1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninjas, and Hidden Shrines

5.0 (20 reviews) 8 h 15 min Free cancellation

out of 5

20 reviews

5.0

1-Day Togakushi Tour: Soba making, Ninjas, and Hidden Shrines — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The gigantic trees are over 400 year olds and considered sacred in their own right. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Escape to the Mountains: Ninja, Soba & Sacred Cedars

Step into the pristine forests of Togakushi, where Japan’s creation myths and ninja secrets come to life. This year-round adventure from Nagano blends hands-on tradition with ancient spirituality.

Tour Highlights:

Master the Soba Blade: Don’t just eat lunch—make it. Knead, roll, and hand-cut Togakushi’s world-famous buckwheat noodles from scratch alongside local experts.

The Path of the Ninja: Delve into the legacy of the Togakure clan. In warmer months, navigate the trapdoors of the Ninja Trick House. In winter, strap on traditional kanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to float over deep mountain powder.

The Giant Cedar Avenue: Pass through the red Zuishinmon Gate into a breathtaking cathedral of 400-year-old cedars. Depending on the season, hike to the hidden Okusha Shrine or enjoy an exclusive winter snowshoe trek among the snow-laden giants.

Perfect for Tokyo Day-Trippers! Easy access via Shinkansen.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Guided tour at all listed attractions
Included: Entry ticket to the Togakushi Ninja Museum (Green Season)
Included: Transportation fee from Nagano to Togakushi and between activities/attractions
Included: Kanjiki traditional snowshoe rental (Winter Season)
Included: English-speaking guide
Included: Lunch: including your own handmade noodles

Not included

Not included: Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket
Not included: Accommodation
Not included: Additional food, snacks & drinks

Itinerary

Tonkururin

2 hours Admission included

Start your soba making journey from scratch with the help of your guide and the museum's expert soba artisans.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a handmade soba lunch inside of the museum's restaurant seating area!
Togakushi Shrine Chusha

30 min

Depart for the Togakushi Ninja Museum, with a short stop at the Togakushi Chusha Shrine along the way.
Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum

2 hours Admission included

(Green Season ONLY) Once arrived at the ninja museum, your guide will accompany you to the ninja trick house to enjoy engaging and authentic puzzle-solving to escape the manor. Time permitting, you will have time to enjoy other aspects of the ninja museum during free time.
Togakushi Shrine Okusha

2 hours Admission included

Immerse yourself in the spiritual heart of Togakushi, where Shinto creation myths and towering nature converge. Your experience at this sacred site adapts to the season:

Green Season (Mid-April to Mid-Nov): Walk the ancient "Togakushi Kodo" pilgrimage trail. Pass through the striking red Zuishinmon Gate and hike a breathtaking avenue of 400-year-old giant cedars, culminating in a stone-step ascent to the secluded Okusha Shrine.

Winter Season (Mid-Nov to Mid-April): When heavy snows make the upper shrine inaccessible, the adventure transforms. Strap on traditional wakanjiki (ninja snowshoes) to confidently bypass winter barriers. Float over deep mountain powder to reach the Zuishinmon Gate and enjoy an exclusive, crowd-free snowshoe trek directly into the hushed, snow-laden cathedral of giant cedars.

(Note: During the winter season, the trek focuses on the spectacular cedar avenue, as the Okusha Shrine building itself is closed due to deep snow).

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station. Your guide will wait for you infront of the large Information Board and video montiors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The meetup time is 09:15.

End point

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station. Your guide will wait for you infront of the large Information Board and video montiors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The meetup time is 09:15.

Using your ticket

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to the amount of hiking (approximately 4 hours)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour has a minimum of 2 guests to operate
Physical Requirements: This tour involves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking along forest trails. In the Green Season, this includes a section of ascending stone steps. In the Winter Season, you will be trekking through deep snow.
This tour spends a considerable period of time outside. Weather conditions in Togakushi are often notably cooler than Nagano City, even in summer. Please also ensure you wear suitable clothing for the season and bring a waterproof jacket and/or umbrella as weather conditions can change quickly.
This tour includes a 'soba' (buckwheat) noodle lunch in Togakushi village. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at time of booking.
Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Footwear & Clothing: Please wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. For winter tours (Mid-Nov to Mid-April), waterproof snow boots and warm, waterproof clothing are strongly recommended for the snowshoeing segment. We also recommend checking the daily forecast and bringing an umbrella or raincoat if needed.
Due to the amount of walking, this tour is not suitable for guests who are mobility impaired