• Zenko-ji Temple - Established in 642, Zenko-ji is among Japan’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temples. Located less than a 20-minute walk from Nagano Station, visitors can follow the historic ‘Omotesando’ or ‘Pilgrim’s Way’ to reach the temple. Upon arrival, guests will find one of Japan’s most inviting temples. The main temple, a registered National Treasure, houses the oldest known Buddhist statue in Japan and serves as the spiritual center of the region. A morning ceremony is held daily, welcoming visitors of all faiths and backgrounds, and the temple hosts several major festivals annually.

＊An admission fee is required for Hondo-Naijin, San-mon, and Kyozo.

• Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori - Zenko-ji Nakamise-dori Street is a stone-paved path extending from the Nio-mon Gate of Zenko-ji Temple. It is believed that approximately 7,777 stones were used to pave the 450-meter approach to the temple’s main hall.

The street is a lively shopping area, with shops offering local specialties such as Oyaki, Shinshu Soba noodles, sweet crepes made from Soba and wheat flour, and Miso-flavored ice cream.

• Togakushi Shrine Chusha - As you approach the Okusha from Nagano, you will encounter the largest of the five shrines – the ‘Chuusha’ (Middle Shrine). Accessible by walking trails, car, or local bus, the shrine is dedicated to wisdom and is renowned for its enormous cedars, estimated to be around 800 years old. Nearby, several ‘soba’ restaurants and bamboo craft shops are within easy walking distance.
• Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum - For over 800 years, Togakushi has been closely associated with Japan’s legendary ninjas. The Togakure school of ninja was established in the 12th century in the mountains of Togakushi. Although practicing ninjas are rare today, the area now features a ninja museum and kids village. Located across from the cedar avenue leading to the Okusha, the Togakure Ninpo Museum highlights the local Togakure school of ninja, showcasing tools and weapons used. Visitors can try essential ninja skills like throwing ‘shuriken’ (ninja stars), with the museum’s highlight being the Ninja House. Equipped with secret doors, passages, and traps, the challenge is to find your way out! The house is a true maze, offering fun for both adults and children.
• Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park - Situated around 1200 meters above sea level, Togakushi is part of the larger Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. This densely-packed mountainous area features forests, waterways, ski resorts, and a significant mix of natural and cultural sites. Among its peaks, Mount Hiuchi is the tallest at 2,462 meters above sea level, while the park is named after the peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Togakushi.
• Kagami-ike Pond - The name is quite fitting. Kagami means “mirror” and Ike means “pond”, which is exactly what you find here. A pond that resembles a mirror. There are two main routes to reach this hidden spot 2.5 km from Chusha shrine. The choice depends on your mode of travel. Those with a car can drive directly by taking the Togakushi Birdline and turning left at the sign for Kagami-ike, just before the steps leading to Hokosha shrine. This road winds uphill and ends at Kagami-ike, offering the best view of its stunning reflection of the mountains.
• Nishimon Yoshinoya - Nishi-no-Mon is a sake brewery located in Nagano, featuring a gift shop, museum, and restaurant.

Visitors can tour the brewery and museum, where they can view a collection of old photographs that narrate the brewery’s history, as well as explore ancient and modern brewing equipment. At the tour’s conclusion, guests can sample sake, a type of Japanese rice wine, and purchase bottles as souvenirs.

• Togakushi Shrine Okusha - Shintoism, Japan’s native religion, is rooted in nature worship and the belief that notable natural features possess divinity. This belief is prominently displayed in Togakushi, where the five shrines of the Shinto complex are spread throughout the forest, connected by trails. Of these, the ‘Okusha’ (Upper Shrine) is the most renowned, thanks to the avenue of giant cedars leading to it. Many of these ancient trees, aged between 400 to 800 years, are considered inhabited by ‘kami’ or ‘the divine’, making them as significant as the shrine itself.
• Matsushiro - Matsushiro is a charming suburb of Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture, located about 12 km south of the city center. It is notable for its own castle, a reminder of its past as an independent town. Matsushiro retains the samurai houses, temples, and gardens from its castle town days, and features intriguing museums and a World War II tunnel complex.

Matsushiro offers more attractions than the rest of Nagano city and serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby skiing and hot springs, as well as the artistic town of Obuse.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nagano
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

The city of Nagano is an intensely beautiful and historic part of Japan, only a stone’s throw away from the capital city of Tokyo. 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.

Note1: You will not be able to visit all the sights on the tour. You must choose 2 to 3 sights and inform your guide.
Note2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

• Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
• This is a walking & public transportation tour only.
• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.