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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.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
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.
Itinerary
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1Tonkururin
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 hours • Admission ticket included -
2Togakushi Shrine Chusha
Depart for the Togakushi Ninja Museum, with a short stop at the Togakushi Chusha Shrine along the way.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum
(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 hours • Admission ticket included -
4Togakushi Shrine Okusha
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 hours • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- 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.
Additional info
- 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.
- This tour includes a 'soba' (buckwheat) noodle lunch in Togakushi village. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at time of booking.
- Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
- All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
- Footwear & Clothing: Please wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. For winter tours (Mid-Nov to Mid-April), waterproof snow boots and warm, waterproof clothing are strongly recommended for the snowshoeing segment. We also recommend checking the daily forecast and bringing an umbrella or raincoat if needed.
- Due to the amount of walking, this tour is not suitable for guests who are mobility impaired
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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