The 15 Best Nagano Tours & Alpine Day Trips

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

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

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

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

Spend a full day in Nagano: Zenko-ji Temple, guided sake tasting, and Jigokudani snow monkeys with lunch and practical winter tips.

“Was an amazing tour. Shawn and Yama, our guides, were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and patient with the large group. The only suggestion I would offer is maybe including a pin drop for the pick up location for those of us who don't know the area but otherwise an incredible experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

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

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

Zenko-ji Temple, sake tasting and a real wild encounter with snow monkeys bathing in hot springs, plus a mountain-style lunch.

“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 Park Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

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

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 guided snow monkey visit in Jigokudani, plus optional Kamakura snow huts.

“The tour was amazing. Starting with a delicious sukiyaki lunch, it only got better. The snow monkeys and snow hut village were enchanting. Ichiro was nothing short of spectacular. He expertly guided us through the entire journey and his love and enthusiasm made a great trip even better. Overall, an excellent and very happy and memorable experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Tokyo: Snow Monkey & Nagano Customiseable Private Day Tour

4.Snow Monkey & Nagano Customiseable Private Day Tour

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

A customizable private day from Tokyo to Nagano, hitting the Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, onsen towns, and castle ruins in luxury.

“Great day out- Alex was very flexible with our plans. We went from hakuba to see the monkeys and then we went to a lovely Onsen nearby! Great day out thanks Alex!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Visits in Nagano, Historic Castle Visits, Nagano Tours, Samurai Sword & Ninja Training, Tour Reviews, Tours

Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

5.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

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

Matsumoto Castle meets samurai training in a 3-hour guided tour with katana stances, costumes, and a National Treasure tower visit.

“Loved the whole experience. Matsumoto castle was really impressive, and our guide Naomi provided all sorts of valuable insights. Master Kai was awesome, and the samurai experience was truly special for me and my friends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Castle Visits in Nagano, Historic Castle Visits, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

One day to pair Matsumoto Castle with Kamikochi in the Japan Alps, with guided walks, included tickets, and transport handled.

“Travel guide Shin was excellent. Explained the highlights of the locations visited. Very patient. Kamikochi is a very nice place. Just as expected.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Visits in Nagano, Full-Day, Historic Castle Visits, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley

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

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

A 12-hour day trip pairing **Matsumoto Castle** and the alpine wonder of **Kamikochi**, with guided history and valley walking.

“Excellent! Our guide Shin was fantastic. The scenery and walking were terrific. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Drinking Tours in Nagano, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Nagano, Hot Spring Baths, Nagano Tours, Private, Sake Brewery Visits, Sake Tasting, Sake Tastings in Nagano, Snow Monkey Park Trips, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

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

8.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 Shibu Onsen, with pickup, guide, and flexible pacing.

“We had a wonderful day with Hori! He was very knowledgeable about Nagano and we saw some beautiful landmarks. Our favorite was the snow monkey park!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Visits in Nagano, Historic Castle Visits, Nagano Tours, Samurai Sword & Ninja Training, Tour Reviews, Tours

Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

9.Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $88

Tour Matsumoto Castle inside and train samurai kata with your chosen sword and outfit, led by an English guide in 3 hours.

“The most memorable part was our versatile tour guide and Samuri-sword instructor to keep all members of our party engaged in a once in a lifetime experience!!! We will always remember this guided tour for the unique, very Japanese experience that not many get.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Drinking Tours, Drinking Tours in Nagano, Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Nagano, Izakaya & Bar Crawls, Local Food Walks, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

10.Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

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

A 3-hour small-group izakaya food tour in Nagano with five dishes, two drinks, and night photos, led by guides who know where to go.

“I had a wonderful evening with Masa. I was is only customer, so I had is full attention. The establishments we visited were all very authentic and the food was very good. I especially liked the soba noodles and pickles made by one of the izakaya owner, a woman in her eighties. Masa is very knowledgeable about is hometown and about all there is to do around Nagano. I highly recommend his tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Castle Visits in Nagano, Historic Castle Visits, Nagano Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Nagano

Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

11.Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour

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

Follow samurai footpaths to Matsumoto Castle, spot frogs on Nawate Street, then stroll Nakamachi cafes with an English guide.

“We had a very interesting and cheerful tour from Matsumoto Stadion to the castle and through some historic side streets. The guide was very friendly and accommodating, with extensive historical knowledge. He addressed our questions and wishes. We highly recommend this tour to everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

Taste Nagano the local way near Zenkoji temple, with oyaki, matcha, and sake, plus small-group history walks and photos.

“Masa was a wonderful host and guide. As it was just the two of use it turned out to be a private tour. He speaks excellent English having lived many years in the UK and together with his knowledge of history and local culture really made the tour “alive”. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nagano Tours, Private, Shrine & Temple Visits, Shrine & Temple Visits in Nagano, Snow Monkey Park Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Winter Activities

Nagano/Tokyo: Snow Monkey and Zenkoji Temple Private Tour

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · from $505

Private Nagano day trip from Tokyo to see snow monkeys at Jigokudani, tour Zenko-ji, plus Obuse, hot springs, and castle ruins.

“We were a family of 3 planning a day trip to Nagano region and Jigokudani Monkey Park and had chanced upon this private tour package. The day started right on time. Both Zohaib and Adnan were very professional and accommodating to our requests throughout the trip. Will recommend this tour package to anyone who prefers to tour in a private group setting.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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

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

Spend 1.5 hours playing in Shiga Kogen snow, then hike to Jigokudani Snow Monkeys in hot springs, with lunch and guide included.

“The snow scooters at the park were very fun, and lunch was great! The snow monkey park was absolutely beautiful, and the monkeys made it even better. My husband and I enjoyed the hike itself as much as we enjoyed watching the monkeys. Hiroshi and Hana were wonderful guides, and we loved chatting with them. We did this as a day trip from Tokyo and highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Nagano: 1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring

15.Nagano: 1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring

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

JR Nagano to Jigokudani macaques and spring hanami. English guide, lunch, and northern Nagano sakura viewpoints in one 9-hour day.

“Our original tour was cancelled due to the late blooming of Cherry Blossoms however this alternative offered more than made up for it. Eniko was a lovely guide and gave us a great commentary throughout the day. The tour was great. My only suggestion is the speaker could be a bit louder on the bus so we can hear all the great commentary and knowledge the guides have to share. Otherwise a great time with a good mixture of people”

Check availability →Read our full review