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Togakushi Shrine: Nature, History, Spirituality
5.0
5 Ratings
Nagano
Explore hidden hiking trails and ancient shrines at Togakushi. Discover spiritual cedars, Shinto statues, and savor top-ranked Togakushi soba.
Explore hidden hiking trails and ancient shrines at Togakushi. Discover spiritual cedars, Shinto statues, and savor top-ranked Togakushi soba.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Beck’s Coffee Shop - Located in front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station, just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates.
- Nagano Station - Board the vehicle with your guide and proceed to Togakushi.
- Kagami-ike Pond - Arrive at Kagamiike Pond, a stunning location with lush greenery and forests where the Togakushi mountains are mirrored on…
- Beck’s Coffee Shop - Located in front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station, just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates.
- Nagano Station - Board the vehicle with your guide and proceed to Togakushi.
- Kagami-ike Pond - Arrive at Kagamiike Pond, a stunning location with lush greenery and forests where the Togakushi mountains are mirrored on the water’s surface, resembling a “kagami” (mirror in Japanese). ＊＊Please note: This spot is inaccessible during winter due to snow, but its beauty in other seasons makes it a must-visit.＊＊
- Tenmeiinari Shrine - Visit this hidden gem and admire the beautiful red Shinto gates in a row at Tenmei Inari Shrine. Following this, head to the entrance of the Okusha area. ＊＊Please note: This spot is inaccessible during winter due to snow, but its beauty in other seasons makes it a must-visit.＊＊
- Togakushi Shrine Okusha (Main Shrine) Zuishinmon - Arrive at the Okusha area. Witness the 400-year-old massive cedar trees leading to the path to Oku Sha. This journey into the forest’s heart spans about 2km, passing through the red Zuishinmon Gate, past cedar trees, up to the Main Hall, which is spectacularly situated on the mountainside of Mt. Togakushi. ＊＊Please note: The Okusha shrine is inaccessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
- Togakushi Shrine Okusha - Arrive at Okusha Shrine, the innermost of the five Togakushi shrines. The shrine honors the god of strength, who moved the rock to allow Amaterasu to emerge from hiding. Okusha Shrine is regarded as the most significant of the five Togakushi shrines. After this, return to the entrance of the Okusha area. ＊＊Please note: The Okusha shrine is inaccessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
- Togakushi Shrine Kuzuryusha - Arrive at Kuzuryusha Shrine, which enshrines a nine-headed dragon governing water. Farmers pray for rain here, and it is also revered as a god of matchmaking. ＊＊Please note: The Kuzuryusha shrine is inaccessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
- Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum - Optional visit to the Togakure Ninpo Museum (admission not included).
- Togakushi Shrine Chusha - Visit Chusha Shrine (Middle Shrine). Enjoy a delicious bowl of Togakushi soba noodles, one of Japan’s most renowned soba dishes, at a local restaurant. Explore the central shrine of Togakushi, dedicated to Tajikarao-no-Mikoto, the god who restored light to the world. Admire the cedar-lined approach and traditional architecture.
- Togakushi Shrine Houkosha - Visit Hokosha, the Lower Shrine, dedicated to Ame-no-Uwaharu, a deity associated with learning and agriculture. ＊＊Please note: The Hokosha shrine may be inaccessible during winter due to snow, but visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking cedar-lined path and the serene winter scenery along the way.＊＊
- Zenko-ji Temple - Zenkoji Temple Option: Visit this historic Buddhist site with a convenient pickup back to Nagano Station.
- Nagano Station - Board the vehicle with your guide and return to Nagano Station.
Please note: The duration of this tour depends on the group’s walking pace, so please allow extra time for your next schedule after this tour.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Transportation to/from all listed destinations
- High quality photographs taken throughout the experience to be shared with you after the tour
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch
- Transportation to/from all listed destinations
- High quality photographs taken throughout the experience to be shared with you after the tour
- English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
- Transportation fee to meeting point is not included.
- Ninja Museum Entrance Fee
- There are no mandatory in-destination costs.
- Extra drinks and food (available to purchase)
- Transportation fee to meeting point is not included.
- Ninja Museum Entrance Fee
- There are no mandatory in-destination costs.
Additional Information
Explore the sacred woodlands and historic shrines of Togakushi on a guided walking tour departing from Nagano. Traverse secluded mountain trails bordered by majestic cedars, visit significant Shinto locations such as Chusha and Okusha, and listen to captivating tales of Japanese mythology shared by your local English-speaking guide. Throughout the…
Explore the sacred woodlands and historic shrines of Togakushi on a guided walking tour departing from Nagano. Traverse secluded mountain trails bordered by majestic cedars, visit significant Shinto locations such as Chusha and Okusha, and listen to captivating tales of Japanese mythology shared by your local English-speaking guide. Throughout the journey, admire breathtaking alpine vistas and savor a traditional meal of handmade Togakushi soba noodles, a local delicacy. Depending on the season and conditions, the itinerary may also feature tranquil forest paths, picturesque ponds, or optional cultural visits.
- Please do not eat or drink coffee inside the vehicle to keep it clean for everyone. Bottled water and small pets in carriers are okay.
- In case of late arrival, the tour cannot be extended.
- Please wear suitable cloths & shoes for walking. Togakushi sits at an altitude of around 1,100m above sea level. If it rains, it will be cold even in summer time.
- No strollers
- 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.
Location
Beck's Coffee Shop
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(5 Ratings)
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Philip_m
Oct 26, 2025
The sacred forest - Highly recommend this activity. We enjoyed it immensely even under extreme weather conditions, it rained heavily throughout so part of the trail to the shrine was slippy and quite a climb but all was OK.
The trees and colours are just right atm so if it's a dry sunny day it would be spectacular.
Masa, our guide was charming and helped make the day pleasant even in rain, he told us all the stories.
He took us to a lovely authentic restaurant with great food, much better than expected as some tours that part of the day is disappointing.
It's a windy drive but we went as a small group in a comfortable vehicle.
Thankyou Masa for a great day!
Review provided by Viator
Sue_m
Jun 1, 2025
Wonderful day tour in the woods - Our guide Masa was very knowledgeable about the local area, and knew the best restaurant for an authentic soba experience, which was amazing! Although it was a little rainy in the morning, the tour was amazing. The shrines and the forest were very beautiful! Highly recommend you take this tour with Masa, if you can!
Review provided by Viator
Neledirks_r
Apr 17, 2025
The tour was very nice... - The tour was very nice and the guide as well! I had a wonderful day and would totally recommend this :)
Review provided by Viator
Coastal92057
Mar 30, 2025
A walk amongst the ancient trees… - Stunningly beautiful location. The guide was fantastic, he has family connection to the area and can ground you in a sense of place and history. His knowledge about the shrines and Shintoism was wonderful. The lunch at a local restaurant was super tasty too. Highly recommend the walk and the guide. Only suggestion is if you go in early spring the walk can be quite icy, so shoes with good traction is a must.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
972dwightk
Oct 23, 2024
Outstanding walking tour of Togakushi shrines and Kagami Iki Pond with local lunch - It was a wonderful, informative personal tour for only two of us. Masa, our guide, was outstanding, accommodated our pace, interests, and food. Masa suggested leaving earlier than scheduled to avoid crowds, which worked out well. Kagami Iki Pond was absolutely beautiful, with autumn leaves and mountains reflected on the water's surface. We visited four of the main shrines, plus an additional hidden one, and learned about Shinto and how to properly bow and clap at shrines. The hike to Okushi was the longest and the most challenging, but the path is well maintained and accessible for anyone in modest shape. Lunch was authentic soba at a restaurant over 100 years old. At the end of the tour, Masa dropped us off at the Zenko-ji Temple because we mentioned we wanted to try the Beni-Beni pie. Masa was born and raised in the Togakushi area and, therefore, very knowledgeable, providing a unique perspective. His English was very good as he completed graduate school and worked in London prior to moving back to Nagano. Masa also took many pictures of us at the different sites, that he sent to us the next day as part of the package. Overall, we highly recommend this tour company to anyone interested in sightseeing in the Nagano area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
