Zenkoji Temple: Nagano's Cultural Journey

59 Ratings

Nagano

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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

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Highlights

Zenkoji Omotesando - Enjoy Oyaki → Explore Zenkoji → Sake Sampling → Stroll Through Backstreets → Savor Matcha Dessert (choose between matcha ice cream or dorayaki). ● Stop 1 — Oyaki House: Delight in warm oyaki tasting. ● Stop 2 — Zenkoji Area: Stroll along the main streets and visit Zenkoji Temple. ● Stop 3 — Sake Tasting: Experience local sake…

What's Included

2 Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)
Sake Tasting
Matcha dessert (choice of matcha ice cream or dorayaki)

What's Not Included

Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
Meal for infant
Transportation fee to meeting point
There are no mandatory in-destination costs.

Meal Options

Matcha dessert (choice of matcha ice cream or dorayaki)
2 Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)

Additional Information

Explore Nagano on a delightful food and culture tour featuring four main attractions in an ideal sequence: savoring freshly prepared oyaki, exploring the Zenkoji area, indulging in a local sake tasting, and enjoying a matcha dessert (either matcha ice cream or dorayaki). As you move between these highlights, take in the serene backstreets, visit…

The journey begins with warm oyaki, followed by a leisurely walk through the historic streets surrounding Zenkoji, leading to a sake tasting experience. Conclude the tour at a charming matcha dessert spot before heading back towards Nagano Station.

Start with freshly made oyaki, Nagano’s renowned stuffed dumplings, served warm
Stroll through the historic streets and tranquil back lanes of the Zenkoji area
Delight in a local sake tasting accompanied by small bites and local pairings
Conclude with a matcha dessert, choosing between matcha ice cream or dorayaki
Visit 2–3 small family-run shops and meet the local proprietors
Discover hidden gems not found in guidebooks
Learn basic local tasting etiquette and hear stories of daily life in Nagano
Walking shoes are recommended
Minimum alcahol drinking age is 20 years. So we offer another drink for under 20.
In case of late arrival, the tour cannot be extended.
o8Experience is a locally based tour company offering private and small-group experiences across Nagano and surrounding regions. From food and culture to nature and history, we create meaningful journeys tailored to curious travelers. Visit o8Experience to discover more.
Not suitable for person who needs gluten free food.
This tour generally requires 2 or more guests to operate. For solo travelers, feel free to contact us before booking to confirm availability.

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

4.9

(59 Ratings)

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264jessicar

Jan 31, 2026

Wonderful day exploring Nagano - We had a wonderful time walking and talking with Masa. We had never been to Nagano before and this was a great way to briefly see the area and enjoy some of the local sights and flavors while learning some of the history of the area. I highly recommend this tour when visiting Nagano.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Debra_l

Oct 11, 2025

Enjoyable tour - Our guide's name was Masa and he was very informative. He took us to places that we would never have found by ourselves. We tasted oyaki, a traditional food that we probably wouldn't have tried had we been on our own. Masa took us to the Zenkoji Temple and explained about the Shinto religion. On our way back we had a sake tasting and tried matcha icecream. I would highly recommend this tour.

Review provided by Viator

Shawnad83

Oct 10, 2025

Interesting overview tour of Nagano - Fun and interesting tour of Nagano. In addition to going to the temple, we went to a shrine, had a few food tastings and saw some traditional shops and homes. We also walked by the are where they helps the Olympic medal ceremonies. The guide was informative and funny. The temple is beautiful and we really enjoyed trying oyaki, the dumpling famous for the area.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jackieo7

Oct 7, 2025

We loved visiting Nagano!! - We spent the day with Masa from o8 Experience and had a wonderful time! This is truly what we wanted to experience - from a local person’s perspective. Everything is so walkable and close to our hotel, too. We learned about family traditions when visiting the temple to daily life with a special visit to a shrine. It helped us understand the Japanese people’s thoughts on family, life, and prosperity. Walking around the grounds of the Zenkoji temple was amazing! It’s a treasure here in Nagano. We also stopped by a local shop for Oyaki dumplings. Delicious and interesting to see them make a traditional farmer’s meal. We also had the best matcha ice cream for a treat after lunch. Nagano has such a chill vibe and is completely different from other busier cities. It’s definitely worth the visit.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

435jacintas

Jul 19, 2025

Oyaki and matcha ice cream… the best of Nagano summer - Thanks Masa and Riku for making our families summer tour of Nagano so easy, interesting, delicious, and fun. We really appreciate your enthusiasm, hospitality and excellent photos!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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

Jpmooy