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1-Day Togakushi: Soba making, Ninja Town and Hidden Shrines
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 8h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
Overview
- Traditional Cooking: Learn the art of soba-making from a local expert
- Ninja Adventure: Navigate a historic "Trick House" with secret passages
- Iconic Nature: Trek through the famous avenue of 400-year-old giant cedar trees.
- Small Group Experience: Enjoy personalised insights from a professional guide
Activity location
- Nagano
- Nagano, Nagano, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan | This tour operates to and from Nagano Station. The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a Snow Monkey Resorts tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 09:40.
- Nagano, Nagano, Japan
Check availability
1-Day Togakushi Nature Hike and Ninja Tour
- 8h
- English
What's included, what's not
- Transport fee from Nagano to Togakushi and between activities/attractions
- Togakushi Ninja Museum inc. Ninja House entry fee
- Soba noodle making experience at a renowned soba noodle restaurant
- Lunch (including your own handmade noodles)
- Guided tour at Togakushi Ninja Museum, various shrines throughout Togakushi, and guided soba making experience
- English-speaking guide
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
- Optional activity fees within the Togakushi Ninja Museum inc.
- Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
- Accommodation
Know before you book
- In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
What you can expect
Experience the Hidden Traditions of Togakushi
Journey into the forested mountains of Nagano to discover Togakushi, a high-altitude sanctuary where ancient Japanese myths, ninja history, and traditional crafts converge. This full-day tour offers a rare look at a side of Japan many travellers miss, combining hands-on activity with a peaceful forest pilgrimage.
Morning: Hand-Make Your Own Soba Lunch
Your day begins at Nagano Station, where you will meet your guide and head into the cool, mountainous Shinshu Province. Togakushi is famous across Japan for its high-quality buckwheat (soba) noodles.
The Workshop: Under the guidance of a local specialist, you will learn to knead, roll, and hand-cut your own noodles using pristine mountain water.
The Reward: After the lesson, sit down to enjoy the fresh soba you prepared—an authentic, rewarding lunch that connects you directly to the local culture.
Midday: Ninja History and the “Hidden Door” Myth
After lunch, we dive into the legendary history of the Togakure school of Ninja, established in these mountains in the 12th century.
The Ninja Museum: Explore a collection of authentic artefacts and learn how the “shinobi” used the rugged terrain for secret training.
The Ninja Trick House: Test your problem-solving skills as you navigate a historic building filled with secret passages, revolving walls, and hidden stairs.
Ancient Folklore: Your guide will share the 1,000-year-old myth of the “Hidden Door,” the celestial event that local legend says created the dramatic Togakushi landscape.
Afternoon: The Ancient Cedar Avenue and Okusha Shrine
The tour concludes with a breathtaking walk along the Togakushi Kodo pilgrimage trail.
The Giant Cedars: Pass through the iconic red Zuishimon Gate and enter a world-famous avenue lined with over 200 ancient cedar trees, some over 400 years old.
The Hidden Shrine: Follow the flat, forested path on a 45-minute walk to reach the Okusha Shrine, the most secluded and sacred site in the area, tucked at the base of towering stone cliffs.
After a peaceful return walk through the forest, we provide transport back to Nagano Station, arriving at 17:20 in time for your evening plans or onward train.
Location
Activity location
- Nagano
- Nagano, Nagano, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan | This tour operates to and from Nagano Station. The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a Snow Monkey Resorts tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 09:40.
- Nagano, Nagano, Japan