15 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.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · 1 day · from $151

Travel from Shinjuku to Nagano by coach, stop for beef sukiyaki at Shinshu Fruitsland, then walk about 30 minutes to Jigokudani Monkey Park. English-speaking guides such as Ichiro, Mai, and Maki help keep the long day organized. Winter departures from January 23 to March 1, 2026 also visit Kamakura snow huts.

“What a great day! Total was 12 hours. Definitely value for money. Maki was an excellent tour guide. Both driver did a great job. Snow monkeys were a highlight. Possibly could have reiterated appropriate footwear for the 40 min, plus return walk on snow and ice a little more. Lovely lunch and appreciated the igloo stop on the second half of the tour. Really enjoyed!”

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4.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 128 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Meet your English-speaking guide at Matsumoto Station, walk to 400-year-old Matsumoto Castle, then dress as a samurai and learn basic katana stances from a sword instructor. Guides such as Shin, Tim, Naomi, and Matt have been praised for clear history talks and helpful photographs. Expect steep castle stairs, cold floors, and a small-group feel.

“Excellent tour. Knowledgeable, personable guide. Fabulous Samurai instructor - she was enthusiastic, supportive and an excellent teacher. Recommend.”

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5.1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $201

Travel from Nagano or Matsumoto to Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi with an English-speaking guide. Explore the castle and Nawate-dori, then walk beside Kamikochi’s rivers, ponds, forests, and mountain peaks. The day includes guided visits and free time, with transport provided throughout. Guides such as Shin and Endo are noted for clear explanations and friendly help.

“Excellent day trip from Nagano. Matsumoto castle was fabulous as was the hike in the Japanese Alps. Our guide Shin did a great job leading the group and explaining everything.”

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6.Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 78 reviews · 12 hours · from $180

Travel by coach from Nagano or Matsumoto to original Matsumoto Castle, browse frog-themed Nawate-Dori, then walk beside Kamikochi’s clear rivers beneath the Northern Alps. An English-speaking guide such as Joyce, Jens, Shin, or Devin leads the day. Expect 12 hours, plenty of walking, steep castle stairs, and a late return to Nagano.

“The trip was amazing! The guide Joyce and the driver were super kind with us! We highly recommend this tour. Thank you!”

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7.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide and transport. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and possibly the Hokusai Museum, with time for local food, sake, or an onsen. Guides such as Hori, Mutsumi, and Fumiko have helped tailor the day to families, older visitors, and special interests.

“WeiWei was wonderful and very knowledgeable about the local towns, foods, culture and monkeys :) She was very patient as we stayed with the monkeys for over an hour taking photos and observing them. We had a great time with her, and highly suggest booking a private tour, so you can go at your own pace with the monkeys, saki tasting, and a bit more of a local's experience.”

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8.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $88

Meet at Matsumoto Station for a guided visit to National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, then dress as a samurai and learn basic katana movements at Nakamachi Kurassic-kan. Guides such as Tim, Naomi, Kei, and Tom add local history and humor. The swords are theatrical, and the session uses safe kata rather than cutting.

“This was a fantastic experience. Walking to the Matsumoto castle we had about 20 min. to get information about Japan's history especially around the Matsumoto area. Our guide, Tom, was extremely knowledgeable about the area as he has been in Japan for 30 years and has been a teacher (and other jobs). We got several great photos and really enjoyed learning about the history and seeing the castle. Note that the stairs are very steep and large steps (almost like going up a step ladder) and there are about 5 floors in the castle. There is also a few low beams to watch for (it is an old castle). After…”

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9.Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 3 hours · from $63Best value

Start at Matsumoto Station and follow old samurai routes to Matsumoto Castle, then explore Nawate Street and Nakamachi. An English-speaking guide such as Tom, Shin, Naomi, or Kei explains castle design, local customs, and city history. The small-group format allows time for questions, shops, photos, and a slower look at Matsumoto.

“Naomi was amazing, she was so informative and just a beautiful soul! My wife and I were on our honeymoon and this tour made our trip! Couldn’t recommend Naomi as a tour guide enough!”

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10.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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11.1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 9 hours · from $165

Travel from Nagano or Yudanaka to Shiga Kogen for 1.5 hours of snow play, a Japanese or Western lunch, and a guided visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Endo, Kieran, Dylan, and Jens have helped make the day easy and friendly. Bring waterproof shoes, warm layers, and traction for the icy 1.6km trail.

“It was absolutely amazing! Our tour Lyndsey was great! The whole trip was really fun and worth the money. 10/10”

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12.1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 9 hours · from $135

Travel from Nagano Station to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques roam close by, then enjoy lunch and visit cherry blossom sites chosen for peak bloom. English-speaking guides such as Dai, Kevin, and Endo keep the day moving and explain the region. Expect a long walk to the park and no guarantee of monkeys in the hot spring.

“It was an amazing day. Monkeys, blossoms and the most incredible lunch. Exceeded expectations!”

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13.Matsumoto Discovery – Half Day Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $64

Meet your English-speaking National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter at Matsumoto Station for a private or small-group walk through the castle town. Spend about two hours at Matsumoto Castle, then explore Nawate and Nakamachi streets. Guides such as Tom, Naomi, Shin, and Sylvain tailor the route to your interests, with museums, Daio Wasabi Farm, and local food possible additions.

“Good guide, fun to get around Matsumoto and get to know the history of the town. Can highly recommend.”

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14.From Matsumoto/Nagano: Nakasendo Trail Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 33 reviews · 1 day · from $189

Meet your English-speaking guide at Matsumoto or Nagano, then ride into the Kiso Valley for an 8-km guided walk from Tsumago to Magome. Expect cobbled Edo-era paths, waterfalls, rural roads, mountain scenery, and restored post-town buildings. Guides such as Shawn, Kim, Joyce, and Sijung are known for keeping a steady pace and adding useful local context.

“Fantastic hike on the Nakasendo trail from Tsumago to Magome. Kim, our guide was very knowledgeable and happily answered our numerous questions along our way. We lucked upon a beautiful day for the hike too.”

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15.1-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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