Top Nagano Dining Experiences

Explore the greater part of Zenkoji temple town and sample authentic Japanese snacks and sweets on this small-group walking tour. Try traditional Nagano bites such as oyaki (Japanese stuffed dumplings), sweets, matcha, and a sampling of sake and meet local business owners in the area. Your guide will take you off the beaten path in Nagano and tell you all about the 1400-year history and culture while discovering parts of the city not found in guidebooks.

Are you a Sake beginner or an expert? This Sake brewery private tour brings you not only to the world of Sake but also exclusive cultural experiences. I will take you to Ichinoya Sake Brewery, established in 1865, which still produces high quality Sake with traditional methods. You will see the house’s brewing process mostly by human hands with limited mechanicals, which is designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2024. The tour includes; - Visiting Ichinoya Sake Brewery, discover how Sake is made - Sake tasting - Lunch with local ingredients over Ichinoya’s series of Sake at Wachigai restaurant, whose building is traditional Machiya style build in late Edo period, with great atmosphere - Shopping Sake and other local products It starts at 11:00am and takes about 2~3 hours including lunch. Free after lunch. This tour can take at most 6 people. Tour is held only once a day.

See two of the top attractions near Nagano on this full-day excursion. Explore the tranquil grounds of the 1400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan's most important temples. Enjoy a guided sake tasting at a nearby brewery and a hearty lunch at a local restaurant. Then, head to the Snow Monkey Park, located down a beautiful forest trail, to witness a group of local macaques known for their willingness to live in the snow and bathe in the local hot springs.

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.

Experience the best of Nagano winter in one unforgettable private tour—combining snowshoeing in the sacred forests of Togakushi and a visit to the iconic Snow Monkey Park, where wild macaques relax in natural hot springs. This seasonal experience is available only for a limited winter period. Unlike standard shared tours, this is an exclusive private experience focused on comfort, safety, and flexibility. Your guide, Hama—an English-speaking UIMLA-certified mountain leader and registered nurse—provides professional guidance tailored to winter conditions. Travel in a new Subaru Forester Hybrid 4WD, ideal for snowy mountain roads, ensuring a smooth and secure ride. The standard capacity is up to 4 guests, but groups up to 8 can be arranged upon request, with an additional certified guide for safe pacing and support. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of limited time while enjoying a premium, safe, and meaningful experience in Japan’s winter wilderness. ❄️