7 Best Private Temple and Shrine Tours in the Japan Alps

Zenko-ji fills with day-trippers by late morning, and a private guide lets you arrive early or reach Togakushi after the buses leave. Most of these also take in the snow monkeys, a long day from Tokyo, so having the car to yourself matters.

2.1-Day Private Snow Monkey ZenkoJi Temple & SakeTasting NaganoTour

Discover the enchanting world of snow monkeys and ancient Zenkoji Temple on this exclusive Nagano tour. Indulge in sake tasting for a truly unforgettable experience.

★ 5.0

“Ali was very accommodating with our group. He arranged everything for us, he got us as close to the snow monkey park as possible, and he gave us great tips for visiting the temple. Our children don’t do well with structured tours so this was…”

33 reviewsFrom $645.00

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3.Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour

Discover Nagano's unique snow monkeys and historic Togakushi Shrine on a private tour with expert guides, flexible pacing, and authentic local insights.

★ 4.5

“Great guide, Shuhei was knowledgeable and friendly. He was a very safe driver too on the snowy roads. Fantastic trip altogether. The monkeys were worth the drive.”

11 reviewsFrom $196.11by Omotenashi Travel Nagano

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4.Tokyo: Nagano, Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Temple Private Tour

Discover Japan’s natural beauty and cultural gems on this private tour to Nagano, snow monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple, and scenic mountain vistas.

★ 4.7

“The driver is very friendly. However, the experience was not what we expected. It is advertised as a guided tour with an English-speaking guide, but I would rather call it a transportation service. The driver hardly speaks English, so we couldn’t communicate with him, and…”

5 reviews10 hoursFrom $516by YUMI TOURS(SMC-PRIVATE)LIMITED

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5.VIP Snow Monkey Park & Zenkoji Temple One Day Private Tour

Discover Japan’s unique snow monkeys bathing in hot springs and explore Zenkoji Temple on this private day tour from Tokyo—perfect for culture and nature lovers.

★ 5.0

“We’d like to share our experience of today’s Nagano tour. We visited a place where we got to see the famous snow monkeys, and it was absolutely wonderful. There’s a 1.6-kilometer hike surrounded by tall trees, and we used snowshoes to avoid slipping on the…”

4 reviews1 dayFrom $387by Sato Tours

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