Nagano Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

(9 reviews)

Hello! My name is Keiichi. Please call me Kei. I was born and raised in Joetsu City, located in the southern part of Niigata prefecture. Joetsu was the former capital city of Echigo Province until the mid 19th century. It has a lot of historic sites and scenic spots, and most of all good people. I love my city very much. I worked for the Joetsu City office for over thirty years. During my time there, I was in charge of international relations for about ten years. After retiring from the office, I began working as a licensed tour guide. I am very excited to introduce my city to people all over the world.

Chinami N.

4.98 / 5

(60 reviews)

Hello!My name is Chinami. I have a national licence as a tour guide. I know well not only the nature of Mt Fuji area, but also history of Mt Fuji as a world cultural heritage site.I like to talk with people from all aver the world.So I want to have great time with you and enjoy local meals, wine, and so on. Let's share a wonderful moment in Japan!

Emi F.

(6 reviews)

Nice to meet you. I am a national government certified guide interpreter, Emi. I just started this business under the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, I had worked for more than 30 years as a teacher. Nagano is a cozy city surrounded by a beautiful mountain range. I enjoy strolling around its center, driving in the countryside, visiting some beautiful spots such as Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi highlands, Matsumoto Castle and so on. I also enjoy local dishes with fresh ingredients. I'd like to introduce our lifestyle to you as well as historical places and nature. According to your expectations, I will make your tour tailor-made, not ready-made!

Takeshi H.

(50 reviews)

View All Nagano Tour Guides

Hello! My name is Takeshi. I am a National Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. I was born in Tokyo. I worked for Canon for more than 30 years including a 5-year assignment to the U.S. office. Before joining Canon, I received a master's degree in engineering in the United States. After retiring from the company, I began working as a volunteer guide for foreign visitors in Kamakura and Yokohama for a while. However, I became fascinated by the beautiful nature of Nagano prefecture and decided to move here to the Yatsugatake Mountains, 1000m above sea level in Nagano a few years ago. Since then I go out to look at the breathtaking mountains, lakes, and shrines every day. I would like to guide you to these special sites and also share with you the Japanese culture in my guided tours. I am flexible and can customize the tour based on the customer's request. I am also a Certified Travel Service Administrator. My hobby is Aikido and I hold the 2nd Dan black belt. Hope to see you soon.

New Nagano Tour Guides

Kanami E.

I am a guide specialized in horse riding tour in Nagano area. By joining my horse riding tour, you can walk with a horse in a beautiful forest in quiet rural area, where you can see seasonal flowers and beautiful views. I am happy to take you to Soba restaurant where many locals love.

Fumi M.

Born and bred in Tokyo I am still living in the suburbs of Tokyo. I spent several years in the U.S. and the UK and wanted to show international visitors around Japan in return for the hospitality I had received in foreign countries. After coming back from the UK, I obtained the qualification of the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I can guide guests to every corner of Tokyo including areas off the beaten track. As a history fan I can tell you a historical episode behind the scenes. From a local perspective I can explain how we Japanese are getting along. Since I have science and technology backgrounds, I can give you a tour of scientific or technical things as well..

Kouhei N.

(7 reviews)

Hello, I'm Kouhei, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I'm originally from Tokyo, but since I love outdoor activities and wanted to live in a place surrounded by abundant nature, I moved to here in Nagano in 2015. I have traveled a lot of places in Japan and eventually decided to live in Nagano. Nagano prefecture is sometimes described as "a roof of Japan" since most of its part are covered with high mountain range. Because of that, the area gets lots of snow every winter. It makes the place's nature and culture different from other areas in Japan. I am also a Mountain Trekking guide and a Cycling Guide as well as English translator guide.. I want to guide you to super beautiful yet lesser known places! I am very flexible, so please let me know your requests for the guided tour. Let's explore the "Hidden Gem" of Japan together :) (for example) Walking Tour : Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi Shrine, Obuse Town,etc Mountain Hiking: Beginners to Intermediates (Northern Alps, Yatsugatake, etc) Cycling Tours : Beginners to Intermediates (North Nagano Area), E Bikes tour available. Other Specials :Snow Monkey, Picking Wild Vegetables and Cooking Tempura together, Night Cherry Blossom Viewing, Visiting Sake Winery, Snow Shoeing in National Park, etc

Kgs N.

3.00 / 5

(2 reviews)

View All Nagano Tour Guides

We, KGS, are a group of English-speaking tour guides based in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture. We send English-speaking tour guides to private groups. We provide various guiding services based on customers' requests. We can guide Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture as well as some places outside Nagano. Karuizawa is one of the most famous mountain resorts in Japan at the height of 1000 meters and within easy access from Tokyo. It takes only 60 to 70 minutes by Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. Karuizawa is an ideal place as a resort with everything you expect --- stunning nature including waterfalls, mountains and forests, a ski resort, a famous Prince outlet mall, cozy small and large hotels, hot springs, very good restaurants and cafes, museums, sport facilities, historic buildings, parks, and more! We are also delighted to guide other places in Nagano. Nagano, known as the venue of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and for the Japanese Alps, has many attractive destinations including Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, Obuse and more, while providing interesting experiences such as soba noodle making lessons, skiing lessons, sake / beer / wine brewery visit, fruit picking, hiking, cycling, etc. We have some fixed plans, but if you wish to make your own trip, just ask for customized plans. We hope you will have a lot of fun with our friendly and knowledgeable local guides in Japan's beautiful highland area. *Please note our guides include both men and women with various ages. Whoever serves you, your guide will try his/her best to make your time in Japan special and comfortable.

Popular Nagano Private Tours

Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano

8 hours

The park provides us a rare opportunity for us to watch the Macaque up close and observe their fascinating behavior. During winter the monkeys enjoy bathing in the hot spring. The history of Zenkoji temple started in 642 and it does not belong to any religious sect. Legend says that Zenkoji's golden triad was the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan. After taking a walk in Nakamise street, you can enjoy Sake tasting if you like.

Snow Monkey and Hokusai One day tour to Nagano

10 hours

Today Japanese monkeys of Jigokudani Onsen became so famous that many foreign visitors eagerly want to visit to see. In Jigokudani (literally meaning is Hell Valley) monkeys take bath in open-air Onsen(Hot spring) in particular during winter season. Visitors can reach there in 3 hours by taking bullet trains and Nagano Dentetsu railway from Tokyo. Near the snow monkey park, there is a old town of Obuse. Obuse is famous for the works of Hokusai Katsushika. In 1840's Hokusai visited Obuse in his 80's years old and stay there for several years. There is the museum of Hokusai and his patron's housing. You can have lunch in Obuse. There are some restaurants and confectionery shops and Sake breweries. You could have chances to Sake tasting. If you want, you could visit the temple whose ceiling paint is the largest and last work by Hokusai and his daughter. As the temple is located at outskirt of Obuse, you need to take taxi. Leaving Tokyo station at 7:20 in the morning, you would arrive at the park around 10:30. You will have enough time to watch monkeys' life. You will enjoy seeing not only the snow monkeys but the beautiful landscape of Central Japan Mountain. You could be back to your hotel by around 19:00 in Tokyo.

Matsumoto Castle and Daio Wasabi Farm in Nagano

8 hours 30 min

Matsumoto castle which was built in 1593-94. The 5 roofed, six story tower castle is the oldest in existence in Japan. It is designated as a national treasure of Japan. Daio Wasabi Farm is situated amongst the picturesque valleys of central Japan’s famous Alps region. It is known as the largest farm of Wasabi (horseradish) in Japan and noted for its picturesque beauty and long history. The tour starts at Matsumoto station and we will visit these places by train or taxi.

Customized Tour in Karuizawa

View All Nagano Private Tours

4 hours

Our professional guide will take you to the places that you wish to visit in Karuizawa and nearby areas. We are local guides and do our best to talk about our areas with our warm hearts! Shiraito Waterfall, Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Churches, Soba making experience, Karuizawa Old Town Areas, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, Karuizawa's History Road, Mt. Asama Magma Stone Park are just some of the popular places. I hope you will have a lot of fun

New Nagano Private Tours

Nozawa Onsen: Hot Springs and Ski Resorts

6 hours

Nozawa Onsen is a cosy village back in the mountains. You will experience the local people's life styles, local speciality foods, and clean air and lush greenery. Please enjoy everything in Nozawa!!

A Day Tour for Snow Monkey and Obuse Town

8 hours

You will go to Snow Monkey Park and see how wild monkeys live and seem relaxed without minding human beings watching them. There are also some lovely places to visit from Nagano City, such as Obuse Town and Suzaka City. Especially, Obuse is a small but pleasant town where Hokusai, the ukiyoe artist known for "The Great Wave," lived in his later years. Entering the Museum, learning about his life, and eating delicious chestnut sweets will surely bring back good memories.

Horse Trekking and Eat at Hidden Restaurant

3 hours 30 min

This tour includes horse trekking and lunch in Karuizawa area, where you can relax in beautiful nature away from the city. Horse trekking is for very first beginners to experienced riders. Just let me know what your level is! I will be taking many photos for you during the tour and send them to you later. Later for lunch, you can try Nagano Soba noodle or Tempura in my recommended restaurant(favorite place among local people!), or you can just tell me what you would like to eat.

FROM$64/ per group

Kanami E.

Silk reeling and femented culture in Suzaka

View All Nagano Private Tours

6 hours

Suzaka is the compact city where silk manufacturing flourished from the 19C to the early 20C. Silk was exported via Yokoyama to the US, where many ladies wore silk stockings. You will stroll the streets with the warehouses, visit a miso and soy sauce brewery, and Japanese sake retailer. You will notice how much Japanese people have been familiar with fermented products. You also visit a wealthy merchant's house which has been there since the Edo period. Please contact their lives in old days.

Popular Nagano Private Cars

☆Karuizawa Day Tour with a Private Car

4 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

☆Karuizawa Day Tour with a Private Car

4 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

Nagano Hakuba Village to Tokyo Haneda Airport Transfer

5 hours

Depart from Haneda Airport or Tokyo, and deliver to any ski resort hotel in Hakuba Village. Or, pick you up back to Tokyo Haneda Airport and Tokyo city.

Nagano Hakuba Village to Narita Airport Transfer

View All Nagano Private Cars

6 hours

Depart from Narita airport, and deliver to any ski resort hotel in Hakuba Village. Or, pick you up back to Tokyo Narita Airport. Pick-up and drop-off service at any time

Day Trips from Nagano

Yamanashi

Takayama

Niigata

Toyama

Gunma

Nagano Tour Reviews

Wilson L.

3 / 5

Apr 23, 2024

Customized Tour in Karuizawa

5 hours 30 min

Apr 23, 2024

“Private trip to Komoro”

Booked a personalized trip for cherry blossoms. After much discussion with the guide before booking they insisted on visiting komoro's Sakura festival. Had a great lunch, and a side excursion but the recommended site was extremely underwhelming. I felt if they visited the site before hand to see how the blossom conditions are and new before hand how there was only two trees throughout the park that blossomed. They could have repivot a better experience or be upfront to say yeah there's only two trees in blossom before I pay for admission to the park and not after I pass the admission gate. It just builds a negative experience overall. I did like the guide, I just felt things could have been done better or communicated better beforehand.

Kgs N.

(2 reviews)

Please accept our sincere apology for not having met your expectations for cherry blossoms. We highly appreciate your honest opinions and taking the time to write them. Though it was difficult to estimate the timing of blooming, we admit that we should have conveyed the situation before entering the park. From this experience, we intend to improve our procedures including more investigation and better communication. We are sorry again. Finally, we wish to welcome your booking again in the future.

Dan S.

5 / 5

Apr 6, 2024

Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano

8 hours

Apr 6, 2024

“The most gorgeous man and guide ever”

Such a gentleman who went above and beyond for our family, even going so far as to arrange luggage pick up with our hotel so we didn’t have to walk around with our bags. His tour was also excellent, giving us enough time to see everything and he was so incredibly knowledgeable when answering our questions. We really loved the snow monkeys and it was Takeshi who spotted the first one! Thank you for the best day of our trip so far!

Takeshi H.

(50 reviews)

Thank you for your review. I was glad that everything went smoothly as planned. The photo is very nice.

Tyler C.

5 / 5

Mar 30, 2024

Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji Temple in Nagano