Nagano Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Nagano tours and things to do in the heart of the Japanese Alps: watch wild snow monkeys bathe in steaming hot springs at Jigokudani, worship at the ancient Zenkō-ji temple, marvel at the black-and-white Matsumoto Castle, taste local sake, and explore the cedar-lined Togakushi shrines. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Nagano by interest
Whatever brings you to Nagano — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Nagano
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Snow Monkeys
Jigokudani park.
Zenkō-ji
Ancient temple.
Matsumoto Castle
Original keep.
Sake Breweries
Local tastings.
Togakushi
Cedar shrines.
Japanese Alps
Mountain scenery.
Jigokudani
Hot spring valley.
Temple Town
Zenkō-ji streets.
1 hr awayMatsumoto Castle
Original keep.
1 hr awayJigokudani
Snow monkeys.
1 hr awayTogakushi
Cedar shrines.
Region awayJapanese Alps
Mountain scenery.
City awayZenkō-ji
Ancient temple.
Region awaySake Brewery
Local tastings.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Nagano visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Dec–Mar)
Snowy and magical — prime snow-monkey season.
Spring (Apr–May)
Cherry blossoms and mild mountain days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Cool highlands, ideal for the Alps.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Spectacular autumn colours in the mountains.
For snow monkeys
Winter for the classic bathing scenes.
Best overall
Winter for monkeys, autumn for colour.
One day
The snow monkeys and Zenkō-ji.
Two days
Add Matsumoto Castle and sake.
Three days
Add Togakushi and the Japanese Alps.
For monkeys
The Jigokudani park in winter.
For temples
Zenkō-ji and Togakushi.
For mountains
A Japanese Alps day trip.
By train
The bullet train links Nagano and Tokyo in 90 min.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach the monkey park, Matsumoto and Alps.
On foot
Zenkō-ji and its temple town are walkable.
By car
A car helps for the mountains and shrines.
Where to stay
Stay near Zenkō-ji or the station.
Japanese yen
Japan uses the yen; carry some cash.
Snow monkeys
Wear warm, waterproof shoes for the snowy walk.
Zenkō-ji
Try the underground “key to paradise” passage.
Matsumoto
Climb the original keep for Alps views.
Local food
Try soba noodles and Nagano sake.
Togakushi
Walk the ancient cedar avenue to the shrine.
Dress warm
The mountains are cold — bring layers.
Snow monkey tours
Winter tours fill up — book ahead.
Temple tours
Zenkō-ji tours fill up — reserve early.
Matsumoto trips
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Sake tours
Brewery tours fill up — reserve early.
Alps trips
Summer Alps tours fill up — book ahead.
Winter & autumn
These are busiest — book well ahead.
Snow monkey tour
Around €110–160 for a snow monkey tour.
Temple tour
About €54–90 for a Zenkō-ji tour.
Matsumoto trip
Roughly €82–150 for a Matsumoto day trip.
Sake tour
Around €24–50 for a sake tasting.
Alps trip
About €82–150 for a Japanese Alps day trip.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Nagano through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Snow monkeys.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Prime.
- Best for
- Blossoms.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- The Alps.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.
- Best for
- Autumn colour.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Superb.