Top Nagano Nature and Wildlife

Enjoy fun winter activities and visit the famous Japanese snow monkeys during this full-day trip to the Shiga Kogen Highlands in Nagano. Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can observe wild macaques bathing in the area hot springs. After a warm, delicious lunch, you have time for sledding, snow bikes, snow scooters, and a lift ride up the 5,800-foot (1,900-meter) slope of a famous area ski resort.

Explore the magnificent temples and natural wonders of Nagano on a full-day tour and benefit from the undivided attention of a private guide. Visit the famous Zenkoji Temple and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, enjoy lunch (own expense) in Obuse Town, then choose a soak in the hot springs at Shibu Onsen.

We will watch the wild Japanese giant flying squirrel, which is endemic to Japan and one of the biggest flying squirrels in the world. Since our professional nature guides know their life style and gliding patterns, the chances of watching their gliding is 97.8% (actual result of this tour in 2019).

Check out Japan’s famous cherry blossom blooms and see snow monkeys on a full-day trip from Nagano. After visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park, you’ll stop for lunch, then visit several different ‘hanami’ spots to admire the cherry blossom trees. This seasonal experience runs from April to the end of May, allowing you to take in the later blooms of the mountainous northern Nagano region.

Experience the nature and culture of beautiful Nagano on this all-day excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup, head out with an informative local guide and bicycle through apple orchards along the Chikuma River, watch macaques bathe in their natural habitat at Snow Monkey Park, relax in a hot spring at Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen villages, and treat yourself to delicious chestnuts in Obuse.

It is a trekking tour with an exclusive guide to the summit of the small Asama mountain of the Asama mountain foot. Koasayama is a parasitic volcano on the eastern foot of Mt. Asama at an altitude of 1,655 m. A guide will guide you through the formation and vegetation of Mt. Asama and aim at the summit. As it is about two and a half hours by round trip, if you are new to mountain climbing, you can feel free to participate regardless of age or sex. From the top of the mountain covered by the volcano, the spectacular Mt. Asama and the wonderful prospects await.

A guided tour that uses snowshoe to trek the vast field of Asama. Courses for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students can be selected depending on the level, so anyone of all ages can participate. While looking for traces of wild animals and observing wild birds, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mt. Asama and the superb view.

You will go around famous sightseeing spots in Hokushin (Northern Nagano) area. First, you will see the Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park worldly known for its snow monkeys. Then you will go to Obuse Town, which is reputed for its town renewal project vitalizing the historical heritages such as Hokusai Katsushika.

It is a recommended course to explore the three major scenic & power spots in Karuizawa by shuttle taxi. Even non-cars can travel efficiently around 3 places with poor public transportation access. You can experience the beautiful nature and landscape of Karuizawa from the fresh green season to the autumnal season!

Shinanoji Nature Trail is a hiking course about 10km in length, which is almost a descent from the peak teahouse. Walk about 7,5 km to the hot spots in Oze, which has many attractions. A downhill trek is relaxed while being healed by the colorful miscellaneous trees and larch forest. You can also see the two famous Karuizawa waterfalls (Shiraito Falls and Dragon Falls) along the way. This course is recommended for people who are not always confident in their physical fitness, and young and old alike, since the entire trip is almost a descent. From Oze Onsen, it is also possible to return to the peak chaya parking lot by bus or directly to Karuizawa Station.

The biggest feature of this tour is the high chance of seeing the wild animals. The encounter rate in our 2018 and 2019 tours was 98.9%. The guides at Picchio are familiar with the ecology of all the wildlife species. They will be able to guide you through the unique aspects of living creatures from an expert perspective, not only from observing the animals themselves but also from observing the surrounding natural environment and ecosystem as a whole.

Only a couple of hours from Tokyo, this sacred Togakushi Shinto-Shrine can easily be visited in a day trip. Togakushi shrine is like no other. Far from the usual tourist destination, Togakushi Shrine is a true hidden gem. The Togakushi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagano Prefecture, in Japan. Mt. Togakushi is where Togakushi shrine sits and it is in the National Park called Myoukou Togakushi Renzan National Park. Togakushi Shrine consists of five shrines in a large area. We begin our exploration of ancient pilgrimage trails at Togakushi, where a steep sometimes but not too long, such as going up the stairs to the shrines and hiking mountain path. We walk the old trails called “Togakushi Kodo” and you will see old Shinto statues and beautiful, great, spiritual cedars, line our route along the way to our destination of Okusha. We will visit each five shrines and also enjoy having Togakushi soba(Togakushi Soba is ranked in top 3 soba in Japan) for a lunch.

Tour highlights: A long time ago, it was said that it was the most difficult place on Nakasendo. In this tour, we will aim for a scenic spot from the former Karuizawa Ginza through the boardwalk of the Suigaki Pass. The trail through the wooded villa has a promenade, and it takes about 1 hour to arrive at the viewing station. From the view point, the scenic views of Mt. Asama and Mt. As it is a simple hiking course, you can participate regardless of age and sex. As it will be disbanded freely at the view point, you can stop at Kumano Imperial Shrine and take a break at a teahouse and the like. On the way back, you can either return on the way you came, or take the bus back to the old Karuizawa. Travel time: Former Karuizawa Ginza ⇒ (碓 峠 promenade) 見 Mikarudai (local dissolution) * For each return trip, either return on the way or go to old Karuizawa by bus.

Kamikochi is a popular resort in the Northern Japan Alps, offering some of Japan's most spectacular mountain scenery. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan. Kamikochi hiking course along the Azusa River is well maintained and almost flat. This value-packed trail day hike with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Japan Alps! It is about 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2-4 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you! Note*1: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

An Aquarium in Tateshina. This will grant you entrance to the aquarium for the entire day that you have booked for.

While cycling, I potted the standard spots of Karuizawa (cycling slowly). If you rent a bicycle in front of Karuizawa Station, first go to Karuizawa's first scenic spot "Kumoba Pond". After taking a walk for a while after getting off the bicycle, I will go through the villa area of the grove to the old Karuizawa. While visiting the narrow streets of the old Karuizawa back street, we will guide you to the staple spots such as the St. Paul's Society, the show memorial chapel, and the Karuizawa tennis court, famous for the romance of the Emperor and Empress. Along the way, you will be guided to gourmets and shopping spots that you know only because it is Karuizawa Local. I will guide you to the unknown Karuizawa not listed in the guidebook. It's a flat road, so everyone, young and old, can join. There is also a tandem (two-seater) unique to Karuizawa for parents and children and couples!

After filling your water bottle with refreshing natural water, begin your venture to reach Mt. Kirigamine through Venus Line on an e-bike. The E-bike will make it a much more relaxing ride. Your guide will explain the must-see sights and what makes the area special. Enjoy the unique view of many famous Japanese mountains at the observatories.

Kiso Valley, best known for the Magome and Tsumago traditional villages, is another beautiful spot in the Japanese Alps. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan. Magome and Tsumago are two beautifully preserved traditional villages. This value-packed Nakasendo trail day hike between Magome and Tsumago with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore both of the ancient post towns! It is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Over the course of two days of an easy walk (self-guided tour) along the Nakasendo road and one overnight stay at a Minshuku (family run lodging), immerse yourself in Japan's folkloric landscapes between the villages of Nakatsugawa and Tsumago. During Japan's feudal period (1603-1868), the Nakasendo road was one of the five routes that linked the economic hub, Tokyo, to the imperial capital, Kyoto. Unlike the Tokaido road, which was replaced by today's Shinkansen train, the Nakasendo was saved from rampant modernization and still upholds an old-fashioned charm. Created by general Tokugawa in order to assert his political domination, the route spans a distance of 534 kilometers and includes 69 rest stops. Its name literally means "mountain road" and is a means of communication in case of a large flood on the Tokaido: the coastal road. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level