Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple & Foodie Tour from Nagano

4.8(20)7 hr 35 minEnglishBook 2 days aheadNagano, Japan

From

$180

Discover the best of Nagano on a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide. Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s wild snow monkeys, and observe Japanese macaques up close in their natural habitat. Seasonal highlights include adorable baby monkeys in spring, energetic young monkeys in summer, and the iconic hot spring-bathing monkeys in winter. Explore the 1,400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples, renowned for its National Treasure Main Hall and rich cultural heritage. Stroll through Nakamise Shopping Street with a local expert and uncover the stories behind Nagano’s traditional food culture. Learn about regional specialties such as oyaki, shichimi pepper, and miso while discovering historic shops and hidden gems. Combining nature, history, and local flavors, this tour offers a deeper insight into the culture and traditions of Nagano in a single unforgettable day.

Included

Local expert guide for the Nakamise Foodie Tour and Zenko-ji Temple visit
Transportation via public transportation and/or chartered vehicle
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Monkey park admission fee

Not included

Lunch
Fees other than those listed in Includes

What you'll do

Zenko-ji Temple
I-491 Nagano Motoyoshicho, Nagano, Japan
Zenko-ji is one of Japan's renowned ancient temples with a history of about 1,400 years. Its magnificent architectural beauty and deep faith, including the Main Hall designated as a National Treasure, captivate visitors. A guide from the Bonsho-no-Kai authorized guide group will be in charge of guidance in the Zenko-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street area. There will be an accompanying English-speaking guide in Zenko-ji Temple as well.
1 hour
Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori
Motoyoshicho, Nagano, Japan
The accompanying Zenko-ji Temple Local Expert will introduce the profound charm of the temple and Nakamise Shopping Street in its entirety. This is a special opportunity for foodies to gain a deeper understanding of historical shops and hidden gems that would be overlooked without commentary from the local Expert, and to get in touch with the essence of Nagano Prefecture’s food culture.
30 minAdmission included
Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori
Motoyoshicho, Nagano, Japan
Free Time for Sightseeing and Lunch on your own. Take advantage of the knowledge gained from the commentary by Zenko-ji Temple Local Expert, and revisit some restaurants and foodie spots that caught your eye. This is a great opportunity to deepen your own unique Nagano culinary experience by savoring various flavors at a famous oyaki shop recommended by the guide, discovering more at a long-established shichimi shop, and trying new miso sweets.
1 hourAdmission not included
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Japan
Visitors here can get to see wild Japanese macaques up close amidst scenery that changes with the season. Delight in the adorable sight of cute baby monkeys during their birth season in spring, young monkeys full of life playing in summer, or wild monkeys taking a comfortable soak in the hot springs in winter. As monkeys are wild animals, please be sure to follow the observation rules.
2h 30mAdmission included
For the last leg of the tour, enjoy a drive-in with plenty of food souvenirs of Nagano Prefecture
Behold a wide variety of seasonal fruits! Feel free to try some, and buy your family and friends some souvenirs fit for foodies. Bringing certain fruits back into some countries is prohibited. Please be sure to check on your own.
15 min