Where to Drink Sake in Nagano: 15 Day Trips

1.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

Travel from Nagano to Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park with an English-speaking guide. Expect a traditional lunch, forest walking, free time at each stop, and a real chance to see macaques near the hot spring. Winter guests from Hakuba can use the shuttle service.

“We were lucky to have Tom as our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about Japanese history but also gave an excellent summary of sake production and the different types as well as the snow monkeys and Nagano attractions. Tom was also very generous with recommendations for other areas in Japan. The tour was an excellent combination of the temple tour and snow monkey forest. Fantastic lunch included. Plenty of time to see the Zenkoji temple as well as the monkeys. Thanks Tom”

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2.Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Follow an English-speaking guide through Zenkoji Temple, a local sake tasting and a generous Nagano lunch before walking 1.6 km to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom and Hiroshi add local stories, practical help and humor. Winter pickup from Hakuba is available.

“What a wonderful day! The guides were great and very informative. The transportation was perfect. The meal was amazing. So fun and wonderful.”

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3.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Start at 8:45 am for a private Nagano day with an English-speaking guide. Walk to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, visit Zenko-ji, explore Obuse and the Hokusai Museum, then choose sake tasting or Shibu Onsen. Private-car and public-transport options are available.

“Our tour guide, Emi was absolutely wonderful! So kind and full of knowledge. The visit to see the snow monkeys was an unforgettable experience-felt like you were in a National Geographic magazine! I highly recommend booking this activity.”

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4.Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $111

Spend three hours with an English-speaking guide such as Masa or Robin, visiting family-run izakaya, backstreet bars, and a noodle shop in Nagano. You’ll eat at least five dishes, enjoy two drinks, hear local stories, and receive photos from the evening.

“Very tasty and memorable selection of dining experiences - one of our favorite food tours. Thank you so much Masa! A pleasure to meet you and we'll certainly reach out on future trips to the area.”

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5.Snow Monkey, Zenko Ji Temple, Sake in Nagano Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews

This private 8 to 10-hour Nagano tour links Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, a local lunch stop, and Obuse. An English-speaking guide or driver-guide such as Bhatti, Ahmed, or Waheed handles transport for up to six people. Expect walking, extra entry fees, and a flexible day.

“Visiting the snow monkeys was amazing and highly recommend. However be warned that this is in no way a wheelchair accessible, stroller accessible or if you’re unfit in any way physically to go, as it requires you to walk 1.25 miles each way in muddy/wet terrain and colRead more”

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6.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Brewery. The day includes park admission, lunch, temple guiding, sake tasting, and transport, with guides such as Jens and Yama leading past tours.

“We had a great day out with Yama! We loved that there were only two large groups. The monkeys were great fun to watch and the walk through snow laden pines to see them was lovely! Lunch was a welcome surprise and we really enjoRead more”

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7.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $64

Walk from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple with an English-speaking guide such as Masa, Masashi, or Kazumi. Taste more than five local sakes, plum wine, three amazake drinks, miso soup, and Japanese snacks, then visit a 120-year-old former sake factory.

“We had a fantastic time. Our tour guide Kazumi was great. She was very knowledgable about sake. During the walking tour we also visited a pepper shop and a temple.”

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8.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $162

Join a small group of up to 12 with guides such as Masa or Kei for a 7 to 8-hour Nagano day. Walk to Jigokudani’s macaque hot springs, eat lunch in Obuse, taste two sakes, visit the Hokusai area, and add Zenkoji Temple on early departures.

“This is a wonderful tour with Mr Masa if you have never been to Nagano. He is very knowledgeable and took us to see the snow monkeys , Obuse where we had a wonderful lunch and shopping and then to the Zenkoji temple.”

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9.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $63Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Starbucks in MIDORI Nagano for a two-hour walk to Zenkoji Temple, a 300-year-old brewery, and an unused 120-year-old sake factory. Taste at least five sakes, three amazake drinks, miso soup, soy sauce beans, and pickles. Guides may include Masa or Marcel.

“Our guide was very nice and told us a lot about Nagano and sake production. We really appreciated the time we spent with her and her expertise.”

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10.Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Meet your English-speaking guide outside Starbucks at Nagano Station for a three-hour walk through local izakaya and backstreet bars. Eat more than five dishes, including yakitori, gyoza, and noodles, enjoy two drinks, and let guides such as Masa or Megumi introduce you to places that are hard to find alone.

“Such a personal and fun tour! Great food and conversation. I would highly recommend!”

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11.Explore Matsumoto: Castle, Sake & Taste of Local Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $112

Meet your English-speaking guide, often Masa, at Matsumoto Station for a fast-paced walk to the 16th-century castle, a local sake brewery, Nawate Street, and Nakamachi. Castle entry, sake, snacks, local food tips, and post-tour photos are included.

“Great guide, and interesting areas. Saki tasting in 400 year with old Saki company was exceptional.”

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12.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $160

Meet your English-speaking guide at Nagano Station for a small-group day with 6 to 8 people, usually led by Masa. Walk to Jigokudani’s macaques, eat lunch in Obuse, taste two premium sakes, visit the Hokusai Museum, and choose a Zenkoji drop-off on the 8:45 departure.

“Masa was an excellent guide, we had a fabulous day getting out of the city and into nature, could not fault it! Comfortable transport, great information, very personable guide and the forest was magical but the absolute highlight was seeing snow monkeys. Also loved the village experience, art gallery (The Great Wave one), lunch and sake tasting fantastic . thank you Masa😀”

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13.Nagano: Togakushi Shrine, Sake & Zenkoji Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $190

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Dai-san, traveling by private car from Nagano or nearby areas to Togakushi, a local soba lunch, a historic sake brewery, and Zenkoji. Your guide can also take photos during the day and give you the finished images.

“Dai~san was excellent and very kind! He spent a lot of time taking professional photos for us and took us to a good local soba spot. Highly recommend!”

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14.Heritage Town, Cuisine, Sake & Art: Explore Hokusai in Obuse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $176

Travel from Nagano to Obuse with a guide such as Masa for a 4.5 to 5-hour walking tour focused on Hokusai, local art, sake, and food. Visit three cultural sites, enjoy a set lunch, explore quiet lanes, and return by private transport or train.

“Masa met us at the train stop (only 30 min from Nagano) and was a fantastic guide. He knows the nooks and crannies of Obuse, and showed us through the local private garden ways that residents have opened to the public. Throughout the tRead more”

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15.Snow Monkeys Sake Tasting Zenko-ji and Monzen Terrace Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $543

Meet the famous macaques at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, sample local sake in Obuse, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and choose a Nagano-style lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya. A private, air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day simple, though attraction admission and alcohol cost extra.

“Went on this trip for my birthday, easily one of the best and most memorable things I have done. Our driver was so very friendly and answered any questions. He even went above and beyond at the restaurant letting them know it was my birthday and the brought out soRead more”

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