Nagano All Must-Sees Half Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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.

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Zenko-ji Temple, I-491 Motoyoshicho, Nagano 380-0851 Nagano Prefecture

Founded in 642, Zenko-ji is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. Less than 20-minutes walk from Nagano Station, follow the city’s historic thoroughfare – the ‘Omotesando’ or ‘Pilgrim’s Way’ all the way to the temple. Arriving at Zenko-ji, visitors discover one of the most welcoming temples in Japan. Housing the oldest known Buddhist statue in Japan, the main temple is a registered National Treasure and the spiritual heart of the region. A morning ceremony takes place every day of the year, with visitors of all faiths and backgrounds welcome, with the temple also hosting several major festivals each year.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori, Motoyoshicho, Nagano 380-0851 Nagano Prefecture

Zenko-ji Nakamise-dori Street is a stone-paved street spreading out from Nio-mon Gate of the Zenko-ji Temple.
It is said that around 7, 777 stones were used to pave the 450 meters approach leading to the temple's main hall.

The street is a bustling shopping area and the shops along the street sell local specialties such as Oyaki, Shinshu Soba noodle, sweet crapes made from Soba and wheat flour, and Miso-flavored ice cream.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Togakushi Shrine Chusha, 3506 Toagakushi, Nagano 381-4101 Nagano Prefecture

Approaching the Okusha from Nagano, you will pass the largest of the five shrines – the ‘Chuusha’ (Middle Shrine). Accessible via walking trails or directly via car or local bus, the shrine is dedicated to wisdom and famous for several enormous cedars that estimated to be around 800 years old. Surrounding the middle shrine, several ‘soba’ restaurants and bamboo craft shops are within easy walking distance.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum, 3688-12 Togakushi, Nagano 381-4101 Nagano Prefecture

For more than 800 years, Togakushi has had a strong association with Japan’s fabled ninjas. Established in the 12th century, the Togakure school of ninja was founded in the mountains of Togakushi and though practicing ninja maybe few and far between these days – believe it or not there are still some – the mountains and forests of Togakushi now play host to a ninja museum and kids village. Located directly across from the cedar avenue leading to the Okusha, the Togakure Ninpo Museum showcases the local Togakure school of ninja including exhibits of tools and weapons used. Visitors can try their hand at essential ninja skills such as throwing ‘shuriken’ (ninja stars) while the highlight of the museum lies in wait at the Ninja House. Rigged with secret doors, passages and traps to confuse those who enter, the aim is simple – get yourself back out of the house! The house is a true maze, equally fun for adults as it is children

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, Koshinetsu, Chubu

Located around 1200 metres above sea level, Togkaushi is nestled within the larger Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. The park is densely-packed mountainous area of forests, waterways, ski resorts and important mix natural and cultural sites. Among its multiple peaks Mount Hiuchi is the tallest at 2, 462 metres above sea level while the park takes its names from the peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Togakushi.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kagami-ike Pond, Togakushi, Nagano, 381-4101, Japan

Its name is perfectly fitting. Kagami means "mirror" and Ike means "pond", and that is precisely what you get here. A pond that looks like a mirror. There are basically two ways to get to this hidden spot 2.5 km from Chusha shrine. Which way you go will depend on how you want to get there. Those with a car can drive directly by heading up the Togakushi Birdline and turning left at the sign for Kagami-ike, located just before the steps leading up to Hokosha shrine. This road will wind uphill and come to an end at Kagami-ike, on the side best suited for viewing its wonderful reflection of the mountains.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Nishimon Yoshinoya, 941 Nishinomoncho, Nagano 380-0857 Nagano Prefecture

Nishi-no-Mon is the name for a sake brewery which is located in Nagano and also has a gift shop, museum and restaurant attached.

You can tour the brewery and museum where you can see a range of old photographs that tell the story of the brewery and you can also check out some ancient as well as modern brewing equipment on site.

At the end of the tour you can also sample some of the sake which is a kind of Japanese rice wine and buy a few bottles as souvenirs of your trip.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Togakushi Shrine Okusha, Togakushi, Nagano 381-4101 Nagano Prefecture

Japan’s native religion of Shintoism has its roots in nature worship and a belief that notable natural features are imbued with divinity. This belief is on grand display in Togakushi, where the five shrines making up the Shinto complex are spread through the forest with trails leading from one to the next. Of the five, the ‘Okusha’ (Upper Shrine) is the best known due to the avenue of giant cedars leading to it. Many of the huge trees are between 400 to 800 years old and considered inhabited by ‘kami’ or ‘the divine’, meaning that they have as much importance as the shrine itself.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Matsushiro, Nagano Nagano Prefecture

Matsushiro is a pleasant suburb of Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture, about 12 km south of the city center, and is distinguished by having its own castle - a reminder of the days when it was a town in its own right.
Matsushiro retains the samurai houses, temples and gardens of its castle town days, has some interesting museums, and even a tunnel complex from World War II.

There is more to see and do in Matsushiro than in the rest of Nagano city, and Matsushiro is the ideal base from which to discover the nearby skiing and hot springs, as well as the artistic town of Obuse.

Duration: 15 minutes

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.