Half-Day Zenkoji Tour with Tea Experience
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the spiritual side of Nagano on a guided tour of Zenkoji Temple. Enjoy a tasting of sake at a local brewery, savor the flavors of 'oyaki' dumplings, and take part in a tea experience.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Tea experience including matcha and traditional sweets
Simple lunch of two oyaki
‘Sake’ tasting
Guided tour of Zenkoji and ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony
English-speaking guide
Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to/from Nagano City
Additional food, snacks & drinks
What To Expect
‘Oyaki’ dumplings are made from fermented buckwheat dough and rice powder, filled with all manner of vegetables, fruit, or ‘anko’ bean paste. Simple, healthy, and tasty. Followed by a Sake tasting experience at Imanishiki Sake Brewery.
Zenko-ji Temple
Only a short walk away from the brewery, begin your guided tour of Zenkoji Temple. Your guide will reveal its storied history and secrets, while also explaining the role of Buddhism in Japan in an enjoyable and engaging way as you head toward the site of the ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony.
Options
Half-Day Zenkoji Tour with Tea Experience
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fascinating tour of temple and Nagona with an exceptional guide
foodie131979,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exceptional tour of Nagano with Devin (half day tour with tea ceremony and Zenkoji experience). From start to finish we were provided with lots of information from a personable tour guide. The tour itself was packed. We tried a local speciality, oyaki (savoury stuffed dumplings) which we watched made. Then it was off to a lovely temple where we experienced its fire ceremony (fascinating) and had a Japanese sake tasting which was a nice introduction to the whole drink. Finally we had a traditional tea ceremony from a lovely host who provided lots of history. Would highly recommend this tour and the company with Devin being an exceptional guide.
Great afternoon in Nagano
687amandaw,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a good mix of activities in a relatively short time. Especially loved the “tea ceremony” - learning to make matcha with a lovely local couple. It was intimate and a modern take on the traditional experience. Shawn was a personable and knowledgeable guide and kept everything running smoothly even while navigating some late arrivals and arranging to meet them part way through the tour. Thanks for a lovely afternoon!
An exciting afternoon
stefanieschwankner,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very friendly interesting tour. The tea ceremony was very interesting. The fire ceremony was a unique experience.
The tour was one of our highlights in Nagano
nathaliegalistan,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joyce was so lovely and accommodating throughout the tour. The itinerary is perfect and the pace was really good especially as we had elderly with us. It was one of my highlights for my latest trip to Japan.
Fantastic way to explore Nagano
K83GCclairer,
Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely fantastic half day tour with Nadine. We learnt so much from Nadine, who was able to tailor the content and local recommendations to us. The tea ceremony was a highlight but we honestly loved all the tour activities and learnt so much about the history of the temple while also tasting local delicacies. The tour was a walking tour, which allowed us to see Nagano on foot but may not be suited to people with mobility issues. Thanks again Nadine!
It was a nice...
Dana G,
Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a nice introduction to Nagano. I enjoyed all the stops and was just the right amount of time for each. If you don't like to walk, I don't recommend.
Best tour of our 18 day Japan trip!
barborao492,
Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time at the Zenko-ji full day tea ceremony tour with Joyce! She was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive and made our experience super unique. The day started with a walk through town where we talked a bit about the history of Matsumoto before stopping at a couple local shops. We had tasty oyaki at a place we would NOT have found on our own; tried new local sake with Joyce expertly answering our questions on the production process; learned about the Zenko-ji temple's history and got some tips on how to enjoy it more fully; and then finally ended the day with a beautifully intimate tea ceremony with a absolutely adorable husband and wife couple. Joyce served as interpreter, local expert, and just a fun all-around companion for the day. Would highly recommend this tour and the Snow Monkey company as they clearly go above and beyond in planning tours that are sure to be unique and memorable. We had a group tour but we were the only ones booked for that rainy Wednesday so that definitely helped make the experience more personalized but I think even with a small group, it would have been a great and unique experience. Totally worth the money and time!
Tea and temple tour
Q9593XEanng,
Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a fun tour!! Joyce, our guide, was so knowledgeable and thoughtful with terrific language skills. The highlight was the tea ceremony. We all got to make a cup of matcha while learning the process. The couple who taught the ceremony were awesome! Also loved the fire-making ceremony at the temple. The whole experience was a great way to tap into the rich culture of Japan.
Do it! It's a wonderful tour 😁
186aliciar,
Jan 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is amazing! Joyce is a great guide (and tour designer) 😁 She had so much information to share historically and locally. The tour itself includes quite a few stops and different activities, and they are all beautifully timed so nothing feels rushed. The places themselves were gorgeous, the buddhist ceremony was a unique experience, and the tea ceremony was even better than we expected because they taught us the basics and answered all our questions with great enthusiasm. Yuki-san and her husband are wonderful hosts and we are planning on going back to their restaurant (Tsumugi) in a few days. Thank you, Joyce! Thanks, Nagano!
A spectacular day with a fantastic guide.
benpL2087WF,
Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic day with Dai, he was friendly, easy to chat with and extremely knowledgeable on the temples, Nagano, Buddhism, sake and much more about Japan that we chatted about. The temple was beautiful, and being toured around it gave each statue and point of interest context. Our dumplings were delicious (I highly recommend picking up the apple ones) and the sake taster absolutely eye opening. The highlight though was the fire ceremony, for which our names were supplied and the entire ceremony felt both magical and spectacular. I most highly recommend doing this tour, you won't regret it!
From ¥18,600
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Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)