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Things to do in Nagano

Our most recommended things to do in Nagano

Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

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

A great tour for all seasons, this is a 1-day guided tour of the most famous attractions of Nagano City and Jigokudani or “Hell’s Valley”, home of the Snow Monkeys. Take a scenic route to see the cutest monkeys in the world, then experience the tranquility of Zenkoji Temple and lively Nakamise shopping street. For guests traveling from Hakuba, from December through March, your journey can begin with a shuttle from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal at 7:55 AM; otherwise, meet your guide at Nagano Station at 9:35 AM (please be at your chosen pickup point in advance of the meetup time as the tour needs to depart on-time). Famous for being the temple to hold the first Buddhist statue in Japan. Zenkoji Temple has a special energy and welcomes people of all faiths and religions. The temple grounds are beautiful and tranquil; there are hidden gems to explore, such as the dark tunnel running under the temple, said to be where you can gain enlightenment by finding the “Key To Paradise”. After lunch, return to Nagano Station again by public transport and take local bus from there to the Snow Monkeys. World-famous for their rare habit of soaking in the hot spring and living in the snow, these amazing macaques will let you get really close to them for some great photo opportunities and an unforgettable experience. After saying goodbye to the snow monkeys, stroll back along the tranquil forest trail to a delicious lunch at the restaurant near the trail exit. After seeing the Snow Monkeys, head to the local Japanese sake brewery to try various types of sake maybe even find a nice souvenir for yourself.

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

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

This tour takes you from JR Nagano Station to the world-famous Jigokudani snow monkeys and to some of the most beloved cherry blossom viewing spots in Nagano. Seeing the blooming cherry blossoms (called hanami in Japanese) is one of the most Japanese things one can do whilst being in the land of the rising sun. Located in a chilly, mountainous region, northern Nagano’s blossoms start blooming later than those in cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Every year, the blossoms normally come into bloom from the middle of April. Nagano is not as famous as an aforementioned city but has many lovely places where you can see the brightly colored flowers. If you wish to get off the beaten track and see the wild monkeys and cherry blossoms on the same day, this tour is perfect for you. First, you will be taken to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can observe the wild Japanese macaques at an incredibly close distance. April is generally the month when newborn babies arrive to the Jigokudani monkey troop. Usually there are 20 to 30 babies born every spring, and it’s endearing to see the newborns taking their first step and climb. After being filled by a Japanese lunch, the tour will take you to the hanami spots where cherry blossoms can be seen. The spots are selected depending on the degree of bloom of the blossoms on the tour date. Each spot has different types of cherry blossoms with overall more than 500 to 1000 sakura trees. Experience the yearly tradition to welcome spring in full. After enjoying the cherry blossoms, you will be taken to the train that takes you back to JR Nagano Station. The tour is scheduled to conclude at JR Nagano Station by 6:30 PM. Don’t miss this special opportunity to witness Japan’s beautiful spring.

From Nagano: Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

3. From Nagano: Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

Meet your guide at JR Nagano Station and board the tour bus to begin your journey to the fabled Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Arriving at Ogisawa Station around 10:15, prepare for your ascent before boarding the Kanden Tunnel trolley bus at 11:00, the first of a variety of mountain transports you will utilize to reach the summit. Your first stop is the Kurobe Dam. Constructed between 1956 and 1963, this immense structure required the labor of up to 10 million people and is Japan's highest dam. A source of national pride and emblematic of man's attempts to conquer nature, enjoy some time to admire the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains before starting the next leg of your journey toward the summit. Next, head to the Tateyama Ropeway. Spanning 1700 meters, you will be transported upward to the final stop of Daikanbo, before taking the final trolley bus to Murodo. At 2450 meters, this is Japan's highest station – an isolated outpost in an inhospitable, dramatic landscape. Stroll through the iconic snow corridor which rises up 20 meters above you. Enjoy 1.5 to 2 hours of free time to stroll around the area, with enough time to visit the museums before beginning the journey back to Nagano.

November 23: Ebisu-ko Fireworks & Snow Monkey Tour

4. November 23: Ebisu-ko Fireworks & Snow Monkey Tour

Your guide will meet you at Nagano Station at 11:00 and once all guests have arrived, get the tour started by heading toward the Jigokudani Monkey Park. You will be dropped as close as possible to the park before your guide takes you along the forest trail leading into the park itself – 1.6km each way – taking approximately 30 minutes. With no barriers between you and the monkeys, you are free to enjoy watching them bathe, play, fed, and endlessly groom each other – remember to bring your camera, you’re going to need it! From there your guide will take you back along the forest trail and to a nearby restaurant for a well-earned late lunch. Hotaru-tei is housed in a 160-year old merchant family mansion which has quickly established itself as one of the region’s best. In the historic surroundings of this traditional building, you can enjoy Japan and Nagano’s renowned food culture. Leaving the restaurant it’s time to head back to Nagano and get seated for the largest autumn fireworks display in Japan! Held of the banks of the Sai River, this stunning display has been held since 1899, when a group of local merchants first held a bargain sale and daylong fireworks to express their gratitude toward Ebisu – one of Japan’s seven lucky gods – and pray for prosperous business and harvest to come. Over the years the fireworks have grown to what they are today – Japan’s largest autumn fireworks display which attracts an audience of more than 400,000 people! This tour includes reserved seating to ensure you have an uninterrupted view of the fireworks and can enjoy the show in comfort. Running from 18:00 to 20:00, the crisp autumn sky radiates in the light of more than 15,000 individual pyrotechnics, culminating in the dazzling main event which closes out the show. Once done your guide will help you navigate to the crowds back to your bus for the short drive to Nagano Station where the tour concludes at approximately 21:00 to 21:15*.

Osaka+Kyoto, Japan: Mobile WiFi-Kansai International Airport

5. Osaka+Kyoto, Japan: Mobile WiFi-Kansai International Airport

Access the internet anytime, anywhere with 4G LTE mobile WiFi provided by NINJA WiFi. No longer will you have to worry about finding your way without access to maps or missing important updates from friends and family. We have everything covered with our secure, easy to use WiFi routers. You can connect up to 5 devices at once to each router. Whether you are coming to Japan for business and you need to connect multiple phones, computers and/or tablets, to the internet, or are travelling for pleasure with a group of friends or family who all want internet access, we have you covered. Pick up your mobile WiFi router at Kansai International Airport to start using WiFi immediately. We also offer many ways to return your device, whether it be by dropping it off at any of our counters in major Japanese airports, at our counter in Shinjuku, Tokyo, or shipping it to us from anywhere in Japan. *If you wish to have a different return location, please contact info@ninjawifi.com as soon as possible. Mobile WiFi is a 21st century necessity that makes travelling much more fun and easy. We offer flexible plans from 5 days to 30 days, so you can choose what suits you best.

Tokyo: Mobile WiFi Router with Pickup from Narita Airport T1

6. Tokyo: Mobile WiFi Router with Pickup from Narita Airport T1

Access the internet anytime, anywhere with 4G LTE mobile WiFi and easy-to-use WiFi routers. Make sure you can find your way around town with access to maps and stay connected with friends and family while you travel. Enjoy flexible plans from 5 days to 30 days to choose what suits you best. Connect up to 5 devices at once to each router. Whether you are coming to Japan for business and you need to connect multiple phones, computers, and/or tablets to the internet or are travelling for pleasure, your mobile WiFi will have you covered. Pickup your mobile WiFi router at Narita International Airport Terminal 1 to start using WiFi immediately. Return your device by dropping it off at a courier partner in major Japanese airports, at a counter in Shinjuku, Tokyo, or ship it from anywhere in Japan.

Welcome to Nagano: Private Tour with a Local

7. Welcome to Nagano: Private Tour with a Local

Get an exclusive welcome to Nagano on a private tour with a local guide. Transform your way of traveling to make it as much about the people you meet as the places you see.  Follow your friendly local as they share their passion for the place they live. Learn all the tricks to make the most of the city and get tips on the best things to see. Meet in the neighborhood where you are staying to get familiar with the best places to eat and buy groceries. Hear about the easiest ways to get around, and the top things to do. By the end of the tour, you'll feel more comfortable and confident navigating the city on your own, secure in the knowledge that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay!

Tokyo, Japan: Mobile WiFi - pick up in Shinjuku

8. Tokyo, Japan: Mobile WiFi - pick up in Shinjuku

Access the internet anytime, anywhere with 4G LTE mobile WiFi provided by NINJA WiFi. No longer will you have to worry about finding your way without access to maps or missing important updates from friends and family. We have everything covered with our secure, easy to use WiFi routers. You can connect up to 5 devices at once to each router. Whether you are coming to Japan for business and you need to connect multiple phones, computers and/or tablets, to the internet, or are travelling for pleasure with a group of friends or family who all want internet access, we have you covered. Pick it up at our counter located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's just a 3 minute walk from nearby Higashi Shinjuku Station on the Toei Oedo Line or Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, and is near one of Tokyo's major city centers. We also offer many ways to return your device, such as by dropping it off at our counter in Shinjuku, Tokyo, or shipping it to us from anywhere in Japan. You can also drop it off at any of our counters in major Japanese airports: Narita (T1 & T2), Haneda (T3), Kansai (T1), Chubu (T1), Fukuoka (Intl), New Chitose (Intl+Domestic), Asahikawa (Domestic), Komatsu (Domestic) *If you wish to have a different return location, please contact info@ninjawifi.com as soon as possible. *As the Shinjuku Counter is only open on weekdays, those are the only days you can select for starting/ending your reservations, but we also accept extentions as long as you change your drop-off location. Contact the above email if you're interested. Mobile WiFi is a 21st century necessity that makes travelling much more fun and easy. We offer flexible plans from 5 days to 30 days, so you can choose what suits you best.

Other Sightseeing Options in Nagano

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What people are saying about Nagano

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 153 reviews

Highly recommended. We landed at Kansai airport and pick up location is right at the entrance with large English signage. Picked up pocket wifi and it was ready to use. The battery lasted almost 12 hours and comes with a charger cable in case. The coverage and speed are excellent. Quite cheap compared to other providers and sim. I was given two days extension free of charge out of courtesy. Very polite helpful personnel at the store

I'd do this tour again in a heartbeat. The tour of the temple was great, as was learning about the history of the area. The sake tasting was interesting and lunch was quite nice.

A very memorable trip.. December is good timing to visit!! would recommend everybody to join..

Recommended, you can have Internet to guide you where you want to go.

The guide was fantastic. Good humoured and knowledgeable!