Location: Nagano Prefecture
Top Things to do in Nagano Prefecture
Top Hotels in Nagano Prefecture
Things to do in Nagano Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Tours
Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken) is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Nagano. Due to the abundance of mountain ranges in this area, the land available for inhabitance is relatively limited.
Restaurants in Nagano Prefecture
1. 1-Day Togakushi Forest Shrines & Mountain Ninja Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Sitting just outside Nagano City, the forests of Togakushi are home to some of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines - a place linked to the very creation myths of Japan itself and the mountain refuge of the Togakure Ninja. This engaging tour takes you along short sections of the pilgrimage trails of the ‘Togakushi Kodo’ and deep into myth and legend. Including visits to two of the most important shrines, the Togakushi Ninja Museum and ending at the grand avenue of giant cedars.
Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Transport from/to Nagano Station & Togakushi using public bus, Lunch, Entry ticket to the Togakushi Ninja Museum, Guided tour at all listed attractions
Exclusions: Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket, Accommodation, Additional food, snacks & drinks
Reviewed By LyceTherece
AMAZING Valentine's Day! Our guide (Peter, I believe) was absolutely fantastic, offering information, fun facts and history at every turn. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful, and it was, despite abnormally warm weather keeping the monkeys away from the onsen, and COVID precautions causing an early end to the lantern festival. Our guide was super knowledgeable and helpful, and went above and beyond to provide a memorable tour for us all. He was the epitome of the hospitality and kindness that I love so much about Japan!
2. Nagano Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see.
Inclusions: Local guide ("Lokafyer", Customized private walking tour
Exclusions: Personal expenses, Tips and gratuities (optional), Optional activity costs, Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions (It’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)
3. Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Enjoy having Oyaki(Japanese Stuffed Dumplings) in front of a traditional Japanese sunken hearth, and also you have local sweets & Matcha tea as we walk through Zenkoji temple's town area in Nagano. - Taste 2 Oyaki(Japanese Stuffed Dumplings), Miso soup & Soba Tea in a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. - Explore Nagano's back street area, where is not on your guide book and you see 1400 years history of national treasure temple - Having a Matcha tea in the traditional Japanese style tea place. - Learn and practice authentic Japanese eating style and discover other parts of Nagano outside of your guidebook. - Connect with local business owners to learn the history and local culture. *Please let us know if you have any food restrictions beforehand*
Inclusions: also includes Miso soup & Soba tea, Matcha Tea & Sweets
Exclusions: Private transportation
Reviewed By marcodomeniconi
The experience of discovering incredible places with Masashi was awesome. He guided us to rare and surprising places with a great sense of humour. We were on a family trip and in very good hands.
4. Matsumoto Castle, Sake, Food & Craft Beer Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
You can do Sake Tasting in friendly owner’s brewery, have wonderful local Matsumoto food for lunch and drink great local craft beer. We will walk through famous street in old town as well as hidden places to explore more about Matsumoto city. Of course in this tour you will enjoy Matsumoto castle which is ranked in top 3 beautiful castle in Japan and is a registered National Treasure. - Matsumoto castle entrance fees are included - Sake Tasting - Lunch - Local Craft Beer(1 drink) - Walking through one of the busiest streets in Matsumoto city and you can enjoy Japanese stalls - Learn and practice authentic Japanese eating style and discover other parts of - Matsumoto outside of your guidebook. - Connect with local business owners to learn the history and local culture. - Photography Tour / We will be on hand to take some happy snaps(by DSLR camera) which will be shared with you after the tour!
Inclusions: Matsumoto castle entrance fees, Sake tasting, Lunch, Local craft beer(1 drink)
Exclusions: Extra drinks and food (available to purchase), Bullet train tickets and other transportation fees., Meal for infant
Reviewed By marcodomeniconi
The experience of discovering incredible places with Masashi was awesome. He guided us to rare and surprising places with a great sense of humour. We were on a family trip and in very good hands.
5. Full-Day Private Nagano Tour: Zenkoji Temple, Obuse, Jigokudani Monkey Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
On this tour, spend a full-day in Nagano exploring the city and enjoying what this quaint town has to offer. Your English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or Nagano Train Station at 8:45 AM. You will either take public transportation (train and bus) or private chartered vehicle around town based on your booking. Immerse yourself in the city's culture and visit major Nagano attractions such as Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, the famous Zenkoji Temple, Chikuma River, Obuse Town, and relax in a traditional onsen/ hot spring (optional).
Inclusions: Private tour with English-speaking (or other available language) tour guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels within Central Nagano only), Transportation within Nagano City , Fuel surcharge
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Onsen (hot spring) fee: 700 JPY per person, Other optional activities for guests .
Reviewed By 926maggieh
While we were sad to have to cancel our July trip to Japan due to the pandemic, we found the process of working with Japan Awaits to be easy and efficient. I can't speak to the full experience since we weren't able to go, but filling out the form and our communication with the company was no problem. And their prompt and courteous response to our request for a refund speaks to their professionalism. We will definitely come back to ask for their help in procuring tickets to the Studio Ghibli Museum when we do finally make it to Japan! Fingers crossed for next summer.
6. 1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in the Shiga Kogen Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
This adventurous one-day tour combines a visit to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani with morning of fun in the deep powder snow of Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest ski resort! Including lunch and led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour follows a simple equation: snow monkeys + lots more snow = big fun in Shiga Kogen!
Inclusions: Transportation from Nagano Station to the Snow Monkey Park and to Shiga-kogen Highlands Ski Resorts and back to Nagano Station., Lunch (vegetarian options are available), English-speaking guide, Snow activity fees in Shiga-kogen Highlands, Entrance fee to the Snow Monkey Park
Exclusions: Shinkansen/bullet train tickets, Rental boots (if required), Rental clothing including snow jackets & pants (if required), Additional snacks, food & drinks at Shiga Kogen
Reviewed By LyceTherece
AMAZING Valentine's Day! Our guide (Peter, I believe) was absolutely fantastic, offering information, fun facts and history at every turn. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful, and it was, despite abnormally warm weather keeping the monkeys away from the onsen, and COVID precautions causing an early end to the lantern festival. Our guide was super knowledgeable and helpful, and went above and beyond to provide a memorable tour for us all. He was the epitome of the hospitality and kindness that I love so much about Japan!
7. Nagano Ski Buffet
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 10 reviews
Experience the best of Japan - the thrill of deep powder, the beauty of an unique culture, and the fun of a great guided tour. Enjoy some of the most amazing snow on planet earth, stay in a truly authentic Japanese ski village where you are the minority, visit mom and pop restaurants and mix with the locals, be entertained by Geisha, Taiko Drum, Shimansen Guitar, Lion Dance and Karate performances, visit the world famous Snow Monkeys, walk through ancient castles, temples and shrines and relax in natural hot pools. Where other companies may talk up the cultural aspects of Japan we include them in our tours so you get a truly authentic Japanese ski experience. And best of all you get to share this all with a group of like minded ski and snowboard enthusiasts, all hosted by instructor/guides who are just plain passionate about what they do for you as our testimonials attest to. And don’t forget our hidden gems that we leave as a surprise for you on your journey with us at JPC Tours.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Breakfast, Lift Passes, Guiding and Instruction, Cultural Performances, Karaoke night
Exclusions: Air Travel, Travel Insurance, Equipment hire, Dinner, lunches and drinks
Reviewed By David C
Really hard to review the time 7 days skiing I had with Japan Powder Culture Tours, because there was just so much action. I joined Jase for the Powder Chaser Tour in mid-February, and whilst the season was a poor one by Japanese standards, Jase, John and George new where the goods were, consistently finding stashes 1-2 days after a dump. Out of the 7 days there was only really 1 day of poor skiing due to the conditions, and this was well beyond JPCT’s control. Additionally, due to the nature of the season, we didn’t have the luxury of visiting the other resorts around the area, however again beyond JPCT’s control. Jase has a unique product, offering a number of different options. His flexibility to provide a start and end date that suited my travels was one of the main attractions when booking. Whilst I joined the Powder Chaser Tour with more of the advanced skiers, I witnessed Jase and his crew taking out beginners in small groups and they showed amazing improvement with such focussed tuition. I refer to the product as unique, as we were constantly finding lift accessed side country and secret stashes which I would never have found by myself, or game enough to ski without a guide who truly knew the terrain. By doing so, we were able to ski snow that was truly hidden. This type of skiing was opt-in by the more adventurous and whilst a mix of skiers and boarders, it was fairly even from an ability perspective. The town of Yudakana had a plethora of restaurants and whilst not ski in/ski out, I’m glad I chose the option of such a lovely town, with dining options galore and comfortable bus ride. I stayed in the Ryokan and encourage anyone thinking of booking to do the same. The traditional Japanese accommodation has its quirks, however the onsen, breakfasts and dinners were truly amazing. Summarising my time with Jase and his crew, whilst the skiing and accommodation were both great, my lasting memory was a lot of fun. Whilst it likely won’t be next year, I’m a big chance to return in the future. Only negative is having to put up with such a rubbish accent.
8. Flying Squirrel Watching Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 52 reviews
We will watch the wild Japanese giant flying squirrel, which is endemic to Japan and one of the biggest flying squirrels in the world. Since our professional nature guides know their life style and gliding patterns, the chances of watching their gliding is 97.8% (actual result of this tour in 2019).
Inclusions: Use of Binoculars
Exclusions:
Reviewed By srablair
The new visitors centre here at the Karuizawa Bird Park is very good. You can buy coffee here too from 9.30am to 4.30pm and the visitor centre stays open til 5.30. A good place to come for a rest. There are toilets here and also a small gift shop. We also appreciated that there is free Wi-Fi.
9. 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 194 reviews
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenko-ji Temple – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - followed by sake tasting and lunch at a nearby restaurant. It's then time to head to the Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys! All led by a locally-based English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to see the best that Nagano has to offer and get up close and personal with its most famous furry residents! From Dec.1st 2020 until Mar.15 2021 guests based in Hakuba have the option of joining this tour by using our morning shuttle service from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal*. Departing at 08:20, our staff will have you board the tour bus and begin your journey toward the Snow Monkey Park. *Please note, that the guide will join the tour from JR Nagano Station.
Inclusions: Transportation fee from Nagano to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities/attractions, Lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available, please try to let us know in advance), Sake tasting, English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Shinkansen/bullet train tickets, Entry to paid attractions at Zenko-ji , Additional food, snacks and drinks
Reviewed By LyceTherece
AMAZING Valentine's Day! Our guide (Peter, I believe) was absolutely fantastic, offering information, fun facts and history at every turn. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful, and it was, despite abnormally warm weather keeping the monkeys away from the onsen, and COVID precautions causing an early end to the lantern festival. Our guide was super knowledgeable and helpful, and went above and beyond to provide a memorable tour for us all. He was the epitome of the hospitality and kindness that I love so much about Japan!
10. Shiga Kogen Snowshoe Hiking (Asahiyama Course)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
Shiga Kogen surrounded by the great nature of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park The Snowshoe Asahiyama course will guide you through courses with ups and downs while enjoying the appearance of animals and plants that survive the harsh nature of winter. The second largest loquat pond on the Shiga Kogen, the summit of Asahiyama overlooking the surrounding mountains, and walking on the frozen pond of Ichinuma.
Inclusions: Snowshoe and stock, insurance
Exclusions: Please bring your own lunch., Snow wear, Snow boots, hat, gloves
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