Japan’s 9 Best Temples and Shrines in Nagano

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

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

Visit Zenko-ji, taste Nagano sake, enjoy a local lunch, and meet snow monkeys on this well-organized full-day tour from Nagano.

“This was a well planned out amazing tour. The Temple was amazing. The lunch was great the Sake tasing was great but the snow monkeys were the best part. There were so many monkeys everywhere. We will never forget this trip. Our tour guide Brent was very knowledgeable and gave us plenty of free time to explore each thing.”

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

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

Visit Zenkoji Temple, taste Nagano sake, enjoy a generous local lunch, and see snow monkeys on this well-paced guided day trip.

“The day trip was absolutely amazing - exploring the temple, sake tasting and the food was so much more than expected and sooo yummy!! The snow monkeys were incredibly cute and fascinating to watch. Tom is one of the best tour guides we've ever had - very informative, funny and genuinely kind. He even took the time to AirDrop locations and recommendations for places to go on the coach ride home, which was such a thoughtful touch, along with handing out stickers. If you want to see the snow monkeys, you must do this trip! It's 100% worth the money. Thank you”

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3.[Nagoya Kamikochi Hiking Tour] One-Day Nature Forest Hiking Tour of Kamikochi & Taisho Pond & Tashiro Pond & Kappa Bridge & Myojin Pond & Hotaka Mountain Range & Hotaka Shrine Okumiya (Departure from Nagoya)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 423 reviews · 11 hours · from $44Best value

Ride from Nagoya to Kamikochi with a Chinese- or English-speaking guide, then spend about 3.5 hours exploring independently. Choose the easy 3.5 km walk from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge or the longer route toward Myojin Pond and Hotaka Shrine. Pack lunch, rain gear, and warm layers.

“The weather was great, the scenery was wonderful, and our tour guide, Siesy, was also fantastic.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

Taste oyaki, sake, matcha, and local sweets while exploring Zenkoji’s back streets and 1,400 years of Nagano culture.

“Masu is a fantastic guide. We had a few hours in Nagano after leaving our onsen in Shibu before heading to Kyoto. Masu only does very small tours, up to 8 people, and my husband and I were the only 2 on our tour. Masu knows secret, local pRead more”

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

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

Review of a private Tokyo to Nagano snow monkey and Zenkoji Temple tour, with luxury transport, flexible stops, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“The activity was amazing! And the driver was very nice and punctual. Would definitely do again!”

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6.Nagano: Snow Monkeys & Togakushi Shrine Two-Spot in-One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 8 hours · from $202

Review of Nagano’s private snow monkey and Togakushi Shrine tour, with local guides, private transport, lunch tips, walking advice, and value details.

“My brother and niece had a fun day. It was great that the guide was flexible and accommodating with children. I'd book this tour again for other friends and family coming to Japan.”

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7.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Review of Nagano’s winter day tour from Nozawa Onsen, with snow monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple, lunch, sake tasting, and practical tips.

“We had a great day out with Yama! We loved that there were only two large groups. The monkeys were great fun to watch and the walk through snow laden pines to see them was lovely! Lunch was a welcome surprise and we really enjoRead more”

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8.1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninja Town, and Hidden Shrines

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $166

Review of Nagano’s Togakushi day tour, with soba making, sacred shrines, a ninja trick house, transport, lunch, and practical tips.

“My wife and I and our 12 year-old granddaughter really enjoyed the nature hike and Ninja tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and helpful. We learned a lot about Shintoism and the various types of plants in the park. The tall trees weRead more”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Taste oyaki, sake, soba tea, and matcha while exploring Zenkoji’s 1,400-year-old temple town in a small English-led group.

“An excellent tour to learn more about Nagano. Has lots of variety and Masa provided the history of each destination. Good food and sake tasting spots for a little break on the tour.”

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