1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninjas, and Hidden Shrines

5.0(20)8 hr 15 minEnglishBook 2 days aheadNagano, Japan

From

$154

Escape to the Mountains: Ninja, Soba & Sacred Cedars

Step into the pristine forests of Togakushi, where Japan’s creation myths and ninja secrets come to life. This year-round adventure from Nagano blends hands-on tradition with ancient spirituality.

Tour Highlights:

Master the Soba Blade: Don’t just eat lunch—make it. Knead, roll, and hand-cut Togakushi’s world-famous buckwheat noodles from scratch alongside local experts.

The Path of the Ninja: Delve into the legacy of the Togakure clan. In warmer months, navigate the trapdoors of the Ninja Trick House. In winter, strap on traditional kanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to float over deep mountain powder.

The Giant Cedar Avenue: Pass through the red Zuishinmon Gate into a breathtaking cathedral of 400-year-old cedars. Depending on the season, hike to the hidden Okusha Shrine or enjoy an exclusive winter snowshoe trek among the snow-laden giants.

Perfect for Tokyo Day-Trippers! Easy access via Shinkansen.

Included

Guided tour at all listed attractions
Entry ticket to the Togakushi Ninja Museum (Green Season)
Transportation fee from Nagano to Togakushi and between activities/attractions
Kanjiki traditional snowshoe rental (Winter Season)
English-speaking guide
including your own handmade noodles

Not included

Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket
Accommodation
Additional food, snacks & drinks

What you'll do

Tonkururin
3018 Togakushi, Nagano, Japan
Start your soba making journey from scratch with the help of your guide and the museum's expert soba artisans. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a handmade soba lunch inside of the museum's restaurant seating area!
2 hoursAdmission included
Togakushi Shrine Chusha
3506 Toagakushi, Nagano, Japan
Depart for the Togakushi Ninja Museum, with a short stop at the Togakushi Chusha Shrine along the way.
30 min
Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum
3688-12 Togakushi, Nagano, Japan
(Green Season ONLY) Once arrived at the ninja museum, your guide will accompany you to the ninja trick house to enjoy engaging and authentic puzzle-solving to escape the manor. Time permitting, you will have time to enjoy other aspects of the ninja museum during free time.
2 hoursAdmission included
Togakushi Shrine Okusha
Togakushi, Nagano, Japan
Immerse yourself in the spiritual heart of Togakushi, where Shinto creation myths and towering nature converge. Your experience at this sacred site adapts to the season: Green Season (Mid-April to Mid-Nov): Walk the ancient "Togakushi Kodo" pilgrimage trail. Pass through the striking red Zuishinmon Gate and hike a breathtaking avenue of 400-year-old giant cedars, culminating in a stone-step ascent to the secluded Okusha Shrine. Winter Season (Mid-Nov to Mid-April): When heavy snows make the upper shrine inaccessible, the adventure transforms. Strap on traditional wakanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to confidently bypass winter barriers. Float over deep mountain powder to reach the Zuishinmon Gate and enjoy an exclusive, crowd-free snowshoe trek directly into the hushed, snow-laden cathedral of giant cedars. (Note: During the winter season, the trek focuses on the spectacular cedar avenue, as the Okusha Shrine building itself is closed due to deep snow).
2 hoursAdmission included

Meeting and pickup

4 locations

Pickup details

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station. Your guide will wait for you infront of the large Information Board and video montiors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The meetup time is 09:15.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour has a minimum of 2 guests to operate
Physical Requirements: This tour involves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking along forest trails. In the Green Season, this includes a section of ascending stone steps. In the Winter Season, you will be trekking through deep snow.
This tour spends a considerable period of time outside. Weather conditions in Togakushi are often notably cooler than Nagano City, even in summer. Please also ensure you wear suitable clothing for the season and bring a waterproof jacket and/or umbrella as weather conditions can change quickly.