12 Day Trips in Nagano, Ranked by Travellers

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

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

A full day in Nagano combining Zenko-ji Temple, a guided sake tasting, and the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park for a classic winter wildlife fix.

“Our guide Tom was a great guide! He was fun to listen to and super knowledgeable about the locations we visited. He made learning about the history really fun. Zenkoji temple was beautiful and the snack recommendations were on point. Bring ice cleats for trekking up to see the monkeys, the combination of slope, ice and trampled snow makes it very slippery. They do sell cleats onsite but if you bring your own then you dont have to buy more. Tom even took us on a quick walk thru of the nagano station food area and recommended some snacks that were satisfactory purchases 👍🏻 especially after knowing some of the…”

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2.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

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

Guided Nagano day trip with Zenko-ji Temple, sake tasting, and Jigokudani snow monkeys soaking in hot springs, from Hakuba or Nagano.

“I had a great time on this tour. Brent our guide was informative, friendly and professional in sharing his deep local knowledge regarding the locations we visited.”

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3.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · 1 day · from $151

Tokyo day trip to Jigokudani for beef sukiyaki lunch and close-up snow monkeys in thermal springs, with optional winter snow huts.

“The guides were absolutely incredible and so helpful to me! I walk with a cane and doing this hike was very difficult for me but because she stayed with me to help me make it up to the monkeys I got to see these amazing little animals!! They take such good care of you, it’s very organized, communication is clear, the bus driver is very safe, everything was so lovely!”

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

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

One day from Nagano to Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi, with guided history, Frog Street stroll, and included park time.

“Our tour was amazing! Our tour guide (Endo) and the driver were fantastic and very accommodating. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend to anyone!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $184

Shiga Kogen snow play plus Jigokudani snow monkeys and lunch on a guided Nagano day trip. Convenience, warm meals, and hot-spring primates.

“I am rating the tour, not the experience - the snow monkey park was amazing, but the tour was terrible. Someone already covered the 'bunny hill' snow activity experience in the 1-star review here, so I will not repeat that part. Our main Read more”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $254

Spring-only day trip from Nagano to the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Walls, with an English guide and included rail to Ogisawa.

“Very organised. Everything went well as planned. Had a great time. Very good tour guide. He had knowledge and wit!!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

A private Nagano day that strings together wild snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse, Hokusai, and a Shibu Onsen soak for a tight schedule.

“Our guide Hori was very knowledgeable and well prepared. We had a great day and highly recommend this tour. The snow monkeys were amazing and the local food delicious.”

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

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

Shiga Kogen snow play and Jigokudani Snow Monkeys in one 9 hour day trip from Nagano, with lunch and an English guide.

“Quick and easy booking. Reasonable price and value. Very courteous and helpful tour guide.”

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9.1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Walk the Nakasendo Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $211

8km Nakasendo hike from Tsumago to Magome with an English guide, waterfalls and post towns, plus pickup from Matsumoto.

“Kevin was a great guide traveling along the old Nakasendo trail. He knows the history and is an avid hiker in Japan. You will experience some of what commuters faced back in the day traveling between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Bring fit legs (some stairs) and you will have a great time.”

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10.Snow Monkeys & Togakushi Shrine Two-Spot in-One Day

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

Private Nagano day linking Jigokudani snow monkeys and Togakushi shrines with a car, English guide, and photo captures after your tour.

“We got to see lots of monkeys! Also, Chris is an amazing guy and guide. Due to the private nature of the tour, everything was chill and we did not get tired even though you visit both the snow monkey park and Togakushi shrine in one day. I totally recommend this company.”

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11.1-Day Ski Tour Package from Nagano Station

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $270

A smooth 1-day ski outing from Nagano Station with equipment, lift pass, and a resort chosen for snow conditions, plus optional lessons.

“Well organised and decent equipment provided. Perfect if you’ve literally travelled with nothing! Snow conditions also spot on which made a brilliant day out from Nagano.”

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12.Nagano/Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $180

Climb Matsumoto Castle and wander Frog Street and Narai-juku on a one-day Nagano coach trip with an English guide.

“The tour was really fun and informative. Our tour guide, Shawn, shared a lot of historical and cultural stories about the locations we were visiting and also the region surrounding us. Matsumoto castle is a great part of the regional history and definitely worth a visit. Be prepared for very steep narrow stairs. We also strolled down the nearby “Frog Street” and visited the shops and temple and had a delicious lunch of a regional fried chicken dish. We then visited the Edo-era town of Narai-juku. A very quaint well preserved post town. Many of the shops were closed, as the majority of their business is on the weekends, but…”

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