Nagano, often referred to as the 'roof of Japan' and once host to the Olympic Games, offers an abundance of outdoor pursuits making it a popular winter holiday destination for local Japanese. As well as offering the delights of snowy sports, Nagano has long been a place of pilgrimage for many. The focus has always been the wonderful Zenko-ji temple which houses the revered Buddha statue Ikko-Sanzon said to date back to AD 552. The prefecture is also home to the famous snow monkeys and many visitors make the journey to watch the lazy macaques residing in the hot-spring waters.