The 10 Best Scenic Railroads in Nagano Prefecture, Chubu

Travel to Japan's Nagano Prefecture on this 12-hour private guided trip from Tokyo. Ride the fast Shinkansen (bullet) train, visit the 1,400-year-old Zenkoji Temple, and see snow monkeys soaking in the hot spring at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Round-trip transportation fare by Shinkansen, Local transportation fee, Hotel pickup

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Hike a section of the Nakasendo Trail on a 3- or 4-day self-guided tour from Tokyo or Kyoto that includes all rail transport. A series of forested trails and paved village paths linking the two cities comprise the Nakasendo, a trail among an ancient network of Japanese highways. Follow in the footsteps of travelers from the Edo period who walked this mountain route via the Kiso Valley. Stop in the best-preserved post towns — known as ‘juku’ — where you’ll stay overnight in local ‘minshuku’ (guest houses). Traditional Japanese dinners and breakfasts are included! Overnight accommodation is limited to 8 people on this independent tour, ensuring a personable experience with a small group of fellow travelers. This tour is self-guided - there is no attending guide - and is suitable for 1 to 8 travellers.

Inclusions: Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, 2 or 3 nights accommodation depends on your tour, Rail tickets to and from Kyoto/Tokyo and the trail

Exclusions: Drinks or other meals, guiding, Hotel Pick up or drop off, Solo supplement, Local bus fares (approximately 1200 JPY in value - payable locally)

On this full day private tour, visit the city of Matsumoto with your tour guide. Enjoy the historical Matsumoto Castle, the unique streets of Nawate and Nakamachi and see Daio Wasasbi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in Japan in the tranquil Hotaka Town.

Inclusions: Transportation within Matsumoto City (either public transportation or private chartered vehicle), Trip to Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street, Daio Wasabi Farm and more, Flexibility to customize your itinerary according to your preferences.

Exclusions: Meals, snacks and drinks, Optional Activities in Matsumoto

See the real Japan and experience its culture beyond the typical tourist sites. You'll walk through busy streets, ride the bullet train, and enjoy local foods. Each tour is customized to fit the preferences of the group.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner

Exclusions:

See the real Japan and experience its culture beyond the typical tourist sites. You'll walk through busy streets, ride the bullet train, and enjoy local foods. Each tour is customized to fit the preferences of the group.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast

Exclusions: Travel Insurance, Airfare

From the neon lights of buzzing Tokyo to ancient temples on snowy mountain tops, Japan is a feast for the senses and INTRO is the most amazing way to experience it! You’ll walk the streets of one of the world’s busiest and most futuristic cities, watch monkeys bathe in hot springs, roll your own sushi, visit ancient shrines and castles, get taught to wield a sword by a Samurai master, stay overnight with monks in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple, experience incredible and unique accommodation and much more! With an awesome group leader from the moment you arrive at the hotel, an instant group of friends and help with all your onward travel. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, 12 Nights Accommodation, All Transport, Awesome Group Leader, Help with Onward Travel, Tokyo City Tour, Nightlife, Traditional Japanese Style Accom, Ancient Temples & Shrines, Fish Markets, Sushi Class, Sake Tasting & Brewery, Jigokudani Snow Monkeys, Shiga Kogen National Park, Lake Ashi Pirate Ship Cruise, Mount Fuji Cable Car Views, Osaka Castle Visit, Overnight Stay at Buddhist Temple, Meditation & Night Temple Walk, Morning Prayer & Fire Ceremony, Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion Temple, Fushimi Inari Temple, Samurai Experience

Exclusions: Flights, Some Meals, Travel Insurance, Visas

Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenko-ji Temple – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - followed by sake tasting and lunch at a nearby restaurant. It's then time to head to the Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys! All led by a locally-based English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to see the best that Nagano has to offer and get up close and personal with its most famous furry residents! From Dec.1st 2020 until Mar.15 2021 guests based in Hakuba have the option of joining this tour by using our morning shuttle service from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal*. Departing at 08:20, our staff will have you board the tour bus and begin your journey toward the Snow Monkey Park. *Please note, that the guide will join the tour from JR Nagano Station.

Inclusions: Transportation fee from Nagano to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities/attractions, Lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available, please try to let us know in advance), Sake tasting, English-speaking guide

Exclusions: Shinkansen/bullet train tickets, Entry to paid attractions at Zenko-ji , Additional food, snacks and drinks

Enjoy a 2-day, 1 night trip in Nagano where you will spend one full day with an English-speaking guide taking you around the city—enjoying attractions such as snow monkeys, the famous Zenkoji Temple and later relaxing at a traditional onsen (hot springs) and enjoying a traditional Japanese multi-course (kaiseki) dinner at a traditional Japanese ryokan (hotel). On the second day after checking out of the hotel, spend the free day snowboarding/ skiing or spend more time exploring the city on your own (without tour guide), or book one of the add-on second-day tours with us.

Inclusions: Private tour with local tour guide (tour guide on the first day only, the second day is free day without tour guide), Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation within Nagano City on the first day (public transport or chartered vehicle options), Onsen (hot springs) experience at hotel. Please note that the onsen is within the hotel and may not be connected to your room (there may be times when there is no onsen within your hotel, but you will have access to the onsen in the area of the ryokan). For private onsen experience, it is available at additional cost at the ryokan (usually around 1500 to 2500 JPY for 1 hour), Overnight accommodation at traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) rated at 3 Stars (or 4 - 5 Star hotel option is available at checkout)

Exclusions: Lunch, snacks and drinks, Optional activities, Add-on experiences on the second day (available at booking), Private onsen experience (additional cost for private experience at ryokan), Gratuities

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

Inclusions: 1 night overnight accommodation at family run traditional Japanese inn, 1 Japanese breakfast, 1 Japanese dinner, Detailed day-by-day itinerary and directions (PDF), Detailed walking map (Google Map), Local support by telephone

Exclusions: Activities entrance fees, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Guide, Drinks, Lunches, Travel insurance, Train tickets according to itinerary (*if NO TRAIN option selected), Luggage delivery

Explore Matsumoto at your own pace and to your own interests on this full-day private guided tour. Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's best-preserved castles, then explore surrounding streets, including quirky "Frog Street," known for its abundance of frog products. Afterward, visit tranquil Hotaka Town, home to Japan’s largest wasabi farm where you can try wasabi ice-cream and visit nearby Hotaka Shrine.

Inclusions: Transportation within Matsumoto City (either public transportation or private chartered vehicle), Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off within Matsumoto, Flexibility to customize your itinerary according to your preferences, Trip to Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street, Daio Wasabi Farm and more

Exclusions: Meals, snacks and drinks, Optional Activities in Matsumoto