Nagano Zenkoji Temple and Sake Tasting Private Tour from Tokyo

Duration8h - 9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesChinese, English, French, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

This tour includes a visit to Zenkoji Temple, a historic temple that attracts worshippers from all over the world, as well as a visit to the temple to enjoy local sake and the optional local delicacy oyaki.
Since the Edo period (1603-1867), it has been said, “Even if you are far away, you must visit Zenkoji Temple at least once.” Many famous warlords and other famous warriors have visited the temple, and it continues to be a power spot for worshippers today.
Another attraction of this tour is that you can walk along the approach to the temple, which has a long history, and visit a sake brewery behind the approach to the temple.
You can also sign up for an optional experience to cook and eat “oyaki,” a local dish of Nagano Prefecture, in a traditional hearth.
Oyaki is made of wheat flour and buckwheat flour, with seasonal vegetables and sweet bean paste sandwiched inside the dough.
Those with wheat or buckwheat allergies are not eligible to apply, so please check in advance.

Options

Premium Goma Zazen Gran Class

Premium Goma Zazen Sake Oyaki: Join a private Goma ritual by a head priest,experience zazen,taste sake,and make oyaki.Oyaki may not be available on holidays
Gran Class: Round-trip reserved seats in Gran Class on the Shinkansen, offering the highest level of comfort, privacy,and premium service
Pickup included

Goma Zazen Sake Standard Class

Goma Zazen Sake and Oyaki: Join a Goma fire ritual, try zazen meditation, taste sake, and make traditional oyaki.Oyaki may not be available on holidays.
Bullet Train Standard Class : Enjoy a comfortable ride in Standard Class on the Shinkansen, with reserved seating and smooth high-speed travel.
Pickup included

Goma Zazen Sake Green Car

Goma Zazen Sake and Oyaki: Enjoy Goma, zazen, sake, and oyaki. Oyaki may not be available on holidays.
Green Car: Round-trip reserved seats in Bullet Train Green Car for comfortable and spacious travel.
Pickup included

Premium Goma Zazen Green Car

Premium Goma Zazen Taste Sake: Join a private Goma ritual by a head priest,experience zazen, taste sake, and make oyaki.Oyaki may be unavailable on holidays
Green Class: Round-trip reserved seats in Bullet Train Green Car for comfortable and spacious travel.
Pickup included

Goma Zazen Sake Gran Class

Goma Zazen Sake and Oyaki: Join a Goma fire ritual, try zazen meditation, taste sake, and make traditional oyaki.Oyaki may not be available on holidays.
Gran Class: Round-trip reserved seats in Gran Class on the Shinkansen, offering the highest level of comfort, privacy,and premium service
Pickup included

Premium Goma Zazen Sake

Premium Goma Zazen Sake Oyaki: Join a private Goma ritual by a head priest,experience zazen,taste sake,and make oyaki.Oyaki may not be available on holidays
Bullet Train Standard Class : Enjoy a comfortable ride in Standard Class on the Shinkansen, with reserved seating and smooth high-speed travel.
Pickup included

What's included

Making Oyaki Experience Fee(Option)
Hotel or Station Pickup
National Licensed Guide in English, Spanish, Mandarin
bullet train between Tokyo and Nagano, public transportation
Admission Fee(Zenkoji Temple)

apx. 15-25 USD per person
Personal Expenses

What to expect

2h · Admission ticket included

After picking you up from your hotel, we will board the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station.
*Depending on your hotel, the train may depart from Ueno Station.
Zenko-ji Temple
2h · Admission ticket included

Zenkoji Temple is a very venerable temple that has been in existence for about 1,400 years.
It is one of the most famous temples in Japan that attracts many worshippers from all over the world, especially since it has a history of widely accepting people as a nondenominational temple that does not belong to any particular sect.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), so many people visited the temple that it was said, “Once in a lifetime, you must visit Zenkoji Temple. It has long been believed that if one visits Zenkoji even just once, he or she is guaranteed to live a life of paradise.
Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori
1h

The site of Zenkoji Temple's Nyorai-do Hall, which was relocated due to a fire, is now the site of the Zenkoji Temple's Nyorai-do Hall.
The Nakamise Street of Zenkoji Temple has been bustling with activity since the medieval period, when street vendors and freak shows began to open on the site where Zenkoji's Nyorai-do Hall was relocated due to a fire.
Recently, the number of stalls selling not only souvenirs and Nagano Prefecture's famous oyaki and dango, but also pudding and ice cream, which are popular among children, has increased, making the area a fun place to stroll for men and women of all ages.
Please stop at any store that catches your attention and enjoy!
Nishimon Yoshinoya
1h

After visiting Zenkoji Temple, enjoy a sake brewery tour at a sake brewery built in the Meiji period. The factory tour hall offers a window into the sake brewing process, allowing visitors to learn about the steps involved in making sake.
1h · Admission ticket included

*This is an optional tour
You can experience making oyaki, a specialty of Nagano Prefecture, in a traditional hearth.
Oyaki is made by mixing wheat flour and buckwheat flour with water or hot water, kneading it into a thin, flaky crust, and baking it with seasonal ingredients such as red bean paste and vegetables.
Oyaki made in the traditional way has a very gentle flavor, and is a local dish that you should definitely try when you come to Japan.
2h · Admission ticket included

After arriving at Tokyo Station by Shinkansen, the tour will be disbanded at your hotel or a place of your choice.
*Depending on your hotel, you may be dropped off at Ueno Station.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

The guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby or the gate of the station with your name sign.
Please inform about your pick up details in advance.

Additional information

Specialized infant seats are available
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Those who are allergic to wheat or buckwheat cannot apply for the optional tour, so please check with us in advance. Please check with us in advance. We will guide you on the regular tour.
The itinerary might be changed due to weather condition or other reasons.

Cancellation policy

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