Things to do in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

A great tour for all seasons, this is a 1-day guided tour of the most famous attractions of Nagano City and Jigokudani or “Hell’s Valley”, home of the Snow Monkeys. Take a scenic route to see the cutest monkeys in the world, then experience the tranquility of Zenkoji Temple and lively Nakamise shopping street. For guests traveling from Hakuba, from December through March, your journey can begin with a shuttle from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal at 7:55 AM; otherwise, meet your guide at Nagano Station at 9:35 AM (please be at your chosen pickup point in advance of the meetup time as the tour needs to depart on-time). Famous for being the temple to hold the first Buddhist statue in Japan. Zenkoji Temple has a special energy and welcomes people of all faiths and religions. The temple grounds are beautiful and tranquil; there are hidden gems to explore, such as the dark tunnel running under the temple, said to be where you can gain enlightenment by finding the “Key To Paradise”. After lunch, return to Nagano Station again by public transport and take local bus from there to the Snow Monkeys. World-famous for their rare habit of soaking in the hot spring and living in the snow, these amazing macaques will let you get really close to them for some great photo opportunities and an unforgettable experience. After saying goodbye to the snow monkeys, stroll back along the tranquil forest trail to a delicious lunch at the restaurant near the trail exit. After seeing the Snow Monkeys, head to the local Japanese sake brewery to try various types of sake maybe even find a nice souvenir for yourself.

Meet your guide at JR Nagano Station and board the tour bus to begin your journey to the fabled Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Arriving at Ogisawa Station around 10:15, prepare for your ascent before boarding the Kanden Tunnel trolley bus at 11:00, the first of a variety of mountain transports you will utilize to reach the summit. Your first stop is the Kurobe Dam. Constructed between 1956 and 1963, this immense structure required the labor of up to 10 million people and is Japan's highest dam. A source of national pride and emblematic of man's attempts to conquer nature, enjoy some time to admire the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains before starting the next leg of your journey toward the summit. Next, head to the Tateyama Ropeway. Spanning 1700 meters, you will be transported upward to the final stop of Daikanbo, before taking the final trolley bus to Murodo. At 2450 meters, this is Japan's highest station – an isolated outpost in an inhospitable, dramatic landscape. Stroll through the iconic snow corridor which rises up 20 meters above you. Enjoy 1.5 to 2 hours of free time to stroll around the area, with enough time to visit the museums before beginning the journey back to Nagano.

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 a chilly, mountainous region, northern Nagano’s blossoms start blooming later than those in cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Every year, the blossoms normally come into bloom from the middle of April. Nagano is not as famous as an aforementioned city 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 and cherry blossoms on the same day, this tour is perfect for you. First, you will be taken to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you can observe the wild Japanese macaques at an incredibly close distance. April is generally the month when newborn babies arrive to the Jigokudani monkey troop. Usually there are 20 to 30 babies born every spring, and it’s endearing to see the newborns taking their first step and climb. After being filled by a Japanese lunch, the tour will take you to the hanami spots where cherry blossoms can be seen. The spots are selected depending on the degree of bloom of the blossoms on the tour date. Each spot has different types of cherry blossoms with overall more than 500 to 1000 sakura trees. Experience the yearly tradition to welcome spring in full. After enjoying the cherry blossoms, you will be taken to the train that takes you back to JR Nagano Station. The tour is scheduled to conclude at JR Nagano Station by 6:30 PM. Don’t miss this special opportunity to witness Japan’s beautiful spring.

Take the hassle out of your vacation transportation with the Japan Rail Pass. Explore the whole country with just one ticket and ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train. Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka to Hiroshima, and Hokkaido to Kyushu – Japan's your oyster with a 7, 14, or 21-day pass. Get your voucher mailed to your home or office address, then exchange this for your actual Japan Rail Pass at a major train station or international airport in Japan and start traveling. Use the free guide booklet to make the best of your Japan trip, thanks to insider tips and train details. Travel as much as you like for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass includes: • All Japan Rail Group shinkansen bullet trains, except the Nozomi and Mizuho departures • All Japan Rail Group limited express, express, rapid, local, trains, and Bus Rapid Transit in Tohoku • Tokyo Monorail between Haneda airport and Hamamatsucho station (no service to Narita) • Aomori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe (some exceptions) • Ishikawa Railway services between Kanazawa and Tsubata (local, limited departures only) • Ainokaze Toyama Railway services between Toyama and Takaoka (local departures only) • All Japan Rail Bus local lines (some exceptions, no express services), including services from JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, and JR Kyushu Bus • JR-West ferry service between Miyajima and Miyajimaguchi (JR station near the pier with ferry services for Miyajima)

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer with a 24-hour service between Kansai Airport and your accommodation in Osaka City Center area. Avoid long taxi lines, busy public transport, Get help with your heavy bags and skip confusion with a professional meet and greet service. Choose between a nighttime or daytime transfer options to or from the Kansai Airport. Find your driver with ease, as they will be holding a sign with your name on it. Save yourself from having to carry heavy bags all by yourself with the included luggage assistance.  Climb aboard a vehicle that is regularly maintained to high-quality standards. Travel directly with this private service. our driver will track your flight, so you won't have to worry in case of a flight delay. Transfer worry-free knowing that you get 60-minutes of free waiting time for arrivals, 30-minutes of free waiting time for departures, 120-minutes of free waiting for flight delays. Let your driver take care of local traffic for you while you admire the city. 

If you want to enjoy a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, this one-day tour to Hakone, Owakudani, and Mt. Fuji is what you need. Board the bus from Ikebukuro or Shinjuku, the heart of this busy city. The bus will take you away from your routine and let you breathe fresh air by the lake in Hakone area. Start your journey of the day by cruising using the famous Hakone Pirate Ship! This beautiful ship will take you from Motohakone pier to Togendai pier in 25 minutes. Indulge your eyes with its magnificent exterior and interior design. After being awed by the pirate ship, rest a little bit while having lunch at Togendai View Restaurant. If you finish your lunch early, you can wander around Togendai Station and find what it has to offer. Get ready to be amazed by the view from the Hakone ropeway! After lunch, this tour will take you from Togendai to Owakudani in 30 minutes using Hakone Ropeway. It has signature view for each season throughout the year! The trip is not over yet. The area around the crater created by the last eruption of Mt. Hakone, which occurred roughly 3000 years ago, is known as Owakudani. Sulfur fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers can be experienced throughout a large portion of the region, which is currently an active volcanic area. On a clear day, Owakudani also offers a fantastic glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Upon arriving at Mt. Fuji 5th Station, spend the following 40 minutes discovering and soaking in the breathtaking views of Japan. A well-known symbol of Japan standing at 3776 meters high, the spectacular Mt.Fuji has made the subject of literature and art throughout Japanese history. After that we will bring you back to Tokyo.

Visit the newly reopened Nagai Botanical Garden, which is run by the art collective teamLab as a hybrid garden and art space. Wander through the grounds home to roughly 1,200 species of plants, then enjoy the interactive art installations which come alive at night. Stroll through the botanical gardens, with its 240,000 square meters of grounds and wide array of plant species to admire. Stop by the central pond and relax in the serene natural beauty of the gardens. As night draws in, stay to discover teamLab’s unique art project which explores how nature can become art. The concept of the project is that non-material digital technology like light displays can turn nature into art without harming it.  Watch incredible light spectacles which actively interact with the surrounding nature, animals, and visitors, and become part of the artwork yourself as you experience it. 

Discover Mount Fuji, Japan's most popular sightseeing destination, on a day trip from Tokyo & Yokohama. Explore highlights of Hakone, known for hot spring resorts and picturesque views. Visit them both as part of this private experience that can be designed to fit the wishes of your group. Example itinerary: Set off from Tokyo or Yokohama and head to the traditional village of Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. Continue to the scenic Oshino Hakkai at the foot of Mount Fuji. Enjoy some food at a local restaurant. Admire the views at Owakudani and take a cruise on Lake Ashi before returning to Tokyo. 【Attention】When you start it from Yokohama area, the course will be completely reversed. The visit to Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba might be changed depending on the season. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, visiting Arakurayama Mountain, famous for its 5-story pagoda, is often preferred. Other requests, including alternative pickup & drop-off points or vehicle type for your group, can also be accommodated. Please refer to remarks on "Important Information".

Access the internet anytime, anywhere with 4G LTE mobile WiFi provided by NINJA WiFi. No longer will you have to worry about finding your way without access to maps or missing important updates from friends and family. We have everything covered with our secure, easy to use WiFi routers. You can connect up to 5 devices at once to each router. Whether you are coming to Japan for business and you need to connect multiple phones, computers and/or tablets, to the internet, or are travelling for pleasure with a group of friends or family who all want internet access, we have you covered. Pick up your mobile WiFi router at Kansai International Airport to start using WiFi immediately. We also offer many ways to return your device, whether it be by dropping it off at any of our counters in major Japanese airports, at our counter in Shinjuku, Tokyo, or shipping it to us from anywhere in Japan. *If you wish to have a different return location, please contact info@ninjawifi.com as soon as possible. Mobile WiFi is a 21st century necessity that makes travelling much more fun and easy. We offer flexible plans from 5 days to 30 days, so you can choose what suits you best.

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer with a 24-hour service between Itami Airport and your accommodation in Kyoto City Center area. Avoid long taxi lines and busy public transport. Get help with your heavy bags and skip confusion with a professional meet and greet service. Choose between a nighttime or daytime transfer options to or from the Itami Airport. Find your driver with ease, as they will be holding a sign with your name on it. Save yourself from having to carry heavy bags all by yourself with the included luggage assistance.  Climb aboard a vehicle that is regularly maintained to high-quality standards. Travel directly with this private service. our driver will track your flight, so you won't have to worry in case of a flight delay. Transfer worry-free knowing that you get 60-minutes of free waiting time for arrivals, 30-minutes of free waiting time for departures, 120-minutes of free waiting for flight delays. Let your driver take care of local traffic for you while you admire the city.