Explore Nagano’s Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple and Sake! A Day Trip Guide

Nagano, located just two hours north of Tokyo, is a nature lover’s paradise that offers a variety of cultural and outdoor adventures. From snow monkeys, famous temples and sacred mountains, to amazing sake breweries and delicious cuisine, Nagano has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to a perfect day trip to Nagano to explore its wonderful offerings.

Where to Go

Snow Monkeys & Jigokudani Monkey Park

The most iconic tourist attraction in Nagano is Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys. The park is located about 2 hours outside Nagano City, and it requires a bit of effort to get to. But, once you arrive, you’re rewarded with a delightful and unique experience: bathing snow monkeys! Seeing wild animals in their natural environment is captivating, and the park has become one of Japan’s greatest natural wonders. Although Jigokudani Monkey Park can be reached by public transportation and on foot, it’s also possible to join an all-day tour from Nagano. Tour companies offer transportation from Nagano City to the park entrance and provide experienced guides to help you make the most out of your time there.

Zenkoji Temple

Zenkoji is a sacred Buddhist temple in the city of Nagano, one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan. It dates to the seventh century and is registered as an important cultural asset. It houses several of Buddhism’s most prized artifacts, including a replica of the first wooden statue of Buddha created in Japan. The grounds are quite spacious with several books shops about Buddhism and artifacts shop as well. It also has a museum that explains the history of Christianity in Japan, which plays an important role in Zenkoji’s history. The temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm and has an admission fee of 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. If you’re after a more special experience, you can go on a private tour led by knowledgeable English-speaking monks. They offer unique insight into the spirituality and culture of Zenkoji Temple and can provide additional information about Buddhism.

Sake Brewey Tour

Nagano is renowned for its sake, a brewed rice wine that is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Japan. The prefecture boasts more than 150 breweries, so there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about this special drink while visiting Nagano. One popular brewery tour offered is with Sake Nihombashi from Nagano City. This tour lasts about two hours and provides guests with a detailed lesson on sake-making and an opportunity to sample some of the brewery’s sake selection. During the tour, you’ll learn about the different processes involved in making sake and get a firsthand look at how each step contributes to the final product. If you’d like to sample some of the sake from Nagano after the tour, you can purchase it from Sake Nihombashi as souvenirs. Be sure to sample some during or after your tour—the flavors are refreshing and really capture the essence of Nagano!

Where to Eat

Nagano is home to some delicious cuisine but it’s best known for its soba noodles—thin buckwheat noodles served Hot or Cold – which have been made since 1887. Whether you decide to have a bowl of soba noodles or something else, there’s plenty of delicious seafood dishes and various other regional delicacies to enjoy. Here are some restaurants that we recommend:

Iruka Soba

Iruka Soba is well-known for its delicious soba noodles made from buckwheat flour from Nagano Prefecture. You can sample both cold and hot soba noodles here, and each bowl comes with a generous portion of dipping sauce. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff here are very friendly and accommodating.

Kato Yuzu Honten

Kato Yuzu Honten is also located in Nagano City, and it’s best known for its Yuzu dishes. Yuzu is a citrus fruit that grows abundantly throughout Japan. At Kato Yuzu Honten, you can indulge in dishes like yuzu-flavored ramen and tempura, as well as a refreshing yuzu smoothie after your meal.

Jyonakamura

Another popular restaurant in Nagano City is Jyonakamura, which serves up traditional Japanese food using ingredients sourced from nearby farms. The menu consists of appetizers, main dishes and desserts, all made with ingredients grown in Nagano Prefecture. The atmosphere here is quite cozy and traditional, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get to Nagano is by taking the bullet train from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. The ride takes about two hours and costs anywhere from 10,000 yen (approx $90) for a one-way ticket. Once you arrive in Nagano Station, you can take the local train or bus to reach the sights mentioned above. If you don’t have time to travel by train or bus, you can also explore Nagano with a guided tour. There are several companies offering day trips to Nagano that include transportation from Tokyo as well as an English-speaking guide who will show you around the city. This is a great option for those who want to get an overview of all that Nagano has to offer in a short period of time.

Conclusion

A short day trip from Tokyo or Ueno in Japan will take you straight into the stunning prefecture of Nagano—a region blessed with lush forests, sacred mountains, hot springs and impressive cultural landmarks like Zenkoji Temple and Jigokudani Monkey Park. With other activities such as exploring old sake breweries and sampling regional delicacies like soba noodles, it’s no wonder that people come here time and time again to experience the many facets of this amazing area! If you’re looking for an exciting day trip filled with culture, adventure and traditions that go back centuries, then look no further than a day trip to Nagano! With experienced tour companies offering transportation and guided tours, it’s easy to explore this fantastic prefecture without any worries at all! To make your trip even better, be sure to check out [GetYourGuide’s amazing selection of Nagano experiences](https://www.getyourguide.com/nagano-activity-deals?partner_id=UWJ1LS2). Whether it’s tasting sake at a brewery or watching wild monkeys relax in hot springs—you’ll find unforgettable experiences for your trip!