The 15 Best Sake Tours in Nagano

1.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with an English-speaking guide. Visit Zenko-ji Temple, sample local sake at Nishimon Yoshinoya, enjoy a Japanese lunch, then walk the forest trail to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Endo, Kieran, Nadine, and Dylan have helped make this a smooth, informative day.

“It was amazing. Our tour guide was A+!! That experience was unmatched. Lunch was delicious. Seeing the monkeys has always been a dream of mine and this exceeded my expectations.”

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2.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Travel from Nagano or winter-season Hakuba to Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, a generous Japanese lunch, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. English-speaking guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom, Hiroshi, and Kevin lead the day, with time for both guided stories and independent exploring. Expect 8 to 12 hours, a 1.6-kilometer forest walk, and slippery winter paths.

“Jens was an excellent guide and clearly passionate about sharing the local history. The tour of the temple was interesting and there was a lot of great information shared during the sake tasting and how it’s made. The lunch was really good and the perfect fuel before trekking up the snowy/icy path to the snow monkeys. We loved seeing them so much! This day tour was a great mix of guided talk and conversation and free time to explore at our own pace. Jens really made the experience for us, he was a great host.”

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3.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Start at Nagano Station or arrange pickup from a central Nagano hotel, then visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, and Obuse by public transport or private vehicle. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Fumiko, can adjust the pace, suggest lunch, and help shape the day around monkeys, temples, sake, onsen, or Hokusai.

“Our tour guide, Emi was absolutely wonderful! So kind and full of knowledge. The visit to see the snow monkeys was an unforgettable experience-felt like you were in a National Geographic magazine! I highly recommend booking this activity.”

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4.Snow Monkey, Zenko Ji Temple, Sake in Nagano Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews

You’ll travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Monzen Terrace Enya, and Obuse. The group price is $631.28 for up to six people. Drivers such as Bhatti have been praised for flexibility and helpful travel tips, but guide knowledge and sake tasting can vary, so confirm what is included before booking.

“The snow monkeys are worth to see. We went in the winter make sure you have good shoes to walk in the snow it can be slippery also make sure you get some delicious apple pie in the bottom of The park. The temples are incredible. The whole experience is worth it.”

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5.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques soak in a hot spring. After lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, explore Zenko-ji Temple with an English-speaking guide, then finish with a sake tasting at Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Brewery. Expect snow, ice, walking, and a full day out.

“We had a great day out with Yama! We loved that there were only two large groups. The monkeys were great fun to watch and the walk through snow laden pines to see them was lovely! Lunch was a welcome surprise and we really enjoRead more”

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6.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $64

Walk from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple with a local English-speaking guide such as Masa, Kazumi, or Masashi. Taste more than five local sakes, three amazake drinks, plum wine, miso soup, and small snacks before visiting a former sake factory. The two-hour route suits curious food lovers who want culture, conversation, and a gentle introduction to Nagano.

“Our guide was super knowledgeable about all things temple and sake related. He took fun photos for us. It was clear he kept good relationships with the vendors he took us to, which made us feel special and welcomed. We learned so much! Read more”

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7.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $162

Join a small group of usually 6 to 8 people with local guides such as Masa or Kei. Walk the forest path to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, eat a local lunch, taste two sakes at Masuichi Ichimura Brewery, and explore Obuse. The early departure can include Zenkoji Temple.

“Our guide was friendly, spoke great English, and answered all of our (often dumb) questions! Highly recommend this tour operator. We had plenty of time with the Snow Monkeys, went to a very high quality restaurant for a v tasty lunch, the saRead more”

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8.Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $63Best value

Spend two hours tasting more than five Nagano sakes, three amazake drinks, plum wine, miso soup, soy sauce beans, and pickles. Your English-speaking guide leads you from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple, a 300-year-old brewery, and a preserved 120-year-old sake factory. Guides such as Masa and Marcel also share local food tips and take casual photos.

“Masa was a great guide, showed us more than we expected around Nagano including his favourite eating spots and local delicacies.”

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9.Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Travel from Nozawa Onsen to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, a local lunch, Zenko-ji Temple, and a sake tasting. An English-speaking guide such as Endo, Kieron, Lin, or Yama may lead your day. Expect snowy walking, long coach rides, and a full taste of Nagano.

“Kieron was a fantastic tour guide. Great communication, a wealth of knowledge and overall nice fellow. Our bus was clean and our driver provided a smooth ride. No complaints.”

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10.Explore Matsumoto: Castle, Sake & Taste of Local Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $112

Meet your English-speaking guide, including guide Masa, at Matsumoto Station for a three-hour walk covering Matsumoto Castle, a historic sake brewery, Nawate Street, and Nakamachi. Castle admission, sake tasting, local snacks, and tour photos are included. Expect stairs, walking, and possible castle entry delays.

“Osaka Castle was well worth visiting and it was a cool experience to go into a local sake brewing shop and be served by the owner. You would never find it on your own. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly but could have initially communicated better that he wanted to hurry to the Castle and would then give us some information.”

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11.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $160

Meet your English-speaking guide at Nagano Station for a seven-hour outing to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Obuse. Watch macaques bathe in hot springs, enjoy a local lunch, taste two premium sakes, browse chestnut shops, and visit the Hokusai Museum. Groups usually number 6 to 8, with a maximum of 12.

“Unser Guide sprach super Englisch und konnte alle Fragen beantworten. Unser Guide hielt die ganze Zeit Ausschau nach den Affen für uns & das Mittagessen war auch super 👍🏻”

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12.Togakushi Shrine, Sake & Zenkoji Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $190

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide, including Dai-san, visiting Togakushi’s mountain shrines, eating handmade soba, tasting sake at a local brewery, and exploring Zenkoji’s underground passage. A private car makes the scattered sights easier to reach, while gifted photos preserve the day.

“Dai~san was excellent and very kind! He spent a lot of time taking professional photos for us and took us to a good local soba spot. Highly recommend!”

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13.Heritage Town, Cuisine, Sake & Art: Explore Hokusai in Obuse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $176

Travel from Nagano to Obuse with a guide such as Masa, then explore Hokusai’s museums, a historic merchant’s home, Ganshoin Temple, local sake, and a set lunch. This small-group tour combines art and everyday town life, with private transport, admission fees, and photos included.

“Masa met us at the train stop (only 30 min from Nagano) and was a fantastic guide. He knows the nooks and crannies of Obuse, and showed us through the local private garden ways that residents have opened to the public. Throughout the tRead more”

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14.Snow Monkeys Sake Tasting Zenko-ji and Monzen Terrace Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $543

Spend eight hours with a private driver exploring Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park, Obuse sake country, and Zenko-ji Temple. You’ll walk forest paths to the macaques, sample local sake, and eat at Monzen Terrace Enya near the temple. Transport, parking, bottled water, and lunch with soft drinks are included.

“Went on this trip for my birthday, easily one of the best and most memorable things I have done. Our driver was so very friendly and answered any questions. He even went above and beyond at the restaurant letting them know it was my birthday and the brought out soRead more”

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15.Nagano Private Tour: Ninja Temple, Soba Making & Sake Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $981

Meet your bilingual guide at Nagano Station for a private day in Togakushi. Walk beneath 400-year-old cedars to Okusha Shrine, make and eat soba with a master, then taste sake at a historic local brewery. The tour is offered in English, Japanese, or Spanish, with a private vehicle and a second local guide.

“Walking through the ancient cedar forest to Togakushi Shrine felt like stepping into another world. The soba-making experience was hands-on and delicious, and ending the day with sake tasting was perfect!”

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