15 Nagano Tours to Build a Day Around

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

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

Zenko-ji, guided sake tasting, and Jigokudani snow monkeys in one full day in Nagano, with lunch and transport included.

“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.Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

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

Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano lunch, sake tasting, then the Snow Monkey Park for hot-spring monkey viewing with an English-speaking guide.

“Definitely recommend this tour! The whole experience was amazing and a must do if you are coming to Japan! Thank you to Dylan and Luca for making our experience enjoyable and sharing with us your knowledge.”

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3.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

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

Tokyo to Nagano for beef sukiyaki lunch and a close-up visit to Jigokudani snow monkeys, plus winter snow huts for select dates.

“Everything was great. Our tour guide was excellent. He was very mellow and very prepared. He was very kind. Overall the tour was excellent.”

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4.Snow Monkey & Nagano Customiseable Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 138 reviews · 1 day · from $466

Luxury private day from Tokyo to Jigokudani snow monkeys and Nagano temples, with door-to-door transfers, Wi-Fi, and customizable stops.

“We had an Awesome time at the Snow Monkeys and other sites. Our driver Baba went above and beyond to make sure we were having a good time. He even drove us to other places that was well out of his way. (My wife needed a quick hospital visit) Great guy. Would definitely recommend him to anyone.”

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5.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

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

National Treasure Matsumoto Castle meets a hands-on katana class, guided in English for about 3 hours from Matsumoto Station.

“Shin is a great guide with lots of historical details and openness to questions, helping you understand everything you see and enjoy the trip. Matsumoto castle has a beautiful landscape and much to see both inside and outside; and the samurai experience is also worth it, since it’s a great history lesson and a fun closure to the trip. Really recommended! PS. It’s a small group, so it feels like a private tour and less crowds help enjoy even more PS 2. Shin was extra caring and helpful with me since I’m pregnant, always asking how I felt, giving me seats, etc, as well as our samurai teacher”

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

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

A small-group day trip pairing Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi, with guided walks, included admission, and transport handled end to end.

“The ride up to the castle and National Park were fun and made that much more interesting by the guide provided to us. The random wildlife made it feel like you were one with nature...at least as close you can get within a controlled environmRead more”

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7.1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $184

Ride sleds and snow scooters at Shiga Kogen, then hike to Jigokudani to see snow monkeys soaking in hot springs, with lunch included.

“Seeing the snow monkeys up close. Was lucky enough to see quite a few of them with their little babies. Also enjoyed the trip up to play in the snow.”

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8.Wild Japanese Flying Squirrel Watching Tour in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $28Best value

Spot Japan’s giant flying squirrel in Karuizawa with a guide-led lesson at Picchio, binoculars included, then a quiet canopy search at 4 pm.

“We met at the Karuizawa Wild Life Sanctuary where our tour guide (I cannot place his name at the moment but was absolutely lovely) walked us through the ecology of the Musasabi (Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel) before taking the grouRead more”

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

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

English guided day trip from Nagano to Matsumoto Castle, Frog Street, and Kamikochi Alpine Valley with transport and entry.

“This was a great way to get to see both Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi. Both were absolutely fantastic. Our guide Shin was really gracious and helpful. Personally, I would reduce the amount of time before and after the castle to get an earlier start for Kamikochi. Starting and ending at Matsumoto and arriving back at a bit after 6PM was fine for us. Leaving and ending in Nagano would have made for a really looong day though. All in all, a fantastic day!”

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10.(Spring Only) 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $254

A spring-only day trip from Nagano to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route snow walls, with guided transport and Kurobe Dam views.

“Fantastic tour! Both guides Keiran and Marie were nice, knowledgeable and organised which made the day smooth! Adequate time at each stop to take in the sights. Given the price, tour should've had lunch included I think but I can undeRead more”

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

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

Private Nagano day trip with snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse sake and shopping, plus a relaxing Shibu Onsen soak.

“We had an amazing tour guide. Great experience, totally worth it. Perfect tour for groups and families.”

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12.1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen

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

9-hour Shiga Kogen snow fun and Jigokudani snow monkeys, with lunch, fees, and an English guide from Nagano and Yudanaka.

“Kevin was an excellent guide made sure our every needs were met. Clear, informative and accommodating were greatly appreciated. We would recommend this tour and tour guide .”

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13.From Nagano: Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 45 reviews · 1 day · from $232

One-day Nagano Alpine Route tour to Kurobe Dam, ropeway rides, and Murodo snow corridor at 2450 m, with an English guide.

“our tour guide Orlando was excellent, knowledgeable, very obliging and patient..we had ample time to spend at the ice wall corridor n all transportation to every station was well managed and orderly...Orlando did a great job..”

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14.From Matsumoto/Nagano: Nakasendo Trail Walking Tour

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

Guided walk on the Nakasendo Trail from Tsumago to Magome, with waterfalls, misty breaks, and roundtrip coach from Matsumoto or Nagano.

“Our family group consisted of a 76 yr old, a 69 yr old, a 36 yr old & a 33 yr old. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and could not speak more highly of Shawn, our friendly tour guide, and of our excellent coach captain who transported us safely. It was so nice to be out of the cities and in picturesque, natural surroundings The hike is a little challenging but so worth the effort. Shawn ensures everyone moves at a comfortable pace, briefing us re points of interest and ensuring we made the most of the day. When we were dropped back to Matsumoto & realised our forward travel…”

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15.Nagano/Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $180

Samurais, frogs, and a preserved post town in Kiso Valley. One guided day from Nagano to Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku.

“The tour was really fun and informative. Our tour guide, Shawn, shared a lot of historical and cultural stories about the locations we were visiting and also the region surrounding us. Matsumoto castle is a great part of the regional history and definitely worth a visit. Be prepared for very steep narrow stairs. We also strolled down the nearby “Frog Street” and visited the shops and temple and had a delicious lunch of a regional fried chicken dish. We then visited the Edo-era town of Narai-juku. A very quaint well preserved post town. Many of the shops were closed, as the majority of their business is on the weekends, but…”

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