15 Nagano Tours to Build a Day Around

1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Sake Tasting, Sake Tastings, Snow Monkey Tours, Temple & Shrine Tours, Tour Reviews, Winter Activities

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

/ July 29, 2026

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Sake Tasting, Sake Tastings, Snow Monkey Tours, Temple & Shrine Tours, Tour Reviews, Winter Activities

Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

/ July 29, 2026

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Lunch Experiences, Nagano Tours, Snow Monkey Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

From Tokyo: Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

/ July 29, 2026

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nagano Tours, Private, Snow Monkey Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

Tokyo: Snow Monkey & Nagano Customiseable Private Day Tour

/ July 31, 2026

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Tours, Nagano Tours, Samurai & Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

/ August 12, 2026

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Castle Tours, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

/ August 15, 2026

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Nagano Tours, Snow Monkey Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

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

/ August 17, 2026

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Wild Japanese Flying Squirrel Watching Tour in Nagano

/ August 20, 2026

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Tours, Full-Day, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley

/ August 20, 2026

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

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

/ August 21, 2026

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Onsen & Hot Springs, Private, Sake Tasting, Sake Tastings, Snow Monkey Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

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

/ August 22, 2026

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Tours, Nagano Tours, Samurai & Ninja Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

/ August 23, 2026

12.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $88

Tour Matsumoto Castle and dress like a samurai for a hands-on sword lesson, with a guided climb and family-friendly kata in 3 hours.

“This was one of the highlights for us. Weren’t rushed and has a lovely tour of the Matsumoto Castle which is beautiful. The samurai experience was so much fun and would definitely do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bar Hopping & Izakaya Tours, Drinking Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

/ August 26, 2026

13.Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $111

Taste Nagano by night on a small-group izakaya tour. Five dishes, two drinks, and guide photos, with easy meeting at MIDORI Nagano.

“Very tasty and memorable selection of dining experiences - one of our favorite food tours. Thank you so much Masa! A pleasure to meet you and we'll certainly reach out on future trips to the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Tours, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

/ August 27, 2026

14.Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

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

Follow samurai paths, meet Nawate frogs, and stroll Nakamachi Street with an English guide, plus skip-the-queue Matsumoto Castle entry.

“Tom is an excellent guide and having lived in Japan for so many years, has a unique perspective which is refreshing and interesting. I would attend any tour guides by him in a heartbeat. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Food, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Temple & Shrine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

/ August 27, 2026

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

A 3-hour Zenkoji food walk in Nagano with **oyaki**, matcha sweets, and sake, plus 1400-year temple history and great photos.

“I booked this tour at the last minute and ended up being the only one! Masa-san was lovely, gracious and kind with his time as I took pictures and explored. I highly recommend this tour if you are looking to add an element of unique/local flaiRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review