1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninjas, and Hidden Shrines

The gigantic trees are over 400 year olds and considered sacred in their own right.

Your guide will introduce you to the principles of Shintoism, including the importance of nature worship, in an engaging and easy to understand manner.

Japan's fabled ninja were indeed real but remain cloaked in mystery.

Your guide will lead you through the distinctive Zuishimon Gate and into the grand cedars.

Togakushi has a notably cooler summer climate and is blessed with some of Japan's most beautiful autumn colours.

At the museum, your guide will introduce you to the history and legend of the Togakure school of ninjitsu before giving you time to explore for yourself.

A beautiful place, your guide will allow plenty of time for photographs before the tour returns to Nagano.

Duration8h 15m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 20 travelers

Overview

Escape to the Mountains: Ninja, Soba & Sacred Cedars

Step into the pristine forests of Togakushi, where Japan’s creation myths and ninja secrets come to life. This year-round adventure from Nagano blends hands-on tradition with ancient spirituality.

Tour Highlights:

Master the Soba Blade: Don’t just eat lunch—make it. Knead, roll, and hand-cut Togakushi’s world-famous buckwheat noodles from scratch alongside local experts.

The Path of the Ninja: Delve into the legacy of the Togakure clan. In warmer months, navigate the trapdoors of the Ninja Trick House. In winter, strap on traditional kanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to float over deep mountain powder.

The Giant Cedar Avenue: Pass through the red Zuishinmon Gate into a breathtaking cathedral of 400-year-old cedars. Depending on the season, hike to the hidden Okusha Shrine or enjoy an exclusive winter snowshoe trek among the snow-laden giants.

Perfect for Tokyo Day-Trippers! Easy access via Shinkansen.

What's included

Guided tour at all listed attractions
Entry ticket to the Togakushi Ninja Museum (Green Season)
Transportation fee from Nagano to Togakushi and between activities/attractions
Kanjiki traditional snowshoe rental (Winter Season)
English-speaking guide
including your own handmade noodles

Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket
Accommodation
Additional food, snacks & drinks

What to expect

Tonkururin
2h · Admission ticket included

Start your soba making journey from scratch with the help of your guide and the museum's expert soba artisans.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a handmade soba lunch inside of the museum's restaurant seating area!
Togakushi Shrine Chusha
30m

Depart for the Togakushi Ninja Museum, with a short stop at the Togakushi Chusha Shrine along the way.
Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum
2h · Admission ticket included

(Green Season ONLY) Once arrived at the ninja museum, your guide will accompany you to the ninja trick house to enjoy engaging and authentic puzzle-solving to escape the manor. Time permitting, you will have time to enjoy other aspects of the ninja museum during free time.
Togakushi Shrine Okusha
2h · Admission ticket included

Immerse yourself in the spiritual heart of Togakushi, where Shinto creation myths and towering nature converge. Your experience at this sacred site adapts to the season:

Green Season (Mid-April to Mid-Nov): Walk the ancient "Togakushi Kodo" pilgrimage trail. Pass through the striking red Zuishinmon Gate and hike a breathtaking avenue of 400-year-old giant cedars, culminating in a stone-step ascent to the secluded Okusha Shrine.

Winter Season (Mid-Nov to Mid-April): When heavy snows make the upper shrine inaccessible, the adventure transforms. Strap on traditional wakanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to confidently bypass winter barriers. Float over deep mountain powder to reach the Zuishinmon Gate and enjoy an exclusive, crowd-free snowshoe trek directly into the hushed, snow-laden cathedral of giant cedars.

(Note: During the winter season, the trek focuses on the spectacular cedar avenue, as the Okusha Shrine building itself is closed due to deep snow).

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station. Your guide will wait for you infront of the large Information Board and video montiors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The meetup time is 09:15.

End point

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station. Your guide will wait for you infront of the large Information Board and video montiors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The meetup time is 09:15.

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour has a minimum of 2 guests to operate
Physical Requirements: This tour involves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking along forest trails. In the Green Season, this includes a section of ascending stone steps. In the Winter Season, you will be trekking through deep snow.
This tour spends a considerable period of time outside. Weather conditions in Togakushi are often notably cooler than Nagano City, even in summer. Please also ensure you wear suitable clothing for the season and bring a waterproof jacket and/or umbrella as weather conditions can change quickly.
This tour includes a 'soba' (buckwheat) noodle lunch in Togakushi village. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at time of booking.
Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
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.
Footwear & Clothing: Please wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. For winter tours (Mid-Nov to Mid-April), waterproof snow boots and warm, waterproof clothing are strongly recommended for the snowshoeing segment. We also recommend checking the daily forecast and bringing an umbrella or raincoat if needed.
Due to the amount of walking, this tour is not suitable for guests who are mobility impaired

Cancellation policy

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

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