Half-Day Zenkoji Tour with Tea Experience

Designed to provide guests with an intimate yet entertaining understanding of Nagano’s near-1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple, this half-day group tour combines a temple tour with a unique fire ceremony as well as a tea experience, sampling of local dumplings, and even 'sake' tasting.

Highlights

• Learn the mysterious yet captivating story about why Zenkoji Temple is one of my most important temples in Japan via a guided walking tour and even a ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony.
• Combining tradition with modern style, you will get to make your own matcha while discovering the art and performance of this authentic Japanese experience.
• Indulge in Nagano’s traditional food culture including its famous ‘oyaki’ dumplings and award-winning ‘sake.’
• All guided by a locally-based, English-speaking guide.

Want to join this tour from Tokyo? It’s easy to do! Scroll to the bottom for our FAQs including train services that you can use to join the tour!

Review

Description

The tour begins at Nagano Station at 12:15, where your guide will greet you and begin your pilgrimage walk along the ‘Omotesando’ – the historic main road of Nagano – toward your ultimate goal of Zenkoji Temple. The first stop is Ogawa-no-sho, one of Nagano's premier ‘oyaki’ shops.

‘Oyaki’ dumplings are made from fermented buckwheat dough and rice powder, filled various vegetables, fruit, or ‘anko’ bean paste. Simple, healthy, and tasty, they are baked on an iron pan over a raised fire, an experience you’ll enjoy for yourself as they are baked for you before enjoying them as a simple lunch. From there you head to nearby Imanishiki Sake Brewery, for a memorable ‘sake’ tasting experience. Find out why Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading sake brewing areas, while tasting of some of the region’s best ‘sake.’

Only a short walk away from sake tasting, 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. After writing your prayer or wish on a wooden stick, the monks will begin their chants and ultimately burn your sticks, with the smoke reaching toward heaven to make your wish a reality. Whether you are a practicing Buddhist or seeking a memorable and meaningful experience while in Japan, ‘goma’ prayer will leave a deep and lasting impression on you.

When the fire ceremony concludes your guide will take you to the main temple - the third largest of its kind in Japan. You will then get some free time to explore the area or browse the many shops, tempting you with their local snacks and drinks. Lastly, head to nearby Tsumugi for the tea experience, a short walk away from the temple. Combining tradition with modern style, you will get to make your own matcha while discovering the art and performance of this authentic Japanese experience.

Your tour concludes, where your guide will say their goodbyes, leaving you to enjoy more time around the temple or walk back to Nagano Station or your accommodation.

Meetup Points

NAGANO STATION @ 12:15

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 12:20.

Notes

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.

Included

• English-speaking guide
• Guided tour of Zenkoji and 'goma' prayer fire ceremony
• Simple snack of two oyaki 
• ‘Sake’ tasting
• Tea experience

Excluded

• Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to/from Nagano City
• Additional food, snacks & drinks
• Entry to other paid attractions at Zenkoji (Kaidan Meguri, Sanmon, etc.)

Other Information

• This is a group walking tour and there may be other guests joining the tour. It involves a reasonable amount of walking and is suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness. Should you be booking in the summer months of July to September, please be aware that the weather is likely to be hot – between 30°C/86°F to 40°C/104°F – with high humidity. Given the nature of the tour, much of your time will be spent walking so please come prepared for those conditions. Your guide will, of course, respond to the conditions and endeavor to keep things as cool as possible by extending your time indoors and in the shade. For guests booking in the winter months of December to March, the weather is likely to be cold - between 0°C/32°F to 10°C/50°F and as low as -10°C/14°F at night - with likelihood of snow, so please plan accordingly.
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travelers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• As this is a walking tour, it is advised that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. Unneeded luggage can also be stored inside lockers located nearby the meetup point in Nagano Station.
• Included in the tour price, you will be offered two ‘oyaki’ at Ogawa-no-Sho, ‘sake’ tasting, and a tea experience. There is no obligation or expectation that you make additional purchases at any of these venues, but should you wish to, you are welcome to.
• Any purchases made at recommended venues / venues not listed by name in the tour description are not included in the tour price and must be paid for by the guest.