Togakushi Shrine: Nature, History, Spirituality

Explore hidden hiking trails and ancient shrines at Togakushi. Discover spiritual cedars, Shinto statues, and savor top-ranked Togakushi soba.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Beck’s Coffee Shop - Located in front of Beck’s Coffee at Nagano Station, just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates.
  • Nagano Station - Board the vehicle with the guide and proceed to Togakushi.
  • Kagami-ike Pond - Arrive at Kagamiike Pond, a stunning location where the fresh greenery and forest reflect the Togakushi mountains on the water’s…
What's Included
  • Lunch
  • Transportation to/from all listed destinations
  • High quality photographs taken throughout the experience to be shared with you after the tour
  • English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
  • Meal for infant
  • Transportation fee to meeting point is not included.
  • Ninja Museum Entrance Fee
Additional Information

Explore the sacred woodlands and historic shrines of Togakushi on a guided walking tour departing from Nagano. Traverse secluded mountain trails bordered by majestic cedars, visit significant Shinto locations such as Chusha and Okusha, and listen to captivating tales of Japanese mythology shared by your local English-speaking guide. Throughout the…

Location
Beck's Coffee Shop
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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1 star
Sue_m
Jun 1, 2025
Wonderful day tour in the woods - Our guide Masa was very knowledgeable about the local area, and knew the best restaurant for an authentic soba experience, which was amazing! Although it was a little rainy in the morning, the tour was amazing. The shrines and the forest were very beautiful! Highly recommend you take this tour with Masa, if you can!
Review provided by Viator
Neledirks_r
Apr 17, 2025
The tour was very nice... - The tour was very nice and the guide as well! I had a wonderful day and would totally recommend this :)
Review provided by Viator
Coastal92057
Mar 30, 2025
A walk amongst the ancient trees… - Stunningly beautiful location. The guide was fantastic, he has family connection to the area and can ground you in a sense of place and history. His knowledge about the shrines and Shintoism was wonderful. The lunch at a local restaurant was super tasty too. Highly recommend the walk and the guide. Only suggestion is if you go in early spring the walk can be quite icy, so shoes with good traction is a must.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
972dwightk
Oct 23, 2024
Outstanding walking tour of Togakushi shrines and Kagami Iki Pond with local lunch - It was a wonderful, informative personal tour for only two of us. Masa, our guide, was outstanding, accommodated our pace, interests, and food. Masa suggested leaving earlier than scheduled to avoid crowds, which worked out well. Kagami Iki Pond was absolutely beautiful, with autumn leaves and mountains reflected on the water's surface. We visited four of the main shrines, plus an additional hidden one, and learned about Shinto and how to properly bow and clap at shrines. The hike to Okushi was the longest and the most challenging, but the path is well maintained and accessible for anyone in modest shape. Lunch was authentic soba at a restaurant over 100 years old. At the end of the tour, Masa dropped us off at the Zenko-ji Temple because we mentioned we wanted to try the Beni-Beni pie. Masa was born and raised in the Togakushi area and, therefore, very knowledgeable, providing a unique perspective. His English was very good as he completed graduate school and worked in London prior to moving back to Nagano. Masa also took many pictures of us at the different sites, that he sent to us the next day as part of the package. Overall, we highly recommend this tour company to anyone interested in sightseeing in the Nagano area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $152
up to 12 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).