Top Activities on the Ground in Nagano Prefecture

Shinanoji Nature Trail is a hiking course about 10km in length, which is almost a descent from the peak teahouse. Walk about 7,5 km to the hot spots in Oze, which has many attractions. A downhill trek is relaxed while being healed by the colorful miscellaneous trees and larch forest. You can also see the two famous Karuizawa waterfalls (Shiraito Falls and Dragon Falls) along the way. This course is recommended for people who are not always confident in their physical fitness, and young and old alike, since the entire trip is almost a descent. From Oze Onsen, it is also possible to return to the peak chaya parking lot by bus or directly to Karuizawa Station.

A guided tour that uses snowshoe to trek the vast field of Asama. Courses for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students can be selected depending on the level, so anyone of all ages can participate. While looking for traces of wild animals and observing wild birds, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mt. Asama and the superb view.

It is a trekking tour with an exclusive guide to the summit of the small Asama mountain of the Asama mountain foot. Koasayama is a parasitic volcano on the eastern foot of Mt. Asama at an altitude of 1,655 m. A guide will guide you through the formation and vegetation of Mt. Asama and aim at the summit. As it is about two and a half hours by round trip, if you are new to mountain climbing, you can feel free to participate regardless of age or sex. From the top of the mountain covered by the volcano, the spectacular Mt. Asama and the wonderful prospects await.

You can enjoy nature while listening to the flow of water and the birds singing in the quiet, green forest. If we are lucky, you might even encounter wild deer or chipmunks. The view from the top is spectacular if the weather is good enough. You can see the Alps, the city, the lake, and even Mt. Fuji. Although the top is a tourist spot, it is not too crowded.

Visit Snow Monkey Park, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Nagano, on your bike at your own pace. Watch monkeys bathing in hot springs and playing on the riverbed up close as long as you want. Bikerentals are the best way if you looking for an exiting and unforgettable activitiy. You can enjoy not only the park also the nature and scenery of Nagano on the way while planning your itinerary. We are the only bikerentals shop that offer cross bikes, Ebikes, and road bikes made by Trekbikes in Obuse and the closest store to Nagano Station. Bikes for the tall are available. You can get helpful safety and route tips from our local cyclist staff.

The opportunity to freely ride an E-Kart (a four-wheeled electric kart similar to a go-kart) on Japan's public roads without a license will be a memory that you will cherish for the rest of your life!

Let’s Roam is the ultimate app-led adventure hunt company! Embark on a journey to discover top landmarks and hidden gems, all while answering trivia questions and tackling exciting challenges. Team up with friends or compete against them as you uncover fun facts and create unforgettable memories. Let’s Roam Adventure Hunts are perfect for any occasion—whether it's a regular day out, a bachelorette party, a birthday celebration, or a corporate team-building event. Each player picks an interactive role, with unique challenges tailored to everyone. Get ready for an epic adventure!

Walk past Karuizawa inn from the former Nakayama Road to the Sakamoto inn. Sui Hui is a place that was once said to be the most difficult place in Zhongshan Road. At the top of the Usui Pass, you can see the view point of the Kanto plains panoramic view and the Kumano Imperial Shrine, which is famous for its power spots. After that, while going down the borge weir, we aim for Sakamoto inn while passing "Yamanaka teahouse ruins", "Sakamoto inn" with a panoramic view "Nagi". At the end of the trekking we will stop by and guide you to the hot spring "Kotonoyu". Slowly bathe in the hot spring, but if you are on your way back to Yokogawa Station, return to Karuizawa by bus.

Discover a side of Japan most visitors miss with this 3-day countryside immersion in Nagano. Cycle quiet backroads, meet locals in farming hamlets, and relax in hot spring villages - all just a short train ride from Tokyo. Unlike a simple day trip, this experience offers a deeper look at life in rural Japan’s Snow Country. Days are filled with gentle cycling, cultural encounters, and changing scenery through rice fields, rivers, and mountain valleys. Evenings are at traditional inns with seasonal meals and a warm welcome from local hosts. Designed for travelers who want to slow down and experience daily life in rural Japan, this trip blends activity and relaxation into an unforgettable journey. Highlights: - Cycle through rural hamlets, rice fields, and riverside paths - Stay in traditional farm inns with seasonal country meals - Experience onsen culture at historic a hot-spring town - Connect with local residents and countryside traditions - Only 2 hours form Tokyo by Shinkansen

Experience Nagano’s top winter highlights in one private guided tour: the famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani and the frozen Yonako Falls. This unique adventure combines wildlife, snowshoeing, and dramatic winter scenery for an unforgettable day in Japan. Enjoy private transport with pick-up available from major resort areas including Hakuba, Matsumoto, Tsugaike, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko, Obuse, Shinano Omachi, and Shiga Kogen. This tour is ideal for travelers seeking a comfortable and hassle-free winter experience. Perfect for those interested in photography, nature, culture, and hidden winter destinations. Recommended for up to 4 guests, with options for larger groups by coordinating additional guides. If you want a premium Nagano winter tour beyond standard sightseeing, this Snow Monkey and frozen waterfall experience offers a memorable and meaningful journey.

Starting from the shores of Lake Shirakaba, you cycle with a guide on a fashionable e-Bike along the Kirigamine Venus Line with its spectacular views from the Yatsugatake Mountains to Mt.Fuji. Before setting off, a safety course is given, so even first-time e-bike riders can feel at ease. You can also start the tour by refilling your bottle of clean spring water at a spring water spot by Lake Shirakaba early in the tour. This is a special guided tour where you can experience the rich nature of Lake Shirakaba and the Yatsugatake Mountains first-hand. The views are so spectacular that you will want to take photos. At Kurumayama-kata highland, halfway along the Kirigamine, you can get off the e-Bike and have a relaxing time at a café on the plateau. This tour is a great way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Kirigamine.

Explore Obuse's cultural and rural charms on a leisurely, half-day self-guided cycling tour. This tour is self-guided, but if you'd prefer a guide, book a guided tour through the options. This tour is seasonal, available from April to November. After walking around the town, rent a bicycle and go cycling. Visit the Gansho-in Temple, home to Hokusai’s awe-inspiring Phoenix ceiling painting, and enjoy a picnic lunch under the apple trees at Kobayashi Farm—an unforgettable way to experience Obuse’s orchard culture. (Note: if you join us for the afternoon tour, we will have the picnic lunch first.) The tour ends back at the station with plenty of scenic memories in tow. This tour is perfect for travelers looking to combine gentle activity, cultural discovery, and fresh air in a beautiful countryside setting. Caution: Obuse experiences intense summers, so always carry water to prevent dehydration, as well as a pair of sunglasses.

Unlike a typical city jog or sightseeing walk, this experience blends trail running with storytelling. You’ll run through Matsumoto’s quiet backstreets, past the Yayoi Kusama Art Museum, the old Agata school park, and up the forested trails toward the ruins of Hayashi Castle — a forgotten fortress overlooking the Northern Alps. Along the way, I’ll share local insights about Matsumoto’s samurai past, mountain culture, and modern art scene, showing how nature and history meet in one 15 km loop. It’s designed for intermediate runners who want more than just a workout — a cultural journey on foot through one of Japan’s most atmospheric castle towns without actually going to the famous castle.

This tour is a seasonal tour which can be held only in winters. You can have a unique opportunity to enjoy to see monkeys in the hotspring! You can enjoy a short hiking before and after the monkey section. (please wear comfortable shoes.) This tour would be leaded by national licensed guides, so you can ask anything about the local information, as well. *The snow monkey season is from December to mid-March each year; it is still possible to see monkeys in April, but there is no snow. The tour might be changed if the weather condition is not good. Please note that crampons will be attached to your shoes for this tour because you will be walking on snow-covered trails to meet the snow monkeys. Please be aware of this in advance.