8 Temple and Shrine Tours in Nagano Worth Booking

1.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide at Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, a Japanese lunch, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Kieran, Nadine, and Dylan have led recent departures. Expect a forest walk, possible winter ice, and free time at each major stop.

“We had an amazing day on this tour! The itinerary was well balanced which included a good amount of time to experience the snow monkeys. In addition, the sake tasting and the visit to the temple was also very good. The lunch was amazing and comforting. Thank you to our guide Dylan who did a great job!”

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2.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Spend a full day with an English-speaking guide exploring Zenko-ji Temple, tasting local sake, eating a Nagano-style lunch, and walking to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom, Hiroshi, and Kevin have helped make the day informative and easy to manage. Winter pickups from Hakuba are available.

“We liked everything, Luka was very friendly and helpful. The meal was one of the best we had in Japan. At the monkeys forrest was very cold, but it was a fairytale place to walk.”

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3.Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

Meet your guide outside Starbucks at Nagano Station for a three-hour walk through Zenkoji’s temple town. Try irori-cooked oyaki, sake, miso soup, matcha, and Japanese sweets while visiting local shops, shrines, and back streets. Guides such as Masa, Kasumi, and Tak add history, photographs, and local insight. The group can reach 15 people.

“Our family had a great tour with Masa while on a stopover in Nagano. The food was delicious, and it was interesting to get a more personal perspective on the sights we visited. We would definitely recommend this one to anyone!”

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4.Nagano/Tokyo: Snow Monkey and Zenkoji Temple Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews

Travel from Tokyo to Nagano in a private luxury vehicle with an English-speaking driver such as Ali, Fahad, Hadi, or Raza. Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, Obuse, Shibu Onsen, and more. The route can change to suit your group, but expect a long day with several hours on the road.

“The snow monkeys and the temple were amazing. The best part of the tour was the tour driver. Raza was very friendly, nice and accommodating. He made breaks whenever we wanted and even asked if we wanted to go to more places. Definitely recommend Raza.”

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5.Snow Monkeys & Togakushi Shrine Two-Spot in-One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 8 hours · from $202

Travel by private car from Nagano, Myoko, Nozawaonsen, Togakushi, Joetsu, or nearby areas to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Togakushi Shrine. English-speaking guides such as Shuhei, Kazu, Chris, and Dai tailor the day, recommend local soba, and take photos for delivery after the tour.

“Taketo was a great host / guide and i had a wonderful day exploring the snow monkey park and shrine. I also enjoyed great food, coffee and company.”

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6.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Sake Brewery. The day includes park entry, lunch, temple guiding, and sake tasting. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led past departures, and winter boots are essential for the icy 1.6 km forest walk.

“Great day out with a fantastic guide and safe driver. Lunch was very tasty too! The guide was very knowledgeable and shared information in an easy going manner.”

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7.1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninja Town, and Hidden Shrines

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $166

Travel from Nagano to sacred Togakushi for a hands-on soba lesson, lunch, Chusha Shrine, and the Ninja Museum’s puzzle-filled Trick House. An English-speaking guide handles transport and admissions. Expect forest paths, cool mountain weather, and a long walk toward the cedar avenue rather than the Upper Shrine itself.

“My wife and I and our 12 year-old granddaughter really enjoyed the nature hike and Ninja tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and helpful. We learned a lot about Shintoism and the various types of plants in the park. The tall trees weRead more”

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8.Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours · from $88Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Starbucks in Nagano Station and walk through the Zenkoji temple town. You’ll taste two oyaki dumplings, soba tea, sake with small bites, matcha, and sweets. Guides such as Masa and Takuma share local history, introduce neighborhood businesses, and take photos for you. Expect stairs, walking, and no stroller access.

“The tour was fantastic! Our guide was very knowledgeable. The temples were beautiful and sake and food was delicious! A perfect tour if you are short of time.”

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