"AhztheCat" <greatbig@dummy.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94D49F50EA778greatbigdummycom@130.81.64.196...
> I will be heading to Nagano in about two weeks, and will be there for a
> year.  I was wondering if there is anything I should know to prepare
myself
> for an extended stay there.  Anyone spent any time there?
> I'm wondering if it is an especially foreigner friendly place, if there is
> an english option on the atms...good cheap  bars...stuff like that.  Any
> info would be much appreciated!
> -G

First - do you mean Nagano Prefecture or Nagano City - the two are quite
distinct.  I live in Nagano Prefecture but my location and Nagano City are
separated by a three hour drive and a climate zone.

Check out the Nagano JET Yahoo Group - assuming you're going to be a JET -
even if that's not the case there are plenty of Nagano City based teachers
in the group who'd be able to give you first-hand advice
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naganojet/

Assuming you're in Nagano City.  If you come from a warm weather climate you
are going to feel very cold in the winter.  If you're used to mild summers
then you're going to sweat buckets from July onwards.  Otherwise you'll be
fine and I hope you like skiing/snowboarding - or are interesting in taking
up the sport.

--
jonathan