Top 10 Sake Tasting in Nagano

Destination: Nagano.
Enjoy a premium small-group tour—typically 6–8 guests—blending nature, culture, and great local food in one smooth day. Start at Nagano Station and head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Walk a quiet forest trail to see wild macaques relaxing in natural hot springs—one of Nagano’s most iconic sights. Next, visit Obuse for a local lunch and a historic brewery sake tasting. Explore the Hokusai Museum, then enjoy Obuse at your own pace—strolling charming lanes, browsing small shops, and sampling a few local treats as you soak up the town’s relaxed atmosphere. Your guide can also point out a few favorite photo spots. On 8:45 AM departures, there is also time for an optional visit to Zenkoji Temple—one of Nagano’s most important historic landmarks (not available on 9:35 AM departures). With beautiful scenery, authentic flavors, and a touch of art and history, this tour captures the best of Nagano—comfortably, efficiently, and in a genuinely personal small-group setting.
Known For: Nagano Small Group, Nagano Sake Brewery Tour, Nagano Nature Walks, Nagano Historical Tours, Nagano Best Conversion, Nagano Bus Tours, Nagano Full-day Tours, Nagano Top Product, Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano 4WD Tours, Nagano Day Trips, Nagano Excellent Quality, Nagano Walking Tours, Nagano New Product.

Destination: Nagano.
The class is held at the over 130 years old house. It was built in Machiya style and was used to be a house of Shoya, the biggest merchant in the city at that time. You can have a look around the unique inside. We will show you traditional life style such as Koto, a Japanese harp and an old sawing machine, which have been carefully stored for a long time in Kura, an old style storage in back of the house. The kitchen is made of Sake barrel lids came from a local brewery. It’s located on the second floor, you will see the beautiful Japanese garden. We provide aprons, so you don’t need to bring anything. We will give you a recipe that you can cook at your country. The class consists of some basics of Japanese cooking, such as how to make Dashi broth, and introduction of local made ingredients, which are not normally seen at regular supermarkets. We will explain for you to cook at home when you go back. Recipes are adjustable for vegetarians and vegans.
Known For: Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Lunch, Nagano New Product, Nagano Dining Experiences, Nagano Cooking Classes.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Discover the Art of Hokusai in Obuse: A Walking Tour with Sake & Local Flavors. Step into the world of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai on this walking tour in Obuse, just 30 minutes by train from Nagano City. Obuse offers a unique mix of history, art, and local culture. ・Explore Hokusai’s Legacy: Visit the Hokusai Museum and Kozan Takai Memorial Museum to discover the life and works of the artist behind The Great Wave. ・Temple Experience: See Hokusai’s ‘Phoenix Glaring in All Directions’ at Ganshoin Temple, a stunning ceiling painting of a phoenix that follows you. ・Sake Tasting & Local Delights: Enjoy sake tasting at a local brewery and a delicious lunch at a trendy restaurant, showcasing Obuse’s culinary scene. ・Experience Obuse's Charm: Wander through picturesque streets, meet local shopkeepers, and explore the town’s culture and history. This tour blends art, history, and local flavors for an unforgettable experience in one of Japan’s most charming towns.
Known For: Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Walking Tours, Nagano Day Trips, Nagano Half-day Tours, Nagano Bus Tours, Nagano Art Tours, Nagano Small Group, Nagano Historical Tours.

Destination: Nagano.
Are you a Sake beginner or an expert? This Sake brewery private tour brings you not only to the world of Sake but also exclusive cultural experiences. I will take you to Ichinoya Sake Brewery, established in 1865, which still produces high quality Sake with traditional methods. You will see the house’s brewing process mostly by human hands with limited mechanicals, which is designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2024. The tour includes; - Visiting Ichinoya Sake Brewery, discover how Sake is made - Sake and water tasting - Lunch with local ingredients over Ichinoya’s series of Sake at Wachigai restaurant, whose building is traditional Machiya style build in late Edo period, with great atmosphere - Shopping Sake and other local products - Pictures are taken throughout the tour and shared to the guests It starts at 11:00am and takes about 2~3 hours including lunch. Free after lunch. This tour can take at most 6 people. Tour is held only once a day.
Known For: Nagano Lunch, Nagano Dining Experiences, Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Spring Break, Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano New Product.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Guests will journey deep into the hidden region of Nagano known as Akiyamago, a remote mountain valley rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Here, they’ll soak in one of the wildest open-air hot springs in Nagano, where the healing waters bubble up directly from the riverbed — a rare and unforgettable experience. Important Note: The outdoor hot spring may be unavailable during bad weather if the river overflows. In that case, we’ll visit a local indoor onsen instead. The tour also includes a taste of tradition with a hearty bear meat hot pot lunch, called "Kumanabe", a local specialty passed down through generations. On the way back to Iiyama Station, we’ll stop by a local sake brewery, where guests can enjoy tasting some of Nagano’s finest rice wine. Akiyamago is usually closed off in winter due to extreme snowfall that even surpasses ski resorts, but we operate guided car tours to this remote area.
Known For: Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Extreme Sports, Nagano Full-day Tours, Nagano Adventure Tours, Nagano Day Trips, Nagano Sake Brewery Tour, Nagano Bus Tours, Nagano Small Group.
Duration: Around 7 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Discover Nagano’s favorite comfort food and the warming world of Sake! Learn all the different steps involved in producing Sake with the help of your guide. You will walk you through each step of the sake-making process and share stories about the rich history of brewing in Nagano. Then you can savor several varieties of sake produced by the brewery, gaining a new appreciation for the time and craftsmanship behind each one. Led throughout by your guide, it’s the perfect way to round out an immersive, informative, and warming tour. At a nearby traditional restaurant where oyaki are still prepared with care, you’ll taste this regional classic the way it’s meant to be eaten: warm, fragrant, and freshly made. Fillings often feature Nagano staples like nozawana greens, Please note the sake brewery is NOT an active brewery. This tour is designed as an educational and tasting experience, focused on the history of the brewery, the city, and the local food and drinks culture.
Known For: Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Street Food Tours , Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Walking Tours.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Enjoy a traditional Japanese cultural experience by relaxing in an onsen with a view of the Hakuba mountains. Afterward, head to a Japanese-style izakaya for a toast and enjoy a fun night out in Hakuba. ※Please note that the onsen and izakaya venues may change depending on the schedule and conditions on the day. Thank you for your understanding. ※Japanese onsen typically involve shared bathing in large, gender-separated public baths. While they are not private baths, we hope you’ll enjoy this unique aspect of Japanese culture. We will explain the bathing etiquette in advance, so please feel at ease.
Known For: Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Half-day Tours, Nagano 4WD Tours, Nagano Small Group.
Duration: Around 4 hours and a half.

Destination: Nagano.
Join our tour for a night out to feel like you are residents. Unlike Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, it will be very difficult to find where the locals go to eat and drink in Nagano. Your local expert guides will take you to the nice Izakaya and backstreet bars, such as Jazz bar, Whiskey bar in Nagano city, where you can chill out and drink to continue the evening. ・More than 5 dishes + Noodles(such as Soba) ・2 Drinks included in tour price ・Local expert, personable English-speaking guides ・Hidden bar and introductions. Please let us know if you have any food restrictions beforehand.
Known For: Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Nightlife, Nagano Walking Tours, Nagano Half-day Tours, Nagano Excellent Quality.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a morning visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys, followed by a warming winter lunch and afternoon exploration of Zenko-ji - one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. Led by a locally-based English-speaking guide and including a sake tasting experience to bring the tour to an indulgent conclusion this tour is a great way to enjoy the best of Nagano in winter!
Known For: Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Bus Tours, Nagano Top Product, Nagano Nature and Wildlife Tours, Nagano Historical Tours, Nagano Excellent Quality, Nagano Sake Brewery Tour, Nagano Day Trips, Nagano Full-day Tours.

Destination: Nagano.
Discover the Soul of Nagano through Zenkoji Temple’s History, Local Culture, and Delicious Cuisine Duration: 3 hours Location: Nagano City, Zenkoji Temple & Surrounding Areas Type: Walking Tour ✨　Tour Highlights　✨ 1️⃣ Zenkoji Temple Exploration ️ Step into one of Japan’s most historic and spiritual sites! Discover the ancient beauty of Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples. Marvel at the intricate wooden architecture and learn about its significance in Japanese Buddhism. 2️⃣ Hidden Stories & Local Legends Walk through the temple grounds and nearby streets as your guide shares fascinating stories and local lore. 3️⃣ Delicious Food Tastings Oyaki Dumplings Traditional Japanese Sweets Sake Tasting 4️⃣ Explore Nakamise Street ️ 5️⃣ Interactive Cultural Experiences Try your hand at traditional activities, like fortune-telling, and learn about Japanese customs. Book Your Tour Today!
Known For: Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Sake Tasting, Nagano Excellent Quality, Nagano Brunch, Nagano Walking Tours, Nagano Dining Experiences, Nagano Breakfast, Nagano Lunch.
Duration: Around 3 hours.