All Nagano Prefecture Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 6

This type of Tour is for those who are interested in having a custom tour in Kamikochi and/or Norikura. For these tours we offer full day Kamikochi Tours to Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi+Norikura frozen waterfall combination tours, and other tours upon request. Starting times and finishing times can be adjusted. We can also pick you up at your hotel (Norikura, Shirahone, Sawando area only) or at certain bus stops (Oyakodaki, Sawando, Nakanoyu) if you are traveling from Matsumoto or Takayama. **IMPORTANT Notice: Arriving to Kappa Bridge is not guarunteed depending on physical fitness, time schedule, and for those coming by Bus. If you want a higher chance at arriving at Kappa Bridge we must start earlier at around 8:00am. For an 8:00am start you must stay in Norikura prior to the Tour or come by rental car to NORHTSTAR. There is no early bus that arrives at this time. Please plan accordingly. Guides will make the final decisions on the trail regarding when to turn back.

Around Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist centers, the temple approaches have seen samurai, monks, pilgrims and townspeople pass through for centuries. The dojo where this experience takes place sits in a traditional Japanese house in this historic area, offering an authentic setting that connects samurai practice with the everyday life of a regional temple city. Samurai valued matcha not only for its health benefits but also for the brief moment of reflection it provided. After intense training or between conflicts, preparing and drinking tea offered a structured pause: a way to calm the spirit, center the mind, and return to composure. This simple act balanced the warrior's outward discipline with inner stillness. The matcha moment itself is simple and unscripted. This brief pause lets you experience how samurai used tea in daily life: not as performance or ritual, but as a moment to settle the mind and restore calm.

Experience one of Nagano’s most spectacular alpine landscapes without a full-scale mountain climb. This tour takes you by bus and ropeway to Senjojiki Cirque, located 2,612 meters above sea level in Japan’s Central Alps. From the ropeway and Hotel Senjojiki terrace, you can enjoy dramatic views of steep mountain ridges, deep valleys, and seasonal alpine scenery. With your guide, you will walk along the scenic trail around the cirque, learn how this unique bowl-shaped landscape was formed, and discover the plants, wildlife, and mountain views that make this area so special. It is an ideal experience for travelers who want to enjoy the beauty of Japan’s high mountains in an accessible, guided way.

Walk through time in Narai-juku, a remarkably preserved post town on the Nakasendō, the inland highway that once linked Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Often described as one of the route’s most prosperous towns, Narai’s wooden main street stretches for over a kilometer, creating one of Japan’s most immersive Edo-period streetscapes. On this guided walk, you’ll uncover the link between historic travel routes and a community that still lives along them. Jump on a southbound train and in less than an hour you’ll be there! Meet your guide at Narai Station, which opened in 1909. From here, it is only a short walk to Narai-juku’s preserved main street. Your guide will introduce Narai’s role as the 34th of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendō, and why its location near the route’s midpoint helped it thrive. You'll have time to explore independently, browse the lacquerware shops and cafes that now occupy historic buildings, or simply walk the street again.

Discover the breathtaking winter landscapes of Norikura Highlands, including frozen waterfalls, snow-covered forests, and panoramic mountain views that few travelers ever get to see. This snowshoe tour is not just a hike – it’s an immersive winter adventure tailored by a local guide to match your pace and interests. Whether you are an adventure seeker looking for a challenge or a family with children wanting a fun and safe activity, snowshoeing offers a memorable way to connect with nature. Guests often highlight the sense of peace in the quiet winter forest and the insider knowledge shared by the guide about the local environment and culture.

Lesson will be given by a professional Soba chef with an English translator. Young and old can enjoy it at ease.

You can experience traditional Togakushi soba making in a calm private space in Nagano. In this special space surrounded by an old Japanese house and a Japanese garden, you can enjoy the process of making buckwheat noodles from buckwheat flour to dough, noshi (buckwheat flour) and cut carefully from scratch.After the experience, you can taste your own buckwheat noodles on the spot. Through soba making, you can not only experience Japanese food culture and the history of soba, but also experience time to face yourself.Soba-noodle making is a traditional Japanese food culture that allows you to focus on the task at hand while keeping your mind at ease, rather than just cooking. It is a memorable cultural experience that gives you both the pleasure of cooking and the joy of eating, and is recommended not only for beginners but also for families, couples, friends, and those looking for a special experience in Nagano.

Discover the serene beauty of Kirigamine in Nagano on this private guided tour led by a local English-speaking guide. After meeting in Suwa, enjoy a scenic drive up to the 1,600-meter highlands, where clear days may offer views of Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The tour then continues to Yashima Marsh, a 12,000-year-old National Natural Monument of Japan and the highlight of the experience. Walk at a relaxed pace along flat boardwalk trails surrounded by seasonal flowers and peaceful wetland scenery with a lunch break at a traditional mountain hut during the walk. On the way back down, stop at several favorite local viewpoints for more scenic views before drop-off at the station or local accommodation. - Private English-guided tour - Scenic drive through Kirigamine (1,600m) - Visit Yashima Marsh, a National Natural Monument - Relaxed walk on flat boardwalk trails - Lunch break at a traditional mountain hut - Extra scenic stops - Drop-off at station or accommodation

Experience the best snow in Nagano with a companion who has explored this region for over 10 years. Nozawa Onsen is one of Japan's most popular winter destinations — and an incredible playground for snowboarders. Knowing where to go, which runs suit your level, and how to navigate this vast mountain makes all the difference. With the feeling of riding alongside a local friend, I'll use my decade of knowledge as a passionate snowboarder to suggest the best plan for your day on the mountain. Not a guide — a snow buddy. Let's create the best day together. Small groups of maximum 5 people for a relaxed, genuine local experience. Some areas may not be available.

This private and customizable tour for Karuizawa city (in Nagano Prefecture) is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace. Discover 4-5 attractions in Karuizawa City at your own pace on this fully customizable 8-hour full day private tour with an English-speaking (or other language) tour guide. Create a dream tour that’s perfect for your interests and preferences. After booking, you'll receive a form with varied themes, allowing easy selection based on your interests. Whether it's culture, history, cuisine, nature, or special events, you can highlight your preferences and must-see spots, streamlining our planning process.

You’ll be guided by a professional photographer to capture your journey in rich detail. We don’t just take you to famous spots—we help you uncover the charm of hidden places, local flavors, and cultural gems that most tourists miss. It’s about experiencing Japan, not just seeing it.

Walk the production floor, enter the maturation warehouse, and be guided through an exclusive pairing menu by a whisky professional with decades of experience in food and drink. First, learn about the whisky-making process up close with one of your knowledgeable tour guides. Then, take a step inside your award-winning production warehouse to see how cask maturation techniques in action. Finally, relax at the bar where a certified whisky expert will walk you through the spirits alongside a specially curated pairing menu.

Be amazed by the surprising background and history that makes Chino City the top producer of agar in Japan! Receive a guided tour through the workshop, with staff providing easy-to-understand explanations. Explore the rich water resources that contribute to delicious miso and sake in the Suwa-Chino area, embodying the wisdom of predecessors who shaped Japan's traditional cuisine. Conclude the experience with a tasting of agar, as Irise Co., Ltd. shares various ways to incorporate agar into different dishes, driven by the concept of promoting health and happiness for everyone.

This tour is designed for travelers who want an easy local night out in Nagano without having to choose restaurants on their own. You can choose your starting area, either near Nagano Station or around Gondo and Zenkoji. After meeting your guide, you will share your food and drink preferences, and your guide will take you to two local spots such as izakaya-style restaurants, casual bars, or small eateries. The tour includes a food and drink allowance of JPY 1,500 per person at each venue, for a total of JPY 3,000. If your order goes over this amount, please pay the difference directly at the venue. With help from your guide, you can enjoy Nagano’s local nightlife, try regional flavors, and experience the city in a relaxed and friendly way.

Discover the cultural and culinary highlights of Nagano on this private full-day tour by car. Visit the sacred Togakushi Shrine area in the mountains north of Nagano, where you can walk along the famous cedar tree avenue leading to Okusha Shrine. The peaceful forest path lined with towering cedar trees is one of the most impressive natural landscapes in the region. This tour also includes hands-on local food experiences. Try making Togakushi soba, one of Nagano’s most famous regional dishes, and learn how to prepare oyaki, a traditional dumpling filled with vegetables and local ingredients. To complete the day, visit Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan with over 1,400 years of history. Traveling by private car allows you to explore comfortably while enjoying Nagano’s beautiful mountain scenery. This tour offers a balanced experience of spirituality, nature, and local food culture.

Step into the timeless world of the samurai on this cultural journey through Matsushiro, one of Nagano’s hidden historical gems. Traveling comfortably by car with a local guide, you’ll explore peaceful temples, shrines, and castle ruins that preserve the spirit and elegance of old Japan.Each location reveals a different side of Japanese history and craftsmanship, from beautiful wooden temple architecture to the impressive stone foundations of former samurai castles. With its quiet streets, fewer crowds, and relaxed atmosphere, Matsushiro offers a more authentic and serene experience away from the busy tourist areas.Perfect for history lovers, culture seekers, couples, families, and curious travelers alike, this half-day tour provides a meaningful glimpse into Japan’s samurai heritage and traditional beauty.Book now and discover the quiet charm, rich history, and timeless atmosphere of Matsushiro for an unforgettable cultural experience in Nagano.

Enjoy a guided hike to the breathtaking Happo-ike pond in Hakuba, accessible from a series of gondolas and chair lifts. Then, visit beautiful Reisho-ji temple and the nearby onsen town of Omachi-Onsenkyo. Nestled among the Northern Japan Alps in Nagano, Hakuba Valley is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and clear blue lakes, and is known for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. The high altitude of the mountain ridges in Hakuba makes for some of the best hiking and trekking in all of Japan, with trails that can be accessed from chair lifts and gondolas that run year-round. Starting from Nagano Station, this tour will take guests up to one of the most iconic and breathtaking spots in Hakuba, Happo-ike pond, to see its mirror-like surface reflecting the nearby peaks. Afterwards, guests will visit a historic temple in the area, and have time in a traditional hot spring town, where they can enter a full hot spring, or an outdoor "ashi-yu" footbath.

Step into the Edo period and follow in the footsteps of shoguns and travelers on the historic Nakasendo. This guided walking tour takes you across the Usui Pass, once known as the most difficult section of the route, while immersing yourself in history and nature. Along the way, Kamishibai storytelling brings to life legends of Sakamoto-juku, depicted in ukiyo-e prints. Dressed in Edo-style travel gear (sedge hat, straw raincoat, travel pass), you’ll visit landmarks such as Kumano Shrine, the Usui Sekisho checkpoint, and the Nagai Family Residence, where Emperor Meiji once stayed. Experience the journey with all five senses: See: History and legends through Kamishibai Taste: Chaya Bento with Toge no Chikara Mochi Hear: Multilingual guide commentary Smell: Cedar forest phytoncide walk Touch: Cross the pass in Edo traveler attire At the end, receive a souvenir certifying your Usui Pass crossing. Relive samurai culture and discover one of Japan’s most fascinating walking routes.

Seamless, Distinguished Private Transfer Embark on an exceptionally smooth and elegant journey from Tokyo to Hakuba aboard your exclusive private vehicle, designed to deliver absolute comfort and sophistication throughout your ride. Captivating Countryside Landscapes Immerse yourself in Japan’s serene countryside, where breathtaking scenery awaits, featuring sweeping valleys, pristine vistas, and majestic alpine horizons. Luxuriously Appointed Vehicle Travel in a meticulously maintained, premium-class vehicle offering expansive interiors, indulgently soft seating, and complimentary Wi-Fi to enhance your comfort and convenience. Elite Chauffeur Experience Unwind with confidence as your highly trained, impeccably courteous chauffeur manages every aspect of the journey with precision and professionalism. Tailored, Fully Adaptable Travel Including flexible pickup arrangements and personalized adjustments crafted to suit your exact preferences.

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

Exploring the Secrets of 10,000 Years of Peaceful Jomon Era In today’s world, we are witnessing frequent international conflicts and wars, threatening peace on a global scale. Additionally, we face global warming, extreme weather, and related food crises, which contribute to a growing sense of insecurity. We believe the Jomon period in Japan holds the key to the peace people seek and the coexistence with nature needed to protect the planet. The Jomon period is unique in world history for having maintained peace for over 10,000 years. In Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture and Yatsugatake, a region where the Jomon culture flourished, many messages left by Jomon people remain. This tour invites you to feel the spirit of peace the Jomon people cultivated, based on the messages they left behind. This special journey will allow you to touch the Jomon spirit and search for clues to a better future. Let’s discover the essence of peace by learning from the past.

Discover a side of Nagano that many travelers miss: the wine country of Shiojiri’s Kikyogahara. This guided walking tour takes you to three local wineries, where you can taste Japanese wines and learn how the region’s cool, dry climate has shaped its grape-growing culture. Along the way, you will walk past vineyards, hear the story of Shiojiri wine, visit the vineyard area at Goichi Wine, and see the cellar at Shinano Wine. With tastings at all three wineries, this tour is a relaxed and flavorful way to experience one of Japan’s most interesting wine regions.

Explore Nagano’s winter highlights on a private day tour with your own English-speaking guide and private vehicle. Visit the famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see wild Japanese macaques in their natural mountain setting, then continue to the charming town of Obuse for a local lunch stop and free time. The tour also includes a visit to Zenkoji Temple and a relaxed guided sake tasting. This private tour is designed for comfort and ease, allowing you to enjoy the region without navigating public transportation or winter roads on your own. Ideal for families, couples, and small groups seeking a smooth private day in Nagano. * Private vehicle and English-speaking guide for a personalized experience * Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Obuse, and Zenkoji Temple * Guided sake tasting and Snow Monkey Park admission included * Local lunch stop arranged in Obuse; lunch is paid separately * Flexible 8–10 hour itinerary depending on weather, road conditions, and group pace

Authentic Family-to-Family Connection: Match with host families who have children of similar ages to make real local friends instead of just touring. Home-Cooked Culinary Bonding: Step inside a real Japanese home to cook, dine, and share casual everyday moments together as welcomed guests. Tailored Kid-Friendly Exploring: Discover hidden neighborhood spots, parks, and local gems customized specifically to your children's interests and ages. Outdoor Play & Cultural Exchange: Let kids make international friends naturally through origami, tag, and games during a relaxing picnic at Yoyogi Park. Tranquil Temple Cultural Retreat: Immerse your entire family in traditional kimono strolls, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and yoga at a private temple near Osaka.