Top Nagano Outdoor Activities

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Experience the dramatic mountain landscape of Chubu Sangaku National Park and visit the immense snow walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This day trip departs from Nagano Station and includes a ticket for round-trip rail transport with your guide. Traveling with a maximum of 15 passengers in your small group ensures an intimate atmosphere.

【OUTLINE】 Explore Nagano’s Togura Kamiyamada Onsen area by bicycle and learn about life in the Japanese countryside with explanation by a local guide. You will see examples of traditional Japanese houses in an old residential area, have a talk with farmers in apple orchards and rice paddy fields, touch the Japanese spirits in a shrine with a sumo ring and a temple with a thatched roof, and view the scenery of the river and surrounding mountains from the Chikuma River Cycling Road. And lastly, have soft ice cream while taking a footbath.

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.

There's no better place to experience Japanese history and culture than in a city with a real castle from the feudal era! Come and enjoy three different experiences with this unique workshop! Taiko Drumming: Our passionate instructors will guide you step-by-step as you progress through the many rhythmic patterns that gradually increased in difficulty. Learn how to become a real Taiko Drummer right next door to Matsumoto Castle! Samurai Sword Fighting: Experience for yourself this ancestral fighting art. Learn how to handle a sword and after covering some moves, you can have your stage combat recorded on video. Become the star of your own samurai story! Ninja Experience: A fun experience for all, especially for families with kids. The Ninja Master will teach you three major ninja methods: Ninja Throwing Stars, Ninja Blowguns and Ninja Combat. Receive Ninja training from a Ninja Master and become a real Ninja Warrior! Activity available in English and French.

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.

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.

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.

Walking along the 400-year-old lined cedar trees and walking on the frozen lake experience are special experiences that can only be found here. Let's explore the winter of Togakushi, where mountain ascetics have been practicing the mountain worship since ancient times. 樹齢400年の杉の並木と凍った湖を歩く体験は、ここ以外ではできない特別な体験です。古くより修験者が厳しい修行をしてきた戸隠の冬をスノーシューを履いて探検しましょう！

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.

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!

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.

It’s a Cycling tour around north Nagano's Satoyama landscape and the Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park. During the cycling tour, we will stop by the beautiful lake, waterfall, very old local shrine, or maybe some farmer's house. Since the area used to be a post town along the Hokkoku Kaido, very old road which connect Edo (Tokyo) to Kanazawa, there are many historical monuments remained around the area. I will take you to a secret place where never on a guidebook! Participants can feel an authentic life style,history and nature of snowy rural area in Northern Nagano.

You can enjoy to observe lovely wild monkeys bathing in an outdoor hot spring at Snow Monkey Park. Each monkey has different personality and it's quite fun to be able to watch them from very close. After the monkey park, we are visiting an old Shinto shrine called Togakushi shrine which has been one of the most important place for the mountain worship since ancient era. The shrine and precincts forest are all covered with thick snow during the winter season. However,by snowshoeing, it is the perfect opportunity to discover areas that are inaccessible any other time of the year. Frozen bodies of water and a heavy carpet of snow make otherwise untraversable terrain accessible. I will lead you to these undisturbed areas, so you can explore and appreciate the unspoiled nature around you. I'm a National Government licensed guide interpreter as well as licensed mountain trekking guide. Let's have a cup of coffee on the snow made table and chair :)

Navigator: Tomoko Yoga Alliance RYT200 Other sports: Rhythmic gymnastics, Shorinji Kempo(Kuro-obi), Aerobics 9yrs experience in meditation Bach/FES flower essence practitioner Art Therapist Access bars practitioner Travel more than 15countries, have lived in U.S.A, Singapore, Australia.

We will provide skiing and telemarking for beginners to intermediate level students in an easy-to-understand and kind manner. You can also change the lesson contents in the morning and afternoon, so please join with your family We recommend Karuizawa, which is slippery from both Tokyo and the station, but it is possible in other areas if you have special needs.

Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.

* Snowshoe hiking with a guide through the snowy mountains at the foot of Asama! * From the course, you can see the panorama of Yatsugatake and the Japanese Alps! * Takamine Kogen Hotel has a hot spring and gourmet lunch! * Includes round-trip transportation from Karuizawa Station!

【OUTLINE】 Explore Nagano’s Togura Kamiyamada Onsen area by bicycle and learn about life in the Japanese countryside with explanation by a local guide. You will see examples of traditional Japanese houses in an old residential area, have a talk with farmers in apple orchards and rice paddy fields, touch the Japanese spirits in a shrine with a sumo ring and a temple with a thatched roof, and view the scenery of the river and surrounding mountains from the Chikuma River Cycling Road. And lastly, have soft ice cream while taking a footbath.

The 80km Shinetsu trail, the best woodland trail in Japan, runs over the ridges of the Sekida mountains at about 1,000 meters above sea level, forming a boundary between Nagano and Niigata prefectures. It is one of the few long trails in Japan. This area is blessed with a rich ecosystem nurtured by Japanese beech tree forests. Historically, there were 16 passages connecting Nagano with Niigata. The forests are perhaps best known for their beech trees. The tall, well-shaped beech trees form a corridor of nature along the path. The earth-packed trail also makes it easy to walk. Spring (from mid-June to the end of July) and autumn (from mid-September to the end of October) are great seasons to visit the trail. In the spring, the last traces of snow can be seen among new greenery and flowers bursting into bloom. In the fall, hikers can enjoy the brilliant colors of autumn leaves.