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 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.
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
Options
Half-Day Zenkoji Tour with Tea Experience
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
great half day experience!
O6357PKjulianl,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For a half day experience, this tour exceeded my expectation. It was great working with Shawn and alissa and how flexible they were with me! I usually do my own research and experience things in my own without a tour guide, but I had little to no prep this time. They covered most of the major points of the shrine area leaving me satisfied! Would recommend !
Great tour to get to know the local culture
gabrielamI8156XI,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is very interesting to get to know the local culture better; Joyce is a great guide, very attentive and kind. I highly recommend.
Wonderful Taste of Nagano—Thanks Kevin!
georgialJ7414CD,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an amazing time today on this tour of Zenkoji Temple / “food tour” of Nagano. I ended up having a private tour with Kevin who was wonderful: so friendly, knowledgeable, down to earth and easy to be around. My highlights were the tea ceremony with Tetsu-san and Suki-san, as well as the sake tasting (plum sake was 🌟). Seeing the beautiful temples and learning about the history behind them was fascinating. I am so glad I booked this tour and I feel like I lucked out! I would absolutely recommend it. Thanks again, Kevin, for an amazing introduction to Nagano!
Must-do tour!
lauram01,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Kevin. He had a deep knowledge of Nagano's history and an entertaining way of conveying the stories. Without this tour, I would have walked around just superficially looking at things, with no understanding of their place in Japan's history. It was a really interesting day. The sake tasting, oyake tasting and tea ceremony were wonderful. I 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting Nagano.
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.
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