Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the Soul of Nagano through Zenkoji Temple’s History, Local Culture, and Delicious Cuisine
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Nagano City, Zenkoji Temple & Surrounding Areas
Type: Walking Tour
✨ Tour Highlights ✨
1️⃣ Zenkoji Temple Exploration ️
Step into one of Japan’s most historic and spiritual sites!
Discover the ancient beauty of Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples.
Marvel at the intricate wooden architecture and learn about its significance in Japanese Buddhism.
2️⃣ Hidden Stories & Local Legends
Walk through the temple grounds and nearby streets as your guide shares fascinating stories and local lore.
3️⃣ Delicious Food Tastings
Oyaki Dumplings
Traditional Japanese Sweets
Sake Tasting
4️⃣ Explore Nakamise Street ️
5️⃣ Interactive Cultural Experiences
Try your hand at traditional activities, like fortune-telling, and learn about Japanese customs.
Book Your Tour Today!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Walking shoes are recommended
Minimum alcahol drinking age is 20 years. So we offer another drink for under 20.
In case of late arrival, the tour cannot be extended.
Not suitable for person who needs gluten free food.
This tour generally requires 2 or more guests to operate. For solo travelers, feel free to contact us before booking to confirm availability.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
2 Oyaki(Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)
High quality photographs taken throughout the experience to be shared with you after the tour
Sake Tasting
Matcha Tea & Sweets
Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
Meal for infant
Transportation fee to meeting point
What To Expect
Meet Up At: infront of Starbucks at Nagano station. We will explore the greater part of Zenkoji temple town where is an old and residential area. We will visit 2 - 3 local shops to try authentic Japanese bites and sweets. ⇨ Stop At: Oyaki House Taste Nagano's special product "Oyaki", which is Japanese stuffed dumplings and from local village called "Ogawa". Oyaki is cooked in irori, which is a traditional Japanese sunken hearth and you can have it near by cozy & warm bonfire. ⇨ Walking High Street to Zenkoji Temple You can look around some Nagano’s local products for souvenir on the high street and see 1400 years history of National treasure temple. ⇨ Sake Tasting You can try to taste variety of Sake with nibbles like soy source beans and some Japanese pickles. Also you can have Nagano’s miso soup. ⇨ Walking on back street. As we walk on back street, you will see local shrines, local shops and neighborhood of Nagano city. ⇨ Arrival at Matcha Tea Place You have Matcha tea in Japanese style room and also very nice Japanese sweet. ⇨ Pop in local shop on back street. You can pop in local shop to see Nagano’s local products. Tour Concludes *The time depends on the group
Sample Menu
dessert
Matcha tea & sweets
main
Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)
Options
Nagano's Food & Cultural Walking Tours
Reviews
53 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour to get to know Nagano quickly!
Karen A,
Apr 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a wonderful walking tour with Kasumi and her protege, Tak. We spent a quiet Monday morning walking around the temple areas, the shops, and we had a sake and uzike tastings. Kasumi was very knowledgeable about Nagano, and showed us secret laneways and gave us tips for further sights to see, that we would never have done, without going on this tour. I highly recommend this tour - it really made Nagano come to life for us, and my daughters now have Nagano as their favourite city in Japan!
✨Best of both worlds! Tourist attraction w/ local access to special places🥟🍵🍡✨
Megan G,
Feb 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00I booked this tour at the last minute and ended up being the only one! Masa-san was lovely, gracious and kind with his time as I took pictures and explored. I highly recommend this tour if you are looking to add an element of unique/local flair to the tourist must-do. You'll see the Zenkoji temple and try the local delicacies, but with a friendly local who knows all the best places to tuck in for the perfect bite. Don't miss this one when you are in Nagano!
Highly recommended tour!
Samantha S,
Dec 13, 2024
- Viator
5.00Our guide Masa was very friendly and gave us great history about Nagano on our tour. The food and sake we got to try were yummy, traditional local foods. We would not have seen or learnt about the place without the tour. Another plus is Masa takes great photos of you so you can really enjoy yourself and have a great keepsake. Well worth doing!
Highly recommended
ShingWai Y,
Jun 30, 2024
- Viator
5.00Masa was a wonderful host and guide. As it was just the two of use it turned out to be a private tour. He speaks excellent English having lived many years in the UK and together with his knowledge of history and local culture really made the tour “alive”. Highly recommended.
Take this tour to get to know Nagano
Elizabeth B,
Jun 1, 2024
- Viator
5.00This tour was one of the highlights of our two weeks so far in Japan. I highly recommend taking this tour especially early on when visiting Nagano so you can learn where to spend the rest of your time. Masa showed us several great local places we wouldn’t have found otherwise and we had an incredible time talking with the local shopkeepers. Masa also took beautiful pictures of us through the tour which we treasure. Honestly one of the best tours we’ve been on.
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