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

4.5
(28 reviews)
Tokyo, Japan

12 hours 40 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

Travel from Tokyo to Nagano with included round-trip Shinkansen tickets and explore the region’s highlights on a guided day tour. Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park to see Japan’s wild snow monkeys up close, with seasonal scenery throughout the year.

Discover the 1,400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples, and explore Nakamise Shopping Street with a local expert. Learn about Nagano’s food culture through regional specialties such as oyaki, shichimi pepper, and miso while uncovering the stories behind historic shops and local traditions.

This tour combines nature, history, and local flavors for an unforgettable day trip from Tokyo.

What's 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
Round-trip Shinkansen tickets between Tokyo and Nagano (ordinary car reserved seating)
Monkey park admission fee
Guide (during train ride between Tokyo and Nagano)
Lunch
Fees other than those listed in Includes

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Tokyo City i

[Ticket Pickup] Please pick up your tickets at Tokyo City i at B1F KITTE JP Tower between 3 days before and THE DAY BEFORE your tour departure. [On the Day of the Tour] Board the designated Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and head to Nagano on your own. Check your voucher for more details!

End point
Tokyo Station

Tour ends around 8:00 pm upon arrival at Tokyo Station.

Ticket Redemption Point

Tokyo City i

Itinerary

Duration: 12 hours 40 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    Tokyo Station

    Please make your own way to Tokyo Station. Board the Hokuriku Shinkansen (ordinary car reserved seating) and head to Nagano. There is no accompanying National Government Licensed Guide while on board the Shinkansen.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • Nagano Tourist Information Center (Pass by)

    Please meet the guide holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at Nagano Station Concourse (2nd floor) in front of the Nagano City Tourist Information Center by 9:50 AM. The tour will depart at 10:00 AM towards the first destination.

    Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Zenko-ji Temple

    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 • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori

    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 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori

    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 hour • Admission ticket not included
  • 5
    Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

    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.

    2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 6

    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 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Nagano Station

    Depart from Nagano Station on the Shinkansen train (ordinary car, reserved seating) to Tokyo. There is no accompanying National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter while on board the Shinkansen.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
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Tags

Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Historical Tours
Rail Tours
Walking Tours
Involves Animals

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.5 Based on 28 28 reviews
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