Welcome

Explore, Hike, Nature

NaganoTrail is a small, personally-guided tour operator based in Nagano. Every tour is led by your guide, in English, whether you're watching wild snow monkeys soak in a hot spring or trekking an ancient pilgrim road through cedar forest. No big groups, no rush — just Nagano, shown by someone who knows it well.

The tours

Choose your experience

Wild snow monkeys soaking in the Jigokudani hot spring
Jigokudani

Snow Monkey Onsen Trek

Wild macaques soaking in a mountain hot spring — every train, bus, and trail handled for you.

View tour →
The cedar avenue leading to Togakushi Okusha shrine
Togakushi

Togakushi Kodo Trek

A 400-year cedar avenue, a steep shrine ascent at dawn, and a historic soba lunch.

View tour →
A quiet temple hall in Nagano, prepared for zazen meditation
Coming soon

Zazen Meditation

A guided seated-meditation experience at a Nagano temple, currently in preparation.

In preparation
Your guide

Hi, I'm RU — say "Roo"

RU, your NaganoTrail guide, above the clouds on a Nagano mountain

Based in Nagano for years, I still find something new on the trail every season. I guide every tour myself in English — and I'm happy to switch to Japanese when it helps — so you get a real local's pace and a few honest recommendations along the way, not a script.

Feel free to reach out directly with questions about a tour, the weather, or what to wear — I'm happy to help you plan.

Good to know

Booking & payment

How to book

  • Pick an open date on a tour's page, then confirm by email to reserve it.
  • Questions first? Just email — see below.

Payment

  • After you confirm by email, pay by card before the deadline we send you. Pricing and the cancellation policy are on each tour's page.
  • Trains, buses, entrance fees, and meals along the way are separate, and generally paid in cash as you go.