Late morning start time

Zenkoji temple

*The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station is the most convenient access to Nagano city. (Not included in tour price but can be arranged upon request)

Late morning

Your guide will meet you upon arrival at Nagano station. Any luggage can be transferred to the hotel from here.

Start with a walk up to Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Temples.
Founded in the 7th century and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduced in the 6th century.
Lunch at one of the many restaurants around the Temple grounds.

2:00pm

Togakushi

Transfer by vehicle to Togakushi (50 mins). In contrast to Nagano City’s Buddhist Temple Zenkoji, the woods of Togakushi are dotted with Shinto shrines. For over 1000 years, ascetic monks have traveled here seeking training and enlightenment.

Check in to Gokui a Pilgrims Inn. Afternoon of contemplation with Shakyo and Zen meditation.
*Shakyo is a Japanese Buddhist practice handwriting Sutras. Shakyo is considered a form of meditation and spiritual practice.

A highlight of staying in a Shukubo Pilgrims Inn is the shojin ryouro, vegan temple food that is incredibly delicious, even if you are not vegan!

• Activity

  Easy flat walking |3.5km/2.2miles |Time: 2 hours

7:30am

Okusha shrine

Start the day with ‘Chouhai’ or Morning Prayers, the Monk performs this daily
ritual and anyone can join, simply take in the atmosphere. Allow 20 mins.

Enjoy a healthy breakfast before departing for the days activities.

A short drive for today’s snowshoe hike in the beautiful forest around Togakushi Shrine and Joshinetsu national park. We begin the day by snowshoeing through the woods, before coming to an opening and a frozen lake. On clear days, the view of Mt. Togakushi in the background is stunning. We continue onto a cedar lined avenue with 400-year-old trees and a famous thatch gate. We snowshoe down to the shrine entrance, where are picked up and taken to a late lunch in Togakushi village.

• Activity

  Snowshoe trekking 5km|3.1miles. 3-4 hours

Afternoon

Shibu Onsen

Transfer by vehicle to Shibu Onsen, about 1.5 hours drive to rest up and bathe in the healing onsen waters at a Shibu Onsen Ryokan, a traditional Japanese Inn. A Ryokan is not only a place to unwind and rejuvenate but also a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of hot springs in Japan.

Immerse yourself in traditional Japanese hospitality; sleep in tatami-matted rooms and futon beds, take communal baths (private onsen baths also available).
A highlight is the exquisite kaiseki (multi-course) meal featuring local and seasonal
ingredients.

• Activity

  Snowshoe trekking 5km|3.1miles. 3-4 hours

Snow Monkey Park

Start today with a visit to the Snow Monkey Park. It is a short drive to the Snow Monkey trailhead and a short hike (1.5 km) This is highly popular with visitors both domestic and overseas, especially in the winter months. Getting there early in the morning is ideal before all the tourist buses arrive.

Make soba noodles

After the morning visiting the monkeys, return to Shibu Onsen village where we try our hand at making our own soba noodles with a charismatic teacher. Soba noodles can be eaten throughout Japan but they are especially famous in Nagano. With abundant buckwheat and fresh water from the mountains, Nagano’s artisans make simple yet incredibly aromatic soba.

Dinner at a local Izakaya restaurant
Stay a second night at the Ryokan Japanese Inn

• Activity

  Light walking 5km|3.1miles. 3 hours

After checking out of the Ryokan, drive 40 mins to Shiga Kogen where we take a series of chairlifts up the highest elevation ski resort in Japan. On clear days the views are spectacular with sights of both Mt. Fuji and the Sea of Japan. We stop to enjoy a coffee and crumpet at the crumpet cafe, before descending 3 hours to the bottom of Yokoteyama Ski Resort.

After the snowshoe trek, a vehicle will transfer you back to Nagano City.

The return drive back to Nagano, stop by the town of Obuse. This historic town lined with elegant Edo-style homes and quaint gardens was once loved by Hokusai, the ukiyo-e woodblock print artist best known for depicting Mt. Fuji and towering ocean waves. The town pays its respects to the celebrated artist with the Hokusai Museum and many points of interests to fill the creative soul. Obuse is a major production area for sweet chestnuts, within a prefecture that is already known for its excellent rice, buckwheat and sake, so you are sure to find plenty of tempting treats.

• Activity

  Snowshoe trekking 6km|4.2 miles. 4 hours