Top Nagano Nature and Wildlife Tours

Experience the dramatic mountain landscape of Chubu Sangaku National Park and visit the immense snow walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This day trip departs from Nagano Station and includes a ticket for round-trip rail transport with your guide. Traveling with a maximum of 15 passengers in your small group ensures an intimate atmosphere.

Avoid the risk of getting lost in the Japanese Alps when you take a private day hike with a guide. Enjoy an easy two-hour walk along the Nakasendo Trail between two traditional villages, Magome and Tsumago. Learn more about Japanese history and culture from your guide, and enjoy getting some exercise in the beautiful landscape.

Japan’s Nagano prefecture is widely regarded as the country’s winter capital, due to its snowy landscapes and premium ski spots. Visit one of Japan’s most famous winter spots on a 3.5-hour tour of Jigokudani Monkey Park from Shimotakai-gun. Marvel at red-faced Japanese macaques as they bathe in steaming ‘onsen’ (hot springs) and follow walking trails rife with flora and fauna.

Explore the magnificent temples and natural wonders of Nagano on a full-day tour and benefit from the undivided attention of a private guide. Visit the famous Zenkoji Temple and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, enjoy lunch (own expense) in Obuse Town, then choose a soak in the hot springs at Shibu Onsen.

This 1-day tour from Nagano accompanied by an English-speaking National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter visits a miso brewery to watch the miso production process in Nagano Prefecture, Japan’s leading miso-producing region; and Jigokudani Monkey Park, which is famous as a place where Japanese macaques soak in hot springs during the cold season. Miso is a traditional food in Japan which has been sustaining the dietary life of the Japanese since ancient times. To watch how miso is made, a historical brewery established about 300 years ago. Obuse, a town famous for chestnuts, is the place for lunch. Jigokudani Monkey Park is where the behavior of Japanese macaques can be seen up close in every season. As they soak in hot springs characteristic of winter, these Japanese macaques are also called snow monkeys, and have become a famous attraction. visitors can enjoy seeing cute baby monkeys during their birth season in spring, and the charming sight of lively young monkeys.

Enjoy fun winter activities and visit the famous Japanese snow monkeys during this full-day trip to Shiga Kogen, Japan’s largest and highest ski resort. Start off with some fun in the snow where you for sledding, snow bikes, and snow scooters. After a warm and hearty lunch, head to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can observe the famous wild macaques bathing in the hot springs.

・Start the tour with a safe ride along the lakeside bike path to get used to the e-bike's controls. ・Drink the natural water from the lake coming from 200 metres below the ground. Take your own bottle with you on tour if you have one! ・Enjoy a pleasant cycling experience while feeling the highland breezes and mountain views. Our bikes make it easy to ride up even steep hills which looks impossible to climb! ・A downhill section will take you all the way down the Venus Line! Feel like your on a rollercoaster thrill ride that's sure to refresh you! ・Take the bike path through the forest. A spectacular view awaits you.

Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned. Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan. Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.

Experience the nature and culture of beautiful Nagano on this all-day excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup, head out with an informative local guide and bicycle through apple orchards along the Chikuma River, watch macaques bathe in their natural habitat at Snow Monkey Park, relax in a hot spring at Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen villages, and treat yourself to delicious chestnuts in Obuse.

Home to some of Japan’s highest mountains and most stunning alpine vistas, Central Japan is a region which will impress the traveler with the breadth of activities it has to offer. From historical sites, to unique culture, to world-class nature, there is something for everyone. On this private tour, guests will be able to visit the over 400 year old Matsumoto Castle, followed by a trip high into the Japanese Alps to enjoy a hike in the fresh mountain air of Kamikochi, a secluded valley that is considered the gem of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park. Guests on this tour are free to mix and match their starting and end points from the following locations: Nagano City or Matsumoto City. For example, you may start at Nagano City and end in Matsumoto City, or start in Matsumoto City and end in Nagano City, or start and end in the same city. For this reason, this tour is ideal for customers looking to travel through Central Japan while visiting its key sites.

For those looking to escape the bustling city and embark on a peaceful adventure, this self-guided tour along Nakasendo road was made for you. Become immersed in Japan’s countryside lifestyle as you make your way between Nakatsugawa and Tsumago. A detailed itinerary is sent to you, complete with a walking map, so all you have to do is pack your bags and complete the walk.

This is a special lunch experience only available on this day, with part of the space with a spectacular view by Lake Shirakaba reserved for private use. A sommelier who runs a wine shop in Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, will be your host, and you can enjoy a one-plate meal made with the bounty of the Yatsugatake mountains, paired with local liquor and soft drinks, mainly wines from Nagano Prefecture.

Only a couple of hours from Tokyo, this sacred Togakushi Shinto-Shrine can easily be visited in a day trip. Togakushi shrine is like no other. Far from the usual tourist destination, it is a true hidden gem. The Togakushi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, in Japan. Mt. Togakushi is where Togakushi shrine sits and it is in the National Park called Myoukou Togakushi Renzan National Park. Discover hidden hiking routes that you likely wouldn’t find alone on this guided tour. We begin our exploration of ancient pilgrimage trails at Togakushi, where a steep sometimes but not too long, such as going up the stairs to the shrines and hiking mountain path. We walk the old trails called “Togakushi Kodo” and you will see old Shinto statues and beautiful, great, spiritual cedars, line our route along the way to our destination of Okusha. We will visit 3 shrines and also enjoy having Togakushi soba(Togakushi Soba is ranked in top 3 soba in Japan) for a lunch.

Explore Suwa-Taisha shrine, considered one of the oldest shrines in the country, and Buppou-syoryuji Temple with a guide to discover the world of natural faith. Experience the essence of natural faith up close through a special "dedication performance of Osuwa Daiko" at Buppou-syoryuji Temple. Engage in an exchange with Mr. YAMAMOTO Makoto, the guardian of Osuwa Daiko, who played a pivotal role in shaping today's Japanese drumming culture, and hear about his passion for the drums.

Visit the Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), named after the plumes of steam shooting out of the ground, as well as the smell of brimstone. Not as scary as it sounds, however, it is a truly memorable experience safe for all ages. After visiting with the Monkeys we offer you the exclusive look into the historic Onsen Village of Shibu. This village was frequented by Samurai, poets, and travellers alike; all looking to recharge and heal wearied or battle-damaged bodies. Good fortune is said to come to those who bathe in each of the Onsens in town. This village is a picture from the past. As you stroll through the narrow streets lined with traditional buildings, some hundreds of years old, you might just get to see some more wild monkeys as they try to scavenge food! Our professional, experienced, English-speaking staff can offer the bilingual service that ensures peace of mind and an unforgettable day tour to your already memorable holiday here in Japan!

The Yatsugatake area flourished most during the Jomon period, when it was prosperous and peaceful for over 10,000 years, and is still a place where people cherish their relationship with nature while making use of the limited blessings of nature. Since ancient times, there have been many people who were skilled at horseback riding, and during the Kamakura period, the jockeys who were in charge of Yabusame events in Kamakura were also people from Suwa. Hope Lodge, which has been operating at Lake Shirakaba for several decades, has continued to offer horseback riding experiences here for many years and continues to teach many people how to interact with horses. Why not spend some special time in a place rich with nature and get a glimpse of the lives of people who have been working with horses for many years?

Visit Snow Monkey Park, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Nagano, on your bike at your own pace. Watch monkeys bathing in hot springs and playing on the riverbed up close as long as you want. Bikerentals are the best way if you looking for an exiting and unforgettable activitiy. You can enjoy not only the park also the nature and scenery of Nagano on the way while planning your itinerary. We are the only bikerentals shop that offer cross bikes, Ebikes, and road bikes made by Trekbikes in Obuse and the closest store to Nagano Station. Bikes for the tall are available. You can get helpful safety and route tips from our local cyclist staff.

Starting from the shores of Lake Shirakaba, you cycle with a guide on a fashionable e-Bike along the Kirigamine Venus Line with its spectacular views from the Yatsugatake Mountains to Mt.Fuji. Before setting off, a safety course is given, so even first-time e-bike riders can feel at ease. You can also start the tour by refilling your bottle of clean spring water at a spring water spot by Lake Shirakaba early in the tour. This is a special guided tour where you can experience the rich nature of Lake Shirakaba and the Yatsugatake Mountains first-hand. The views are so spectacular that you will want to take photos. At Kurumayama-kata highland, halfway along the Kirigamine, you can get off the e-Bike and have a relaxing time at a café on the plateau. This tour is a great way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Kirigamine.