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Togakushi: A Serene Walk Through Sacred Forests & Soba Traditions
Product code 241068P5
From
From JPY 22,000
Dates
Jan 18, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026
Start times
8:45 AM
Travelers
Infant ages 0-2, Child ages 3-9, Adult ages 10-70
Options
Full-Day Togakushi Tour, Half-Day Highlights Tour (4h)
Availability, payment, cancellation, and vouchers are completed on Viator after you leave this page.
Duration
4 hours to 6 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Booking, payment, cancellation, and vouchers continue on Viator.
From
From JPY 22,000
Togakushi: A Serene Walk Through Sacred Forests & Soba Traditions
View all photos
Duration
4 hours to 6 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Why Travelers Love This
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.
Overview
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.
What's Included
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.
Not included
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.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)
End point
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)
Itinerary
Stop 1
5 minutes
Stop 1
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)
Stop 2
40 minutes
Stop 2
Get on the vehicle with you guide and heading to Togakushi.
Stop 3
20 minutes
Stop 3
Arrival at Kagamiike Pond. It is a spectacular spot of fresh greens and forest where the mountains of Togakushi are reflected on the surface of the water like Kagami (mirror in Japanese) ＊＊Please note: This spot is not accessible during the winter months due to snow, but its beauty in other seasons makes it a must-visit.＊＊
Stop 4
20 minutesAdmission included
Stop 4
We will visit hidden gem and view a beautiful red Shinto gates in line called Tenmei Inari Shrine. After this we will be heading to the entrance of Okusha area. ＊＊Please note: This spot is not accessible during the winter months due to snow, but its beauty in other seasons makes it a must-visit.＊＊
Stop 5
20 minutes
Stop 5
Arrival at Okusha area. You will see 400 years old massive cedar trees linking to the path to Oku Sha. This journey into the heart of the forest is about 2km long and through the red Zuishinmon Gate, past cedar trees, up to the Main Hall which sits spectacularly on the mountainside of Mt. Togakushi. ＊＊Please note: The Okusha shrine is not accessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
Stop 6
20 minutesAdmission included
Stop 6
Arrival at Okusha Shrine, where is the innermost of the five Togakushi shrines. The shrine enshrines the god of strength, who moved the rock so that Amaterasu could come out of hiding. Okusha Shrine is considered the most important of the five Togakushi shrines. After this, we will be go back to the entrance of Okusha area. ＊＊PLease note: The Okusha shrine is not accessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.
Stop 7
25 minutesAdmission included
Stop 7
Arrival at Kuzuryusha Shrine, which is The former enshrines a nine-headed dragon, which governs water. Farmers make prayers for rain here. In addition, it is also worshipped as a god of matchmaking. ＊＊Please note:The Kuzuryusha shrine is not accessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
Stop 8
30 minutesAdmission not included
Stop 8
Optional visit to the Togakure Ninpo Museum (admission not included).
Stop 9
1 hourAdmission included
Stop 9
Visit Chusha Shrine (Middle Shrine) Savor a delicious bowl of Togakushi soba noodles, one of Japan’s most famous soba dishes, at a local restaurant. Explore the central shrine of Togakushi, dedicated to Tajikarao-no-Mikoto, the god who brought light back to the world. Admire the cedar-lined approach and traditional architecture.
Stop 10
15 minutes
Stop 10
Visit Hokosha. The Lower Shrine, dedicated to Ame-no-Uwaharu, a deity associated with learning and agriculture. ＊＊PLease note:The Hokosha shrine may not accessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.
Pass by stop 11
Pass by stop 11
Zenkoji Temple Option: Visit this historic Buddhist site with a convenient pickup back to Nagano Station.
Stop 12
40 minutes
Stop 12
Get on the vehicle with you guide and heading back to Nagano station. Please note: The duration of this tour depends on the walking pace of the group, so please have extra time for your next schedule after this tour.
Additional Info
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
No Back Problems
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
No Pregnant
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No Heart Problems
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Physical Medium
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Other
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.
Other
In case of late arrival, the tour cannot be extended.
Other
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.
Other
No strollers
Other
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.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Experience may be cancelled for bad weather.
Experience may be cancelled if minimum traveler count is not met.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
Review Summary
5.0
7 reviews
Collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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