The 9 Best Walking Tours in Nagano

1.Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 3 hours · from $63Our pick

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91Top rated

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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3.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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4.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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5.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $64

Walk from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple with an English-speaking local guide such as Masa, Kazumi, or Masashi. Taste more than five Nagano sakes, three amazake drinks, plum wine, miso soup, and Japanese pickles, then visit a 120-year-old former sake factory. The two-hour tour ends back at the station.

“Mass was an incredible tour guide! Since it was just my husband and me on the tour, he customized everything to ensure we saw, ate, and drank everything we wanted.”

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6.Wasabi Farm Walking Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $70

Visit Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino with a private guide and learn how Japan’s famous green root is grown in clear mountain water. The roughly two-hour tour includes an English-speaking guide, a Shinshu-style lunch with fresh wasabi, and time to explore the farm’s fields, museum, and shops. Guides such as Akiko, Naomi, Tom, Tim, and Carole have helped make the visit both informative and personal.

“It was a very interesting experience to learn more about wasabi. Our tour guide was wonderful! The wasabi plant is unique and beautiful.”

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7.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Spend two hours walking from Starbucks at MIDORI Nagano to Zenkoji and nearby sake shops. Taste more than five local sakes, three amazake drinks, plum wine, miso soup, soy sauce beans, and pickles. English-speaking guides such as Masa and Marcel also share local food tips and take casual photos.

“Masa was a great guide, showed us more than we expected around Nagano including his favourite eating spots and local delicacies.”

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

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

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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9.Tateyama-Kurobe Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 day · from $232

From Nagano, you’ll cross Japan’s Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route by bus, trolley bus, electric car, and ropeway. An English-speaking guide such as Kieron, Orlando, Luki, or Jans leads a gentle walk around Murodo, explains mountain worship, and keeps the many transfers on time. Bring lunch and warm layers.

“Kieron was a wonderful guide and went above and beyond for all guests. He had so much information about the region and helped us navigate each step of our journey respectfully. There is a lot of travel and transportation involved on the tour but it makes it easier with a guide.”

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