「おじぎをすれば山にぶつかる」といわれるほど深い谷「吾妻渓谷」に代表される川原湯温泉周辺と、日本有数の活火山「浅間山」西北麓に広がる北軽井沢高原地帯という二つの顔が長野原町の魅力です。
　 それぞれ趣の違う観光スポットが点在し、年齢や目的を問わず多くの人を楽しませてくれる長野原町は、恵まれた自然がベースにあることはいうまでもありません。そんな自然に魅せられた島崎藤村、与謝野晶子、若山牧水といった文人、墨客も多く訪れ、数々の足跡を残しています。
　 そうした文学散歩や、由緒ある神社・仏閣、石仏、石碑など歴史や文化財をたどるのも一つの楽しみ方と言えるでしょう。自然派、文学派、芸術派、スポーツ派などそれぞれの目的に合わせて、様々な遊び方やくつろぎ方が見つかるはずです。
　 それには欲張らないで、ゆっくり歩きながら町を知ることから始めましょう。観光ガイドだけではなかなか紹介しきれない、いろいろな町の表情を「五感」を使って感じ取ってみて下さい。思いがけない発見や、新たな感動がきっと見つかることでしょう。そして、次に訪れるときは季節や場所を変えてみたり、交通手段を変えてみたりと、また違った「お目当て」をもって出かけてみたいものです。とても新鮮な旅気分が味わえるに違いありません。

The charm of Naganohara Machi is said to be found in two spots - the Kawaharayu Hot Springs region in Agatsuma Gorge (which is so deep it is said that "if you bow down, you will hit the sides"), and the Kitakaruizawa Highlands at the north-west foothills of Mount Asama - one of Japan's still-active volcanoes.
Naganohara is spotted with several sightseeing spots, each with their own uniqueness, and can be enjoyed by everyone including the older people as well as those who have come just to wander around the area - it is an area blessed with more than nature alone.
Several famous literaries, ink artists and calligraphers who have been enchanted by the nature of Naganohara Machi such as Shimazaki Toson, Yosano Akiko, and Wakayama Bokusui have visited and left their mark.
Seeking out things such as the Literature Walk; the many shrines, temples, stone buddhas, and stone monuments with a long and distinguished history; as well as cultural monuments is without a doubt one way to best enjoy the town.
But there is no need to overdo it - take your time wandering around and get to know the town. Use all five senses to really get a feel for all its aspects - too many to list in a tourist guidebook. No doubt you will make some unexpected discoveries. On your next visit, you can look forward finding something new by visiting during a different season, visiting a new spot, or coming via a different mode of transport.
We are sure you will enjoy a trip that gets you in touch with nature.

◆かたくり　Potato flowers

　万葉集にも詠われた「かたくりの花」。林地区では貴重な群生地が残され、毎年４月２９日にはかたくり祭りで賑わっています。

Spring features potato flowers - the same as those written about in "A Collection of a Myriad Leaves". Many of these precious flowers still can be found in the woods here, and every year on April 29th the town is bustling with the Potato Flower Festival.

◆ムラサキツツジ　Purple azaleas

　早春の吾妻渓谷を彩る紫の花「ムラサキツツジ」。
　若葉が芽をふく前のひととき、可憐な花が観光客の目を楽しませてくれます。

Early spring features purple azaleas that colour the Agatsuma Gorge. These pretty flowers appear only for a short period prior to the burst of green leaves and are a special sight for tourists.

◆浅間大滝　Asama Falls

　北軽井沢周辺で最大の滝と呼ばれる「浅間大滝」。
　抱負に流れ落ちる水の音が静寂な林にすいこまれて行くようです。

Asama Falls is the largest waterfall in the Kitakaruizawa region. The silence of the forest seems to capture the sound of the rushing waters.

◆軽井沢マウンテン牧場　The Highlands Dairy Farm

　牧場と観光農場を組み合わせた体験型牧場。農作物の収穫体験、アイスクリームづくりなど高原牧場ならではの楽しい体験が盛りだくさんです。

The Highlands Dairy Farm is where harvesting crops and making ice-cream are some of the many fun things you can experience.

◆吾妻渓谷 　Agatsuma Gorge

　「関東の耶馬渓」とも称される吾妻渓谷は、吾妻川の両岸が長い年月をかけて浸食されてできた深い渓です。錦に彩られた紅葉の渓谷を歩いてみませんか。

Referred to as the "Yabakei of the Kanto Region", Agatsuma Gorge is a deep gorge carved by the Agatsuma River over many years. Why not take a walk around the Gorge during the splendid colours of autumn?

◆丸岩 　Mount Maruiwa

　丸岩山頂にはかつて丸岩城と呼ばれる城がありましたが、今では自然林の中を歩く、登山道が設置され、紅葉の時期はハイカーで賑わっています。

In times past there was a castle at the peak of Mount Maruiwa known as Maruiwa Castle, but today mountain trails have been established there so that you can walk through the forest, and it is popular with hikers in the autumn season.

◆湯かけ祭り　Hot water festival

　毎年１月２０日、厳冬の早朝に川原湯温泉で行われる奇祭。ふんどし一本の若衆が、神社にお湯を奉納した後、紅白に分かれてお湯をかけ合う４００年続く伝統的なお祭りです。

Every year in the early morning of January 20th, in harsh winter conditions, an unusual festival is held at Kawaharayu Hot Springs. After making an offering of hot spring water at the shrine, young people dressed in loincloths divide into teams of "red" and "white", and pour hot spring water on each other following a tradition spanning 400 years of history.

◆スノーパーク　The Snow Park

　「スノーパーク」はリフト券でなく、時間別入場料金制なので、それぞれの予定にあわせた楽しみ方ができる、ファミリー向けのスキー場として親しまれています。

The Snow Park is a friendly and family-oriented ski resort that uses fixed time charges rather than separate lift tickets, so you are free to enjoy the park as you wish.

◎吾妻渓谷・川原湯周辺
自家用車＝関越自動車道渋川・伊香保ＩＣ下車～１７号線～３５３号線～１４５号線経由で約５０分
電　　車＝ＪＲ吾妻線川原湯温泉駅下車徒歩１０分

◎北軽井沢周辺
自家用車＝上信越道碓氷・軽井沢ＩＣ～１８号線～１４６号線経由で４０分
電　　車＝上越新幹線軽井沢駅下車～バス４０分

Agatsuma Gorge / Kawaharayu Hot Springs Area
By car Take the Kansetsu Highway Shibukawa/Ikaho IC Exit - Route 17 - Route 353 - Route 145 (approx 50 minutes)
By train Take the JR Agatsuma Line to Kawaharayu.Station. A 10-minute walk from there.

Kitakaruizawa Area
By car Take the Joshinetsu Highway to Usui/Karuizawa IC - Route 18 - Route 146 (approx 40 minutes)
By train Take the Joetsu Shinkansen Line to Karuizawa Station. A 40-minute bus ride from there.