Top Nagano Culture

Experience two of the most stunning locations that Nagano has to offer: the world-famous Snow Monkey Park, with its charming hot spring-bathing macaque monkeys, and Togakushi Shrine, also known as the "Five Shrines", famous for its breathtaking forest path lined with towering ancient cedar trees. Starting from Nagano Station, this tour will take you to Jigokudani Monkey Park, commonly known as the Snow Monkey Park, to see Nagano’s most iconic residents—the Japanese macaque monkeys that bathe in their natural hot spring. After enjoying a Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the 1,000-year-old Togakushi Shrine complex to learn about its deep spiritual history and walk the cedar-lined path to the "Okusha," or inner shrine. Enjoy Nagano’s unique nature and wildlife while also learning about Japanese culture, Shinto traditions, and religious history, set within a breathtaking mountain landscape.

Explore the rich history of Zenkoji Temple, a 1,400-year-old site nestled in Nagano City. Walk along the ancient stone paths trodden by pilgrims and Samurai, immersing yourself in the spiritual essence of Japan. Then, transform into a Samurai apprentice in a traditional setting, where a Master Samurai instructor will guide you through katana techniques and postures. Dressed in a yukata and hakama, enjoy striking poses and learn the art of the warrior in an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a Samurai film. Capture unforgettable moments with photos and videos, ensuring this unique experience stays with you long after you leave.

Avoid the risk of getting lost in the Japanese Alps when you take a private day hike with a guide. Enjoy a beginner-friendly hike along the Nakasendo Trail between two traditional villages, Magome and Tsumago. Learn more about Japanese history and culture from your guide, and enjoy getting some exercise in the beautiful landscape.

10:00 Departure from Nagano Station 10:45 Arrival in Obuse 11:00- Visit 北斎館 (Hokusai Museum) 12:20-Lunch at a local restaurant in Obuse 13:30- Visit 岩松院 (Gansho-in Temple) 14:30-Local Café time 15:15 Departure from Obuse 16:00 Arrival at Nagano Station This tour was made with one simple wish: we want you to feel the real charm of Japan. First, we’ll visit the Hokusai Museum in Obuse. It’s a great place to learn about Hokusai’s life and artwork, and the charming streets around the museum are perfect for a slow and enjoyable walk. After that, we’ll enjoy a local lunch in Obuse, featuring seasonal and regional flavors. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Gansho-in Temple in Obuse, where you can see Hokusai’s impressive ceiling painting, created in his final years. After visiting the temple, we’ll take a relaxing café break in Obuse. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a local sweet while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of this historic town. Finally, we return to Nagano Station.

Nagano has so much to offer that limiting your sightseeing to one day can feel stressful. This intimate, small-group tour eliminates the hassle of planning your own itinerary and arranging transportation. Visit the Snow Monkey Park to see wild macaques relaxing in natural hot springs; stop in the charming town of Obuse for a local lunch and sake tasting at a historic brewery; and enjoy an optional visit to Zenkoji Temple (only available for earliest departure times).

Discover the shrines and forests of Togakushi without getting lost on a small-group walking tour from Nagano. Nestled in a national park, this sacred site offers hidden trails and ancient pilgrimage paths waiting to be explored. As you trek through the lush landscapes, encounter Shinto statues and cedar trees lining your route. Visit three shrines and savor a delicious lunch of Togakushi soba, renowned as one of Japan's top soba dishes.

Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned. Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan. Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a remarkable journey through Japan's Northern Japan Alps, showcasing stunning alpine scenery and unique transportation experiences. Traverse the route via cable cars, ropeways, and buses, while witnessing breathtaking landscapes that change with the seasons. Highlights include the famous Yuki-no-Otani Snow Corridor in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and the impressive Kurobe Dam. Each season reveals a different side of this natural wonder, making it a year-round destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. -Take comfortable bus from Nagano/Kanazawa, explore Northern Alps. -Spring-limited "Snow Wall Valley", a spectacular snow wall landscape that you must see once. -Visit world-class engineering marvel, the Kurobe Dam, experience firsthand the magnificent grandeur of Japan's largest dam. -Enjoy unique journey using six different mountain transportation in one day. -Special gift: Hokushinetsu specialty and local cuisine "Sasa Sushi".

Discover Matsumoto on this full-day tour designed to cover the area’s cultural highlights in one rewarding day. Enter the black-walled Matsumoto Castle, a rare original fortress rich in samurai history, and explore at your own pace. Depart from Nagano (8:00 AM / 8.5 hrs) or Matsumoto (9:30 AM / 6.25 hrs). Visit a 150-year-old miso brewery for a guided visit and onigiri lunch. Enjoy free time at Japan’s largest wasabi farm, with canals, waterwheels, wasabi souvenirs, and optional snacks such as wasabi ice cream. Stop at a countryside winery for a casual tasting of local wines. End at the Ukiyo-e Museum, home to a major woodblock print collection. On Mondays, this museum stop is replaced by Matsumoto City History Village. ・Entry to Matsumoto Castle ・Guided miso brewery visit & onigiri lunch ・Free time at Japan’s largest wasabi farm ・Casual wine tasting at a scenic winery ・Entry to the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum (History Village on Mondays) ・Matsumoto’s cultural highlights in one day

This tour is designed to show samurai history as a living story, not just a list of old buildings. In Matsushiro, the castle ruins, the Sanada Residence, and the Former Bunbu School stand close together, allowing you to follow the world of the samurai in a clear and meaningful order. You will begin at the former political center of the castle town, then step inside a preserved residence connected to the Sanada family, and finally visit the school where young samurai learned both academic and martial skills. With your guide’s explanations, you will discover how samurai governed, lived with their families, received guests, studied, trained, and prepared to serve their domain. This experience is ideal for travelers who want a deeper understanding of Japan’s samurai culture beyond famous battles and armor. It offers a rare look at the everyday life, education, and values of samurai in a real historic town.

Visiting Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi Shrine, Nozawa Onsen, or the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park? Stop by Obuse, an enchanting town in Nagano prefecture, renowned for its connection to the legendary artist Katsushika Hokusai. Stroll through the charming streets, admiring the beautiful gardens and inviting walking paths. Visit the Hokusai-kan Museum and uncover the fascinating story of why Hokusai journeyed from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Obuse in his 80s. Enjoy culinary delights that have been savored since Hokusai's time, including local sake and miso (including a bonus miso souvenir!). We offer start times from 9:00am and 1:00pm. If you’d like to enjoy lunch in Obuse after the morning tour or begin the afternoon tour a bit earlier (such as around 12:00pm), we’re happy to adjust the schedule to suit your plans. Just let us know your preferred time when booking.

Discover the charm of Japan's winter landscape on the Snow Monkey Tour, featuring a visit to the renowned Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park, home to over 200 wild monkeys soaking in natural hot springs. The tour includes a scenic 40-minute hike to the hot springs, a traditional Japanese lunch in Obuse, and a visit to the historic Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City. Enjoy a unique cultural experience while marveling at the beauty of snow monkeys in their natural habitat. - Daily departures from Hakuba, available December 19th, 2025 to February 28th, 2026, and select days in March. - Includes a traditional Japanese set-course meal with sake at Kyoumitei in Obuse. - Visit the iconic Zenkoji Temple, a National Treasure with over 1,400 years of history. - Perfect for travelers seeking a blend of nature, culture, and culinary delights in Japan.

Swap Nagano for an exploration to Matsumoto and Kamikochi in a day. Instead of looking up bus timetables, you can benefit from having round-trip transportation included. Along the way, check off a mix of scenic nature spots, as well as historical attractions, such as Matsumoto Castle, with guided tours included for extra convenience.

If you’ve ever wondered how wasabi is grown and cultivated, then this is the tour for you. Visit one of Japan’s biggest wasabi farms to see its fields up close. No need to worry about language barriers, as a private guide accompanies you on a tour of the grounds, and provides commentary about the secrets of wasabi production. As an added bonus, a wasabi ice cream tasting is included too.

Explore the beauty of Nagano on this full-day tour featuring Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Monkey Park, and Matsushiro Castle, along with a sake tasting experience. Start your day at Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant Buddhist sites, and immerse yourself in its rich history and serene atmosphere. Next, head to Jigokudani Monkey Park and stroll along a scenic forest trail to watch wild snow monkeys relaxing in the natural hot springs. After enjoying lunch at your own expense, join a guided sake tasting at a local brewery. Conclude your journey at Matsushiro Castle, a historic samurai fortress of the Sanada clan, where you can explore its stone walls, gates, and tranquil grounds. Full-day tour featuring Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Matsushiro Castle, and a guided sake tasting Scenic forest walk to observe wild snow monkeys in their natural hot springs Cultural insights from an experienced local guide

Nagano is best known for its ski slopes, but this full-day tour from Nozawa Onsen covers its cultural experiences that are just as worthwhile. Your day starts at Jigokudani Monkey Park to watch Japanese macaques bathing in natural hot springs, then moves to Zenkoji—one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan—after a warming local lunch. Finish on a high with a guided sake tasting at a local brewery.

This tour takes you to the 'Roof of Japan' in summer and autumn to experience in the stunning and lush alpine landscape and one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, Mount Tate. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied on every leg of your journey to the Roof of Japan and back down again.

Starting from Nagano City or any of the Nagano's 5 main ski resorts (Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen, Madarao Kogen) , we will pick your party up in our private vehicle to take you on your private tour and drop you off back at the pick up location or in Nagano City. On this tour, you will visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and learn all about what makes the resident monkeys so unique, and enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant and experience Nagano’s renowned food culture. Guests will also have a chance to stroll the charming streets of the historic town of Obuse, and enjoy viewing its remaining Edo period buildings, as well as explore Zenko-ji, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, and home to the first known Buddhist statue to be brought to Japan. A Sake tasting experience with detailed explanations from your guide is also included(non-alcoholic options available).

Nagano is a place of incredible Shinto and Buddhist history and home to one of Japan’s most iconic temple and shrine. While many of Japan’s cities lay claim to an identity of nature-meets-human-invention, that atmosphere can be felt in Nagano better than almost anywhere else in Japan. In this tour, your knowledgeable licensed local guide will accompany you on your journey features an historic districts and even ancient pilgrimages. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize your four-hours special tour that's best for you. Note*1 Please pick 1 of the 3areas(Zenko-ji Area, Matsushiro Area,Obuse Area) then you can select 2–3 sites in the same area.(It is not possible to visit more than 2 areas.) Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Guests on this exciting 1 day tour of Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku will have the chance to get hands-on with Japan's fascinating history by personally entering the renowned Matsumoto Castle and strolling the streets of the quaint Narai-juku. There will also be opportunities to walk the downtown area of Matsumoto city and window shop or taste some of its delicious local specialties. With all transport included in the tour, you will not have to worry about anything more than which souvenirs to buy for your family and friends. This tour also includes a seasonal activity at Narai-juku, to allow you to get even closer to the fascinating culture of this region of Japan which often feels as though it has been pulled out of a different era.

Experience the best of Nagano with this immersive tour starting from Myoko Kogen and Madarao Kogen. Begin your journey with a visit to the renowned Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous hot spring-bathing monkeys. Afterward, savor a delicious winter lunch before heading to the historic Zenkoji Temple, one of the country's most significant Buddhist sites. Led by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, the tour concludes with a sake tasting, offering a perfect blend of culture, nature, and local flavors.

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.

Discover Two Ancient Japanese Traditions in One Memorable Half-day Experience! Your journey begins with an immersive exploration of Zenkoji Temple, among Japan's most ancient and venerated Buddhist sanctuaries, concluding with an authentic tea ceremony at a traditional local teahouse. Explore Zenkoji Temple's Sacred History and Ancient Legends: Zenkoji Temple stands as one of Japan's most hallowed Buddhist destinations. Throughout feudal times, devoted pilgrims journeyed vast distances to reach this sacred ground, frequently traveling the historic Nakasendo route. From Sacred Grounds to Tea Ceremony Heritage: At the teahouse, a skilled sadōka (tea ceremony master) welcomes you and shares the traditions and ceremonial steps you'll experience. Enter the serene teahouse space and settle into position as your tea ceremony experience unfolds.