Nagano Private Tour With English Speaking Driver
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tokyo, Japan
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Swap Tokyo's hustle for Nagano's natural beauty on this full-day private tour. Visit highlights like Jigokudani Monkey Park and Matsushiro Castle or customize your itinerary. Learn about history, culture, and architecture with insights from your English-speaking driver while enjoying private transportation and hotel pickup for a seamless experience.
- Private, full-day tour of Nagano for a personalized experience
- Hotel pickup included for your convenience
- Learn about local culture and traditions as you explore
- Pose for photos: your guide is happy to take them on your camera
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- highway tolls and gas
- English speaking driver
- Admission Fee - Admission fee
- Photo assistance at major spots (your guide can help capture great shots)
- Customizable itinerary
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
pick up and drop off services is included if your hotel is not listed no worries just send us your pick up location in special requirement section and our driver will be at your doorstep.
Itinerary
1
Zenko-ji Temple
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Shibu Onsen
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Matsushiro Castle
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Obuse-machi
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Togakushi Shrine
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- No Health restrictions
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 36 reviews
Mary_W, Apr 2026
I was picked up an hour and a half away from the usual Nagano and dropped back off early for another appointment. The driver was excellent - in attitude, helpfulness, and English skills. I have a hidden disability, and he even helped me up and down the stairs to the snow monkeys himself!
Laurel_F, Mar 2026
We had such a wonderful day with Sarfy! Hands down one of the best travel days we have had. The snow monkeys were wonderful!
Michelle_M, Mar 2026
Sandra was prompt and knowledgeable. He was very courteous and was concerned about us having a good experience.
Adrian_M, Mar 2026
Our driver was very courteous, knowledgeable and fun. We were picked up from Nagano Station and taken to the Snow Monkeys Park followed by Zenkoji temple with lunch in between. We really appreciated being able to tailor the time spent at each location to our specific interests. It was a memorable day.
John_W, Jan 2026
Outstanding, safe driver for our trip to Nagano and the Snow Monkey Park. His explanation of the 1.6 km walk through the park to the monkeys was appreciated.
Samantha_L, Dec 2025
We had a great time taking this tour. Our driver Sarfy was very friendly and helpful. The snow monkeys were adorable. We also enjoyed visiting the little town called Obuse on our way back to Tokyo.
Line_D, Oct 2025
Our driver Sarfraz was very friendly and we really enjoyed our trip to Nagano. I highly recommend this tour.
Lori_T, Sep 2025
Do not book this tour if you get takako tours as the provider. We were picked up and the person said his name was Paresh (sp?) he was Pakistani living in Tokyo. He said he had to drive 4 hours to get to our hotel. I felt bad for him, but we paid for this tour. We got in the car and he drove off. We waited for him to give us information about Nagano, but there was silence. We started asking questions. His English was okay and we understood most of what he said. He took us to Matsushiro Castle first, and when he parked, I asked him if he was coming in. He said no, he'd wait in the car. So no tour or guide going into this castle. It was free admission, and we wandered around before returning to the car. We were then driven to the Monkey Park. He parked in a parking lot and told us to walk up the road, take the first right, and keep walking to get to the parking lot for the park. He remained in the car and there was no "guide or tour". At this point, I was utterly disappointed with this "tour." During our drive, we had to ask questions about the area, and he couldn't answer some of them. He also didn't let us know that the monkeys were no longer in the park. He could have offered a different site if he found out the monkeys were gone. We reached the beginning of the park, and there was a sign saying the monkeys went back to the forest. At the park, you need to hike up a path about 1.8 km, and then you get to the real entrance of the park, where you need to hike uphill another .2 km. and pay the entrance fee. Also, there are no restrooms once you leave the park parking lot. Another thing to be careful of is that the listing for this tour says that all the activity fees are included, but when you look at the itinerary, it says the fees are not included. The park visit was supposed to last 3 hours, but since there were no monkeys, we decided not to hike up to the entrance or pay for entry. We returned to the car and the driver said the next stop is Zenkoji Temple--which is right by our hotel. My husband had the itinerary and he said what about the visit Shibu Onsen. The driver said that the tour was actually over since we were supposed to stay 3 hours in the monkey park. Even though it wasn't even noon, and our tour was supposed to be TEN hours, he wanted to take us back. There were five stops on the itinerary and after two stops he wanted to take us back to Zenkoji Temple which would be the last stop. We asked him if there was anywhere we could get lunch and he said no, not really. We asked if Shibu Onsen would have any place to eat and he said he didn't think so. We insisted he drop us off at Shibu Onsen and we walked around the little town. We did find a little restaurant and had cold ramen, which was delicious.
After we left Shibu Onsen our driver took us to Zenkoji Temple. He dropped us off and told us we had an hour and to meet him back at the drop-off point. We were told to call him when we got back to the dropoff point. Zenkoji Temple was fascinating, and because he gave us only an hour to visit, we didn't have a chance to see the shopping street. We got picked up at 9:30 am and dropped off at 16:30. This was not a ten hour tour. Oh, and at the end of the tour, our guide became very chatty and said to please give him a good review and mention his name, which changed to Bilal. I thought he said his name was Pareesh or Pavreesh. Our ten-hour tour was actually 7 hours and we visited only three of the five destinations which was listed on the itinerary. And, if we hadn't insisted, we would have only seen two out of the three. I would really like my money back because this tour was so disappointing. I've booked a lot of tours in Japan, and I'm surprised that Viator would use this company, given their poor performance. Remember, cancel your booking if you get takako tours.
Also, there are bus tours sold at the Nagano Train stations for the Monkey Park--I'm not sure how much it costs.
Yiming_H, Jun 2025
Sarfraz was a great guide. He was extremely nice and funny, and his car was clean, comfortable, and luxurious. The snow monkey park is definitely worth visiting and he made the experience very enjoyable. Highly recommend.
Lewis_M, May 2025
Hamza made our experience wonderful. Loved the tour from beginning to end. We will never forget this day. Thank you Hamza for making us feel safe and as family!
Mary_L, May 2025
Amazing trip. At first, I wondered if I made the right choice as a 4 hour trip outside of Tokyo, but definitely worth the adventure. Waqas made this trip extraordinary. He stays in close contact until pickup and shares his excitement about the area and other venues in Japan. Do not miss it!
Shane_R, May 2025
Our driver, Hamza Ali, was very professional and courteous. He arrived at our hotel early and got the day started. Very comfortable vehicle that my two friends found quite relaxing. The trip was long from Tokyo, almost 4 hours. We were not able to see all of the itinerary but Hazma made sure we were able to do the two things that we wanted. There was no snow at the monkey park but there were still plenty of monkeys to see. Especially when the feeding happened hundreds of monkeys descended the mountain and came to the area around the hot springs. It was quite something to see.
Overall, a great experience in a relaxing vehicle and great driver. Would definitely recommend to anyone not wanting a tour bus or rental car.
Bela_F, May 2025
Very friendly, informative and knowledgeable about the Japanese culture. Snow monkeys were very cute and the Kankeiji Temple was amazing. I would recomend this tour.
JeanDenis_P, Apr 2025
Great Day. We saw many interesting sites. The mountain scenery was beautiful. The guide (Sarfy) was polite, driving safely and listening ça arefully to my various nerfs and wishes.
Roza_P, Apr 2025
Our tour guide Sarfraz was amazing! Very accomodating, caring and has a great personality! Sarfraz made our day and an unforgetable tour with suggestions and helpful tips! Thank you!
Imelda_S, Mar 2025
I found this private tour when looking for monkey snow trip. As we would like to go for a non-rushed trip, we chose the private tour. Our guide, Sarfraz is very accommodative to our needs well and very patient.
We were picked up from our hotel and as it was still early, we did not get a chance to have our coffee. Sarfraz offered a stop to coffee shop for which we are so grateful. The trip is also enjoyable as we can be at our pace.
Barbara_B, Mar 2025
The earlier the better for crowds in winter! We had a great experience, however…Viator has crammed too much into a day if you start in Tokyo. Our driver, who was a very nice, congenial guy was only that, a driver. He was not a guide at all, dropping us off & telling us where to meet when we were ready. We saw the monkeys, had lunch & went to the temple, which is very large, beautiful and interesting. We felt we were rushed at the temple in order to get back to Tokyo before 7 p.m. There is no way we could have done more than a drive by of the other activities. Suggest you choose 1-2 others, after seeing the monkeys & Viator should adjust the description accordingly. Overall, we are really glad we did it just to see the monkeys, and the temple was worth the stop for us. The cost basically pays for the car and driver’s time, we paid for all other expenses. If you don’t want to be rushed at every point, adjust your expectations and choose your top 2-3 sights. Our driver was very accommodating. Worth it!
Sage_K, Mar 2025
This was an experience that went above our expectations! Our tour guide Sarfy was an absolute delight and customized our trip perfectly! The car ride is so comfortable and he has everything to accommodate you from comfy seats to music and as many stops as you need! Then when we got to the monkey park, it was incredible and so surreal that we got to see what we did! There’s nothing that can compare! And then sarfy helped me and my friend find an authentic onsen that allowed us in even with tattoos! Then we decided to come back early but he would have taken us anywhere else we wanted to go! 10/10 recon’s if you want to see something different then just a city
Natalia_K, Mar 2025
After a not so great big bus tour with a different tour company on the previous day, I decided to reconsider my remaining plans and book a private tour instead. I booked this private tour to Nagano to see snow monkeys on a very short notice, very late in the afternoon the day before and worried a little that it would fall through but I should not have! Our guide/driver Sarfraz reached out to us very promptly a couple of hours after the booking through Whatsup so that we got the direct line with him. The next morning he arrived, as planned, to pick us up at the hotel and was very kind to wait as we were running a little late. We then discussed the priorities for the tour in terms of must-see attractions versus nice-to-see attractions and he was very helpful to plan the exact itinerary that matched our wishes. Private tours offer much more flexibility to people and are great for those wanting to create their own itineraries. We had a very good ride to the monkey park and were able to stay there as much as we wanted, without being rushed. We had a great time and the experience exceeded our expectations - totally worth the long ride! We had a great lunch at a little cafe at the park entrance, also on a recommendation from Sarfraz, and then planned the rest of the day. Instead of bringing us back to the hotel, he was very kind to take us to the meeting point for our evening food tour as we would be late otherwise. Overall a great experience and we would definitely do it again with Sarfraz. In fact, I ended up canceling another big bus tour previously planned and booked and we are now planning to do a private tour instead.
Sarah_D, Feb 2025
Honestly would do it again next time I come just to see the tour guide.
His knowledge was up to date and had lots of interesting facts about the places we where visiting.
The tour guid spoke amazing English and he was the nicest man. He made an effort to interact with all of us including my 13month old Daugther, getting her to laught and dance to music which he kindly offerd to put on. Tour guid got us as closer parking than other tours we seen at the Snow monkeys which helped as we have a 13month old.
Driving was very safe.
Honestly the website was convent and we loved that but what realy made our tour was the tour guide. I would recommend Surf he was just amazing.
The company where very good English on the phone to book with.
100% doing this again next time when I come to Japan and I would only want this Tour guide if I did book again he was amazing. Please if you book ask for the tour guid I had you wont regret it :)
From $550.00
per group (up to 6)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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