Top Nagano Classes & Workshops

The class is held at the over 130 years old house. It was built in Machiya style and was used to be a house of Shoya, the biggest merchant in the city at that time. You can have a look around the unique inside. We will show you traditional life style such as Koto, a Japanese harp and an old sawing machine, which have been carefully stored for a long time in Kura, an old style storage in back of the house. The kitchen is made of Sake barrel lids came from a local brewery. It’s located on the second floor, you will see the beautiful Japanese garden. We provide aprons, so you don’t need to bring anything. We will give you a recipe that you can cook at your country. The class consists of some basics of Japanese cooking, such as how to make Dashi broth, and introduction of local made ingredients, which are not normally seen at regular supermarkets. We will explain for you to cook at home when you go back. Recipes are adjustable for vegetarians and vegans.

Experience two authentic Japanese traditions in one unforgettable activity: create your very own one-of-a-kind pair of chopsticks and learn how to make authentic soba noodles under the guidance of a professional soba artisan. Afterward, enjoy your freshly made soba using the chopsticks you crafted yourself—making the experience even more special. We are committed to supporting local production and consumption, with a focus on ingredients and materials sourced from Nagano Prefecture, especially Komoro City.

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.

In this activity, participants can interact with locals and learn about traditional Japanese food culture through the hands-on experience of making onigiri. This easy-to-make dish allows you to enjoy different flavors and fillings unique to each household. By using fresh local ingredients, such as Shinshu salmon or seasonal vegetables, you can create an even more special dish. Onigiri-making can be an enjoyable experience for adventure-seeking travelers and families alike.

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.

Explore the culinary and cultural richness of rural Japan on this engaging 4.5-hour tour in Shibu Onsen. Learn to make traditional Nagano-style oyaki and onigiri from local ingredients under the guidance of skilled instructors. Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring the dishes you've prepared and take a guided stroll through the historic streets of Shibu Onsen, famous for its hot springs. Optionally, relax in a traditional onsen bath or soak your feet in a public foot bath as you immerse yourself in this charming community. - Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes, easy walking experience - Small-group tour with hands-on cooking and local instructors - Includes a homemade lunch and guided walk through Shibu Onsen - Onsen bath access is optional; suitable for all ages with adult supervision

- Practice with the hankyu, a traditional half-bow used for close-range training. Your instructor will demonstrate the technique clearly, then guide you step by step as you draw and shoot under close supervision. As your confidence grows, you’ll have the chance to try different types of shoot. This makes the practice more engaging and helps you notice how small changes affect your shot. - Learn how to stand with balance, move your feet without losing stability, and hold the katana so the blade stays controlled and aligned. You’ll practice drawing and returning the sword calmly, then work through basic cuts and finishing positions with an emphasis on accuracy and follow-through. As you progress, those single techniques connect into short sequences, so you can feel how timing and body mechanics work together. Your English-speaking instructor teaches in a clear, supportive way, adjusting the pace to your experience level.