Zenkoji Temple Food & Culture Walk: Savor Oyaki, Nagano Sake & Matcha in Quaint Streets

Experience the rich food and culture of Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. Taste Oyaki, Nagano Sake, and Matcha while exploring the historic streets and connecting with locals.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Zenkoji Omotesando - Meet Up At: in front of Starbucks at Nagano station. We will explore the greater part of Zenkoji temple town, an old and residential area. We will visit 2 - 3 local shops to try authentic Japanese bites and sweets.

    Stop At: Oyaki House
    Taste Nagano’s special product “Oyaki,” which are Japanese stuffed dumplings from a local…
What's Included
  • 2 Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)
  • High quality photographs taken throughout the experience to be shared with you after the tour
  • Sake Tasting
  • Matcha Tea & Sweets
What's Not Included
  • Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
  • Meal for infant
  • Transportation fee to meeting point
Meal Options
  • Matcha tea & sweets
  • Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)
Additional Information

Explore the Essence of Nagano with Zenkoji Temple’s Rich History, Vibrant Culture, and Exquisite Cuisine
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Nagano City, Zenkoji Temple & Nearby Areas
Type: Walking Tour
Tour Highlights
1️⃣ Zenkoji Temple Exploration
Visit one of Japan’s most historic and spiritual landmarks!
Uncover the timeless…

Location
Starbucks Coffee - MIDORI Nagano
The guide will meet you infront of Starbucks at Nagano station.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(52 Ratings)
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Karen_a
Apr 22, 2025
Wonderful tour to get to know Nagano quickly! - We had a wonderful walking tour with Kasumi and her protege, Tak. We spent a quiet Monday morning walking around the temple areas, the shops, and we had a sake and uzike tastings. Kasumi was very knowledgeable about Nagano, and showed us secret laneways and gave us tips for further sights to see, that we would never have done, without going on this tour. I highly recommend this tour - it really made Nagano come to life for us, and my daughters now have Nagano as their favourite city in Japan!
Review provided by Viator
Paulv1536
Mar 15, 2025
A great walk - and talk! - around Nagano city - Right off the bat I knew this was gonna be good. Masa is not only very knowledgable but also a very warm and welcoming human being (with a good sense of humour) and for me, it's very important to have a good connection. Especially since this was essentially a solo tour. The time flew by like it was nothing. I highly recommend this tour if you plan in exploring Zenkoji temple. Also, you really need to taste oyaki dumplings, they are renown in the region and rightly so. If I ever go back to Nagano (and I will), I will go on one if Masa's tours again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megan_g
Feb 18, 2025
✨Best of both worlds! Tourist attraction w/ local access to special places🥟🍵🍡✨ - I booked this tour at the last minute and ended up being the only one! Masa-san was lovely, gracious and kind with his time as I took pictures and explored. I highly recommend this tour if you are looking to add an element of unique/local flair to the tourist must-do. You'll see the Zenkoji temple and try the local delicacies, but with a friendly local who knows all the best places to tuck in for the perfect bite. Don't miss this one when you are in Nagano!
Review provided by Viator
Sightsee20194685383
Feb 2, 2025
Enjoyable insight of Nagano - We had Masa as our guide and he was excellent. He provided a lot of interesting and useful information on Nagano and Japan especially on its food and culture. The Oyaki dumplings and the dorayaki were delicious. The sake tasting was enjoyable. Our visit to Zenkoji temple was really interesting. Masa also sent us some memorable photos which we greatly appreciate.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D7065ccchrism
Dec 30, 2024
A fun cultural tour through Nagano - Masa was a fantastic guide. Very friendly and knowledgeable. We had an amazing day and cultural experience through the streets of Nagano. Thank you
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Travel34275455574
Dec 20, 2024
Beautiful - Overwhelmed with Culture and information was amazing. Thank you for giving us advice and had a wonderful tour guide. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samantha_s
Dec 13, 2024
Highly recommended tour! - Our guide Masa was very friendly and gave us great history about Nagano on our tour. The food and sake we got to try were yummy, traditional local foods. We would not have seen or learnt about the place without the tour. Another plus is Masa takes great photos of you so you can really enjoy yourself and have a great keepsake. Well worth doing!
Review provided by Viator
Andrewst8897sh
Nov 30, 2024
Passing through Nagano the right way! - Our guide Masa was outstanding. It was a relaxed, and very fun experience, that allowed us to take the morning train into Nagano, then we finished back at the station, and took the train onwards to Tokyo. If your plans have you passing by Nagano, or you are staying in Nagano, this is a perfect three hours to take a look around the Zenkoji temple, and taste some fresh off the fire treats, and also a sake tasting from a highly rated Nagano sake brewery. Masa explains the differences in sake, and the traditional baking techniques of the Oyaki dumplings. We finished with Macha ice cream that tasted so much better than what we have back home. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Botsun
Nov 20, 2024
A great 3 hours action packed cultural tour - We had an amazing and action-packed three hours! From trying Nagano’s traditional snack, Oyaki, to tasting at a historic Japanese sake brewery (non-alcoholic options available), indulging in rich and delicious matcha ice cream made by a local teahouse (also available in hojicha flavor!), and exploring famous spots like Zenkoji Temple and Yawataya Isogoro shop, one of Japan’s top three chili pepper makers—every moment was memorable. MASA’s detailed explanations, his kind hospitality, and the beautiful snapshots and commemorative photos he took added so much value to the experience. Whether you have 3 hours to fill , like you’re waiting for your Shinkansen back to Tokyo or filling time before checking into your hotel or hot spring / skiing resort after arriving in Nagano, this cultural tour around Nagano Station is highly recommended. Our guide, MASA, was incredibly accommodating, knowledgeable about both the main attractions and hidden gems, and highly responsive to the needs of our guests visiting from overseas. We’re so grateful for his guidance! The seasonal Unohana (tofu soy pulp)Oyaki and the Daiginjo sake were unforgettable—they were absolutely delicious!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardwa9462gd
Oct 29, 2024
fantastic tour and guide - We had an amazing experience with our local guide Masa. Their extensive local knowledge allowed us to see some great local places that we would have missed on our own. He sent us some fantastic photos afterwards and even recommended a great place for dinner after the tour. We recommend him as a guide for anyone who wants to know the history of the area and have a great tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $96
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).