1-day Luxury Watchmaking Experience Tour

Guided by certified master engineers in Nagano’s historic Suwa region, take home a watch you built yourself.

In Nagano’s Suwa region, once known as Japan’s ‘Switzerland of the East,’ traditional craftsmanship meets modern innovation. Home to Seiko Epson and master artisans, it became a renowned watchmaking hub. Participants will assemble their own mechanical wristwatch at the Gishodo Watch & Clock Museum with expert guidance and receive a certificate of achievement.

Tour Snapshot:

• Duration: 1 day (7:30 AM – 19:30 PM from Nagano / Matsumoto)
• Group size: Small (max. 4)
• Price: NOW ¥125,000
• Availability: Contact Us! We will arrange a day for you!

Tour Content:

• Build your own mechanical wristwatch with expert guidance
• Learn from certified engineers with Seiko/Grand Seiko backgrounds
• Explore Suwa, Japan’s “Watchmaking Capital”
• Take home your custom watch + achievement certificate

If these dates don’t align with your travel plans, please contact us! We may be able to arrange a flexible schedule in November.

Description

Timeline of the Day:

1. Meet at Nagano/Matsumoto Station
2. Guided visit at Konjakukan Oideya - Gishodo Museum
3. Hands-on watchmaking workshop (5 hrs)
4. Lunch at a local soba restaurant
5. Final assembly + take home your watch

Step into the world of Japanese precision craftsmanship with this full day guided tour in Shimosuwa. Home to Japan’s finest watchmakers and a rich legacy of mechanical engineering.

Your journey begins early at Nagano Station (7:30 A.M.) or Matsumoto Station (9:00 A.M.), where you’ll meet your guide and travel together to the peaceful town of Shimosuwa. Upon arrival at Konjakukan, a cultural facility deeply tied to Suwa’s artisan heritage, you’ll enjoy a brief guided tour of the on-site museum, offering context into the region’s historical role in Japan’s watchmaking evolution.

Next, you’ll be welcomed into the Gishodo workshop, where Suwa’s master engineers will guide you through an immersive 5-hour mechanical watchmaking experience.

After changing into your workwear, you’ll begin assembling your own timepiece using traditional tools and methods. No prior experience is required. The small group size ensures a close 1:2 instructor-to-guest ratio, allowing for plenty of personal guidance. These artisans will walk you through every intricate step, from gear alignment to dial placement, sharing expert techniques and stories along the way.

Below is Gishodo's official watch-making workshop video:

During lunch break, enjoy a pleasant stroll through Shimosuwa to a local restaurant, where you’ll savor regional dishes like handmade soba in a relaxed, traditional setting.

Returning to the workshop, you’ll complete the final stages of assembly, including calibration and testing. The process culminates with the moment your mechanical watch comes to life—an incredibly rewarding experience.

As a keepsake, you’ll take home the fully functioning watch you crafted by hand, along with a certificate of achievement recognizing your craftsmanship and effort. The day ends with return transfers to Matsumoto and Nagano, arriving by evening.

"This was a fun, unique experience. It was challenging at times, but the instructors were very helpful. I'm certain guests will also enjoy crafting their own watch."

-Joyce, a Snow Monkey Resorts tour guide.

"As a fan of hands-on experiences, being able to craft a watch from start to finish of such intricate design, and take it home on the same day as a functional timepiece truly impressed me. This experience should not be missed on your trip to Nagano."

- Kevin, a Snow Monkey Resorts tour guide.

Note:

This tour is part of a regional revitalization initiative in collaboration with the Shimosuwa local government. Designed to highlight the area's unique watchmaking heritage and cultural charm, the project aims to attract and welcome international tourists. By promoting authentic, hands-on experiences, we support local artisans and contribute to the sustainable economic growth of Shimosuwa, helping to position the region as a distinctive and appealing destination for travelers from around the world.

Supervised by Nationally Certified Engineers (技師)

Guests will learn directly from seasoned watchmakers certified by national qualifications. With many with decades of experience at prestigious brands like Grand Seiko. These experts blend traditional Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge techniques, offering rare one-on-one insight into the art of mechanical timekeeping.

With proper care, the watch you create can last a lifetime, potentially even 100 years. This experience also makes a meaningful gift for a child’s graduation or school entrance, or a memorable way to celebrate a special anniversary together.

Technical Specs:

• Case size: 45.5 mm (outer), 40.5 mm (width)
• Dial: Deep navy blue (GISHODO Original G2025)
• Bands: Includes leather strap + metal bracelet
• Movement: Mechanical - Assembled during the hands-on watchmaking session
• Availability: Exclusive to the Suwa Watchmaking Tour

Itinerary

07:20	Meet up at Nagano Station (For guests joining from Nagano)The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates.Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 07:20! Read MoreShow Less
08:50	Meet up at Matsumoto Station (For guests joining from Matsumoto)The meetup point is at the West Exit of the station, in front of the taxi stand.Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. We will be departing at 08:50. Read MoreShow Less
10:00	Arrive at Konjakukan Cultural Heritage Center, Shimosuwa Guided tour of the museum - Gain insight into Suwa’s proud watchmaking history and its role in Japan’s precision engineering legacy. Read MoreShow Less
10:30	First stage: Begin your hands-on watch-making experience Learn delicate mechanical techniques under the guidance of veteran artisans. Read MoreShow Less
12:30	Lunch at a nearby local restaurant Enjoy regional specialties such as handmade soba in a relaxed setting. Read MoreShow Less
13:30	2nd stage: Watch-making experience Continue assembling your custom mechanical watch Read MoreShow Less
15:00	15 minutes break Option to revisit the museum or stretch your legs. Read MoreShow Less
15:15	Last stage: calibration, testing, and personalization Complete your timepiece and receive your certificate of achievement. Read MoreShow Less
17:00	Experience concludes! Take home your handcrafted watch—crafted by you, guided by experts. Read MoreShow Less
17:50	Drop-off at Matsumoto Station - Read MoreShow Less
19:20	Drop-off at Nagano Station - Read MoreShow Less

Meetup Points

Nagano Station

(For guests joining from Nagano)

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates.

Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 07:20

Matsumoto Station

(For guests joining from Matsumoto)

The meetup point is at the West Exit of the station, in front of the taxi stand.

Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. We will depart by 08:50.

Notes

Included

• Round-trip transportation from Nagano or Matsumoto
• English-speaking guide
• Full watchmaking experience at Gishodo (5+ hours, all materials provided)
• Guided museum visit at Konjakukan
• Artisan instruction in a small group setting
• Local lunch (vegetarian options are available)
• Take-home custom mechanical watch
• Certificate of achievement

Not included

• Transport fees To/From your Pickup/Drop-off Locations
• Additional food, snacks & drinks

English Pamphlet pdf of Konjakukan Oideya

Suwa: Why a Mountain Lake Town Became Japan’s Watchmaking Hub

When most people think of Nagano, they picture snowcapped mountains, hot springs, or the scenic Lake Suwa. But this quiet alpine basin has another claim to fame: it is the birthplace of Japan’s modern watch industry and home to numerous Seiko Epson factories today. So why did Suwa, of all places, become such a center of manufacturing?

The answer lies in a mix of geography, climate, and history. Suwa sits at high altitude, with cold, dry winters and low humidity, conditions that are ideal for precision work. In an age before fully climate-controlled workshops, this stable environment helped protect delicate metals and tiny moving parts from rust or warping. Add to this the abundant supply of clean, mineral-balanced water from Lake Suwa and surrounding mountain streams. Such water was essential for the fine polishing, rinsing, and cooling processes used in clockmaking, where even microscopic impurities could damage a mechanism.

Suwa also had a long tradition of craftsmanship. Before watches, the region was known for silk-reeling and other fine handicrafts that required patience and precision. This culture of “monozukuri” (making things with skill and spirit) gave local workers a natural affinity for the meticulous work of assembling watch movements.

Finally, history played its role. During the Second World War, Seiko (then Daini Seikosha) relocated some of its operations to Suwa, safe from the bombing raids over Tokyo. After the war, those facilities remained, eventually merging into what became Suwa Seikosha, the predecessor of today’s Seiko Epson. The presence of these factories attracted more related industries, creating a powerful cluster effect that still defines the region.

The Modern Symbol: Grand Seiko SLGA021 “Lake Suwa”

Today, Suwa’s legacy lives on in models such as the Grand Seiko SLGA021 Spring Drive 5 Days “Lake Suwa.” The dial design is inspired by the deep, shifting surface of Lake Suwa, reflecting the natural beauty of the region in patterns that resemble rippling water.

The SLGA021 is more than a watch. It represents the heritage of Suwa, the skill of its artisans, and the spirit of innovation that continues to shape Japanese watchmaking today.

👉 For those who want to dive deeper, we’ve also written about the best watch and clock museums in Japan, as well as a guide to the top Japanese watch brands.

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Tour Availability Disclaimer

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.