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.
Nagano Station or your nearby hotel
Meet with you.
Tour ends
Nagano Station
Over 160 wild Japanese Macaque monkeys inhabit the Snow Monkey Park and the area is a paradise for the monkeys. During winter the monkeys enjoy bathing in the hot spring. The park provides us a rare opportunity for us to watch the Macaque up close and observe their fascinating behavior.
At Zenkoji Temple, we will buy a ticket for the kaidan meguri and take the stairs down into the pitch-black crypt passage under the main hall of the temple. If you touch the key below, you will be guaranteed to connect with the pure land.
Sake tasting is also available for those interested.
guide fee
Admission fees to temples/shrines/museums/etc. (you and guide) (apx.1800JPY/person)
Transportation fee during the services. (you and guide) (apx.3000JPY/person)
Lunch (you and guide)
Other actual tour-related expenses (if any).
I can also guide you to Nagano and the surrounding area from Tokyo.
Travel insurance is not included in our tours. I would recommend you take out your own travel insurance just in case of any unexpected accident.
1) The tour will not be conducted during instances of extreme weather such as typhoons and snowstorms.
2) Warm clothes and shoes are recommended for the walk in winter.
3) Please advise us if you have any religious or health restrictions, allergies, or have other specific requests.
Takeshi was extremely helpful during our five day trip to Japan. He arranged for all of our transportation. We used high speed trains, regular trains, taxies, buses and subway. Because of his excellent planning, there was always a smooth and timely transition and we did not waste any time waiting to go from one place to the next. He provided excellent English translation for us during the entire trip. He was always patient and answer all of our questions in a very respectable and gentle manner. Day one He made dinner reservation for my daughter’s birthday at a fancy restaurant and gave her a very nice birthday gift. We had a very delightful evening. Day two When visiting Zenkoji temple, Takeshi explained related Japanese cultures and traditions in details so we could appreciate the importance of the temple. Day three We learned more about Japanese history from Takeshi while visiting Matsumoto castle in the morning. Thanks to his excellent planning, we were able to get to lake Kawaguchiko to watch sunset over Mount Fuji. Day four Takeshi helped us hire a taxi that drove us to different viewpoints to see Mount Fuji. He told us the significance of Mount Fuji to the Japanese people. He even pointed out street corner where we could get a nice shot of the mountain. After learning that we would like to buy some herbal medicine, he searched for stores that were open during the pre-New Year holiday and brought us there so we could make our purchases. Day five Takeshi brought us to a shrine and a temple early in the morning so we could experienced the Japanese New Year tradition first hand. He also showed us the street fair and we had the opportunity to sample some very delicious Japanese food. We are putting all 5 day(Dec 28, 29, 30, 31 and Jan 1) reviews in one.
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I am very happy to have guided you and your family for five days. It was one of my most impressive tours I have guided before. Hope to see you again.
Takeshi was extremely helpful during our five day trip to Japan. He arranged for all of our transportation. We used high speed trains, regular trains, taxies, buses and subway. Because of his excellent planning, there was always a smooth and timely transition and we did not waste any time waiting to go from one place to the next. He provided excellent English translation for us during the entire trip. He was always patient and answer all of our questions in a very respectable and gentle manner. Day one He made dinner reservation for my daughter’s birthday at a fancy restaurant and gave her a very nice birthday gift. We had a very delightful evening. Day two When visiting Zenkoji temple, Takeshi explained related Japanese cultures and traditions in details so we could appreciate the importance of the temple. Day three We learned more about Japanese history from Takeshi while visiting Matsumoto castle in the morning. Thanks to his excellent planning, we were able to get to lake Kawaguchiko to watch sunset over Mount Fuji. Day four Takeshi helped us hire a taxi that drove us to different viewpoints to see Mount Fuji. He told us the significance of Mount Fuji to the Japanese people. He even pointed out street corner where we could get a nice shot of the mountain. After learning that we would like to buy some herbal medicine, he searched for stores that were open during the pre-New Year holiday and brought us there so we could make our purchases. Day five Takeshi brought us to a shrine and a temple early in the morning so we could experienced the Japanese New Year tradition first hand. He also showed us the street fair and we had the opportunity to sample some very delicious Japanese food. We are putting all 5 day(Dec 28, 29, 30, 31 and Jan 1) reviews in one.
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I am very happy to have guided you and your family for five days. It was one of my most impressive tours I have guided before. Hope to see you again.
Takeshi was extremely helpful during our five day trip to Japan. He arranged for all of our transportation. We used high speed trains, regular trains, taxies, buses and subway. Because of his excellent planning, there was always a smooth and timely transition and we did not waste any time waiting to go from one place to the next. He provided excellent English translation for us during the entire trip. He was always patient and answer all of our questions in a very respectable and gentle manner. Day one He made dinner reservation for my daughter’s birthday at a fancy restaurant and gave her a very nice birthday gift. We had a very delightful evening. Day two When visiting Zenkoji temple, Takeshi explained related Japanese cultures and traditions in details so we could appreciate the importance of the temple. Day three We learned more about Japanese history from Takeshi while visiting Matsumoto castle in the morning. Thanks to his excellent planning, we were able to get to lake Kawaguchiko to watch sunset over Mount Fuji. Day four Takeshi helped us hire a taxi that drove us to different viewpoints to see Mount Fuji. He told us the significance of Mount Fuji to the Japanese people. He even pointed out street corner where we could get a nice shot of the mountain. After learning that we would like to buy some herbal medicine, he searched for stores that were open during the pre-New Year holiday and brought us there so we could make our purchases. Day five Takeshi brought us to a shrine and a temple early in the morning so we could experienced the Japanese New Year tradition first hand. He also showed us the street fair and we had the opportunity to sample some very delicious Japanese food. We are putting all 5 day(Dec 28, 29, 30, 31 and Jan 1) reviews in one.
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I am very happy to have guided you and your family for five days. It was one of my most impressive tours I have guided before. Hope to see you again.
Takeshi was extremely helpful during our five day trip to Japan. He arranged for all of our transportation. We used high speed trains, regular trains, taxies, buses and subway. Because of his excellent planning, there was always a smooth and timely transition and we did not waste any time waiting to go from one place to the next. He provided excellent English translation for us during the entire trip. He was always patient and answer all of our questions in a very respectable and gentle manner. Day one He made dinner reservation for my daughter’s birthday at a fancy restaurant and gave her a very nice birthday gift. We had a very delightful evening. Day two When visiting Zenkoji temple, Takeshi explained related Japanese cultures and traditions in details so we could appreciate the importance of the temple. Day three We learned more about Japanese history from Takeshi while visiting Matsumoto castle in the morning. Thanks to his excellent planning, we were able to get to lake Kawaguchiko to watch sunset over Mount Fuji. Day four Takeshi helped us hire a taxi that drove us to different viewpoints to see Mount Fuji. He told us the significance of Mount Fuji to the Japanese people. He even pointed out street corner where we could get a nice shot of the mountain. After learning that we would like to buy some herbal medicine, he searched for stores that were open during the pre-New Year holiday and brought us there so we could make our purchases. Day five Takeshi brought us to a shrine and a temple early in the morning so we could experienced the Japanese New Year tradition first hand. He also showed us the street fair and we had the opportunity to sample some very delicious Japanese food. We are putting all 5 day(Dec 28, 29, 30, 31 and Jan 1) reviews in one.
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I am very happy to have guided you and your family for five days. It was one of my most impressive tours I have guided before. Hope to see you again.