Private Winter Togakushi Tour: Snow, Shrine & Cedar Trees

Nestled in the snowy mountains just outside Nagano City, Togakushi is a place where ancient myths, serene nature, and winter adventure come together. This private winter tour brings you to the slopes of Togakushi Ski Resort for family-friendly snow fun or optional skiing (not included in tour price), followed by a peaceful cultural journey into the sacred forest shrines of Togakushi. With pickup available from major winter destinations including Hakuba, Nozawa, Shiga Kogen, Myoko, and more, this flexible tour is perfect for those seeking both snowy excitement and spiritual depth.

Highlights

• Enjoy simple snow fun activities (included) or beginner-friendly skiing (at own expense) at Togakushi Ski Resort, a quiet and scenic resort ideal for families and experienced skiers.
• Walk through the towering trees of the giant cedar-lined avenue that Togakushi is famous for on one of Japan’s most spiritual trails.
• Visit the Togakushi Chuusha (Middle Shrine) and learn about the creation myths tied to this sacred mountain.
• Flexible private pickup and drop-off available from Nagano, Hakuba, Nozawa, Shiga Kogen, Myoko, or Madarao Kogen.
• Featuring guiding in either English or Chinese, this tour allows more cultures to explore the amazing area that is Togakushi!

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

Description

This tour has multiple start times depending on your starting area that you choose upon booking. At the designated meeting time, your guide will meet you and lead you into the snowy highlands of Togakushi by private vehicle. Meet your guide and depart in your private vehicle to the peaceful alpine setting of Togakushi, known for its winter charm and spiritual legacy, as well as it's ski resort with a beautiful view of the Japanese Alps and Mt. Togakushi.

Once you reach the Togakushi Ski Resort, your guide will show your group the various facilities and restaurants, and those families looking to enjoy simple snow fun activities can begin their day in the snow play area (included in tour price), including sledding and tubing, or even just simple snow fun like making snowmen and having snowball fights (great for families with young children)!

For those looking to ski or snowboard, your guide can help you navigate to the facilities for purchasing lift passes and rental gear (optional; not included in tour price). If you are coming from another ski resort for a day ski, we can keep your already rented equipment in our private vehicle for use once your reach the resort! Please note that handling of the rental gear and purchase of the lift pass is at your own expense and not included in the tour, but the guide can assist you in the process of getting started in Togakushi.

While on the ski resort, you will have time to have lunch at your own expense in one of the restaurants present on the slopes. Note that the group will leave the ski resort area at 13:30 to explore the rest of the Togakushi area, so please be sure to have lunch before that time. Those looking to spend the entire day skiing and do not wish to explore the Togakushi area can continue skiing until the tour's conclusion, and the guide can return with the rest of party to pick you up after the other events of the tour have concluded.

Once departed from the ski resort, you can begin your cultural exploration at Togakushi Chusha, one of five major shrines in the Togakushi complex. Your guide will share the ancient Shinto legends, including the local myth surrounding the local gods of Togakushi and legend of the “hidden door” that gives Togakushi its name. You will also have some free time in this area to take pictures and potentially purchase local charms from the shrine monks.

After concluding at the Chusha, the tour will head deeper into the forest, and will drop you off on the iconic pilgrimage trail lined by massive cedar trees — around a 20-minute walk to reach them, and in the non-winter months leads all the way up the far back Okusha Shrine. Although we cannot visit this particular shrine during this time of year, the towering cedars with snowy conditions are a famous photo spot that allow for great appreciation for these wonderful Shinto objects.

We will then wind our way back down the mountain to pick up those who decided to remain for skiing, and then depending on the intended drop off point, you can expect to be back at your accommodation according to the listed itinerary.

Notes

Included

• Private vehicle with driver
• Entrance to the Family Snow Fun area at the Togakushi Ski Resort
• English or Chinese speaking guide at locations and assistance at the ski resort (please request upon booking)

Excluded

• Lunch
• Togakushi Ski Resort Lift Passes (purchasable at the ski resort at guest's own expense)
• Ski/Snowboard Equipment for the Togakushi Ski Resort (rentable at the ski resort at guest's own expense)
• Additional food, snacks & drinks
• Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
• Accommodation

Other Information

• Please note that skiing is a high-risk activity that have inherent risks and dangers that may result in physical injury, property damage, or even death. By choosing to participate in the optional skiing or snowboarding, individuals acknowledge and accept these risks, and agree to assume full responsibility for their safety and well-being throughout the duration of the tour.
• Please note that all timings in the tour are subject to change, as the distance between destinations varies by which ski resort is chosen for that day. We will do our best to conform to the posted schedule, but depending on the circumstances, some times may need to be changed.
• Please note that this tour involves a lot of physical activity and may not be suitable for all people depending on their condition. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• 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.
• This tour does not include lunch, but there will be time at the Togakushi Ski Resort for your party to enjoy their restaurants at a time of your choosing by recommendation of the guide.
• The terrain for this tour can be quite snowy, so please be conscious of your footwear when joining the tour, as the walk to the cedars could be dangerous if not properly prepared.