start Line and Take in the View
The Hakuba Jump Stadium was used for the ski jump competition. Even now, it is still used for ski jumping. After taking the ski lift that runs between the normal hill and the large hill, you can feel what it’s like to stand at the 140 meter high start line, or look out over the scenery. On the 2nd floor of the start tower, there is a gallery where you can see Nagano Olympic medals and photos.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Hakuba Jump Stadium
- Street Address：Ooaza Hokujo, Hakuba Village, Kita Azumi District, Nagano Prefecture 〒399-9301
- Access： About 45 minutes on foot from Hakuba Station, or 5 minutes by bus, then a 20 minute walk from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Oito Line Hakuba Station.
- Lift Operation Season: Mid-April~November, mid-December~March
- Lift Operation Hours: 08:30~16:10 (Last ride) Closes at 16:30
- Lift Fees (round trip): Adults (high-school and up) are 460 yen, elementary and junior high school students are 280 yen.
Nagano Olympic Stadium: Home of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The Nagano Olympic Stadium, in the Minami-Nagano Sports Park, was designed with a cherry blossom motif to be the home of the opening and closing ceremonies. Now, it is used as a baseball field for practice games for professional baseball teams, or amateur baseball games. Near the stadium is the Olympic torch platform, and engraved at the base are the names of the Nagano Olympic medalists.
Spot Information
- Spot name： Nagano Olympic Stadium
- Street Address：320, Shinonoi Tofukuji, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 〒388-8002
- Access：About 12 minutes from Nagano Station by the Shinano Railway, get off at Shinonoi Station, and then 10 minutes by taxi, or about 40 minutes by foot.
- Wi-Fi： Not available
- Open Hours: Dependent on the event
- Entry Fee: Dependent on the event
M-Wave: The Nagano Olympic Speed Skating Stadium
M-Wave is the arena that was used for the Olympic speed skating competition, as well as the Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies. The nickname comes from the ‘M’ shape of the roof, designed to mimic the local mountains. The stadium is still used for international skating competitions, such as the Speed Skate World Cup.
From October-March, the rink is open to the general public for skating, and otherwise, it is used for events such as concerts and exhibitions. Inside the facility is a Nagano Olympics museum, with the torch and medals on display, and you can watch videos of the Nagano Olympics and Paralympics in 3D. You can really feel the passion of the Olympics at this facility.
Spot Information
- Spot name： Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena M-Wave
- Street Address：195, Ooaza Kitanagaike, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 〒381-0025
- Access：About 15 minutes from Nagano Station by taxi, or a 15 minute ride on the Nagaden Bus, get off at M-Wave bus stop and walk 3 minutes
- Wi-Fi：Only available inside the Nagano Olympic Museum
- Open Hours: 10:00-17:00 (except during events or rentals)
- Entry Fees: Free (Skate rink fee: Adults 1,540 yen, junior high schoolers and younger 820 yen for one day’s use.)
- ※ When there is an event, entry is blocked to the general public.
The Big Hat: The Main Ice Hockey Arena
The Big Hat is the arena that was used for the ice hockey competitions. Now, it is a large, multi-use arena. It’s called The Big Hat because the roof makes it look like just that: a big hat. In the winter, it is used for ice hockey and figure skating competitions, and in the summer there are events like concerts for well-known artists and exhibitions.
Spot Information
- Spot name：Nagano Wakasato Multipurpose Sports Arena Big Hat
- Street Address：3-22-2 Wakasato, Nagano Prefecture 〒380-0928
- Access： About 10 minutes by taxi from Nagano Station, or about 10 minutes by the Nagaden Bus, get off at the Mizuno Bijutsukan bus stop, and walk about 3 minutes.
- Open Hours: Dependent on the event
- Entry Fee: Dependent on the event
Nagano White Ring: The Nagano Olympics Figure Skating Arena
The White Ring was the figure skating and short track speed skating arena. The building looks like a white ring, shining in the light like a drop of morning dew. Now, it has become an arena for Sumo, the volleyball World Cup, and amateur sports. The general public can also use it for sports.
Spot Information
- Spot name： Nagano Mashima General Sports Arena
- Street Address：2268-1, Mashima, Mashima Town, Nagano City 〒381-2204
- Access：About 20 minutes by taxi from Nagano Station
- Open Hours: Dependent on the event
- Entry Fee: Dependent on the event (The arena, training rooms, and tennis courts have separate fees.)
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