Top 10 Bus Tours in Nagano, Chubu

Sitting just outside Nagano City, the forests of Togakushi are home to some of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines - a place linked to the very creation myths of Japan itself and the mountain refuge of the Togakure Ninja. This engaging tour takes you along short sections of the pilgrimage trails of the ‘Togakushi Kodo’ and deep into myth and legend. Including visits to two of the most important shrines, the Togakushi Ninja Museum and ending at the grand avenue of giant cedars.

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Transport from/to Nagano Station & Togakushi using public bus, Lunch, Entry ticket to the Togakushi Ninja Museum, Guided tour at all listed attractions

Exclusions: Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket, Accommodation, Additional food, snacks & drinks

Situated between the popular destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, the mountainous of region of Nagano is the literal heart of Japan and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This tour combines some of the region’s most iconic destinations - including the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, the 1400-year old Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, and the historic old town of Takayama - with the unforgettable experience of being driven through Japan’s Northern Alps, a place of high mountain peaks and rarefied beauty. With English-speaking guide, lunch, and full-service accommodation on Day 1 followed by hotel pick-up and transport to Matsumoto and Takayama, including hotel drop-off, on Day 2, this tour captures the history and beauty of central Japan with the convenience and comfort of one easy package.

Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Transportation from Nagano to all listed destinations, ending at Takayama, Snow Monkey Park entrance fee, Sake tasting, Accommodation at Hotel Kokusai 21 on Day 1 (inc. breakfast on Day 2), Matsumoto Castle entrance fee on Day 2, English-speaking guide & transport on Day 1, Driver & transport on Day 2

Exclusions: Dinner on Day 1 & Day 2, Accommodation in Takayama, Shinkansen/bullet train tickets, English-speaking guide on Day 2

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

With pickup points in both Nagano City and Hakuba, this tour takes you to the 'Roof of Japan' and the fabled Snow Walls of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Situated in the dramatic alpine landscape of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, this is one of Japan’s most iconic and unique sights, accessible only in spring and early summer and via a series of different mountain transports. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied on every leg of your journey to the Roof of Japan and back down again – the perfect way to experience one of Japan’s more remote and stunning landscapes.

Inclusions: Transportation to/from all listed destinations, English-speaking guide, Tateyama Kurrobe Alpine Route ticket

Exclusions: Lunch, Other food, snacks & drinks, Shinkansen/Bullet Train tickets, Accommodation

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour marks the midpoint of winter and illuminates Nagano’s ancient heart! Including dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this tour brings warmth and light into the midst of winter. This tour begins at Nagano Station, from where you will be transported to the Jigokudani Monkey Park before returning to Nagano City for an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, before being guided around the Zenko-ji Temple precinct in the beauty and tranquility of its annual Tomyo Lantern Festival. All led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to experience the best of Nagano in winter.

Inclusions: Entry tickets to the Snow Monkey Park, Dinner, Air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guide

Exclusions: Shinkansen/bullet train tickets, Accommodation, Additional food, snacks & drinks

On this tour, spend a full-day in Nagano exploring the city and enjoying what this quaint town has to offer. Your English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or Nagano Train Station at 8:45 AM. You will either take public transportation (train and bus) or private chartered vehicle around town based on your booking. Immerse yourself in the city's culture and visit major Nagano attractions such as Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, the famous Zenkoji Temple, Chikuma River, Obuse Town, and relax in a traditional onsen/ hot spring (optional).

Inclusions: Private tour with English-speaking (or other available language) tour guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels within Central Nagano only), Transportation within Nagano City , Fuel surcharge

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Onsen (hot spring) fee: 700 JPY per person, Other optional activities for guests .

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

This tour takes you from JR Nagano Station to the world-famous Jigokudani snow monkeys and to some of the most beloved cherry blossom viewing spots in Nagano. Seeing the blooming cherry blossoms (called hanami in Japanese) is one of the most Japanese things one can do whilst being in the land of the rising sun. Located in the cooler, mountainous region of northern Nagano, cherry blossoms tend to bloom later in this region than those in cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Every year, the blossoms normally come into bloom from 2nd week of April. Nagano is not as famous as aforementioned cities but has many lovely places where you can see the brightly colored flowers. If you wish to get off the beaten track and see the wild monkeys & cherry blossoms on the same day, this tour is perfect for you.

Inclusions: Transport fee from Nagano to the Jigokudani Monkey Park and between all activities/attractions, Snow Monkey Park entrance fee, Lunch, English-speaking guide

Exclusions: Bullet train tickets

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

This tour combines a visit to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani with attendance of the Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival - Japan's largest and most stunning autumn fireworks display. With over 15,000 individual fireworks bursting into light over two hours, this annual festival first began as a small local event in 1899 and is now hailed as the grandest autumn fireworks show in Japan, attracting more than 400,000 people to Nagano to witness the spectacle!

Inclusions: Transportation fee from Nagano to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities/attractions, Lunch (vegetarian options are available, please let us know beforehand), Reserved seat (Ebisu seat) at the Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival, English-speaking guide, Entry ticket to the Jigokudani Monkey Park

Exclusions: Shinkansen/Bullet train tickets, Dinner (there are many vendors at the festival so you can choose freely from what is available there), Accommodation