Togakushi: A Serene Walk Through Sacred Forests & Soba Traditions

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Discover the sacred forests and ancient shrines of Togakushi on this guided walking tour from Nagano. Follow hidden mountain paths lined with towering cedars, visit important Shinto sites like Chusha and Okusha, and hear the legends of Japanese mythology from your local English-speaking guide. Along the way, take in stunning alpine scenery and enjoy a traditional lunch of handmade Togakushi soba noodles, a regional specialty. Depending on the season and conditions, the route may also include quiet forest trails, scenic ponds, or optional cultural stops.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

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

Please do not eat or drink coffee inside the vehicle to keep it clean for everyone. Bottled water and small pets in carriers are okay.

In case of late arrival, the tour cannot be extended.

Please wear suitable cloths & shoes for walking. Togakushi sits at an altitude of around 1,100m above sea level. If it rains, it will be cold even in summer time.

No strollers

o8Experience is a locally based tour company offering private and small-group experiences across Nagano and surrounding regions. From food and culture to nature and history, we create meaningful journeys tailored to curious travelers. Visit o8Experience to discover more.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Zenkoji Temple Option: Visit this Buddhist site with a convenient pickup back to Nagano Station.

Transportation to / from all listed destinations

A delicious Togakushi soba noodle meal at a renowned local restaurant.

Optional Visit to Togakure Ninpo Museum (Ninja Museum). Note:It is closed during the winter season.

Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)

Transportation fee to meeting point is not included.

Ninja Museum Entrance Fee

There are no mandatory in-destination costs.

What To Expect

In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)

5 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Get on the vehicle with you guide and heading to Togakushi.

40 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Half-Day Highlights Tour (4h)

Half-Day Highlights Tour(4h): The highlights of Togakushi, including its famous cedar-lined trails, iconic gates, and a delicious soba noodle lunch.

Full-Day Togakushi Tour

Dive deep into the serene forests and shrines of Togakushi with this immersive hiking adventure with Soba lunch

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The sacred forest
Philip M,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Highly recommend this activity. We enjoyed it immensely even under extreme weather conditions, it rained heavily throughout so part of the trail to the shrine was slippy and quite a climb but all was OK. The trees and colours are just right atm so if it's a dry sunny day it would be spectacular. Masa, our guide was charming and helped make the day pleasant even in rain, he told us all the stories. He took us to a lovely authentic restaurant with great food, much better than expected as some tours that part of the day is disappointing. It's a windy drive but we went as a small group in a comfortable vehicle. Thankyou Masa for a great day!
Wonderful day tour in the woods
Sue M,
Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our guide Masa was very knowledgeable about the local area, and knew the best restaurant for an authentic soba experience, which was amazing! Although it was a little rainy in the morning, the tour was amazing. The shrines and the forest were very beautiful! Highly recommend you take this tour with Masa, if you can!
The tour was very nice...
NeleDirkS R,
Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour was very nice and the guide as well! I had a wonderful day and would totally recommend this :)
A walk amongst the ancient trees…
Coastal92057,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Stunningly beautiful location. The guide was fantastic, he has family connection to the area and can ground you in a sense of place and history. His knowledge about the shrines and Shintoism was wonderful. The lunch at a local restaurant was super tasty too. Highly recommend the walk and the guide. Only suggestion is if you go in early spring the walk can be quite icy, so shoes with good traction is a must.
Outstanding walking tour of Togakushi shrines and Kagami Iki Pond with local lunch
972dwightk,
Oct 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a wonderful, informative personal tour for only two of us. Masa, our guide, was outstanding, accommodated our pace, interests, and food. Masa suggested leaving earlier than scheduled to avoid crowds, which worked out well. Kagami Iki Pond was absolutely beautiful, with autumn leaves and mountains reflected on the water's surface. We visited four of the main shrines, plus an additional hidden one, and learned about Shinto and how to properly bow and clap at shrines. The hike to Okushi was the longest and the most challenging, but the path is well maintained and accessible for anyone in modest shape. Lunch was authentic soba at a restaurant over 100 years old. At the end of the tour, Masa dropped us off at the Zenko-ji Temple because we mentioned we wanted to try the Beni-Beni pie. Masa was born and raised in the Togakushi area and, therefore, very knowledgeable, providing a unique perspective. His English was very good as he completed graduate school and worked in London prior to moving back to Nagano. Masa also took many pictures of us at the different sites, that he sent to us the next day as part of the package. Overall, we highly recommend this tour company to anyone interested in sightseeing in the Nagano area.