Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour

🍶 Experience the Best of Nagano’s Sake Culture – Sake Tasting & Walking Tour! 🍶

📅 Duration: 2 hours
📍 Location: Zenkoji Temple Area, Nagano City
👣 Type: Walking Tour


🌟 ✨ Tour Highlights ✨

1️⃣ 🏯 Visit a Historic Sake Brewery

  • Step inside a sake brewery with over 300 years of history!

  • Discover the art of sake brewing and learn the secrets behind premium sake production.

  • Visit a 120-year-old sake factory (no longer in operation) and see traditional brewing tools and methods.

2️⃣ 🍶 Sake Tasting Experience

  • Taste 5+ varieties of sake – including seasonal selections, unfiltered sake, unpasteurized sake, and other premium-grade varieties.

  • Sample Nagano’s unique plum wine (umeshu), a sweet and flavorful local specialty.

  • Enjoy nibbles like soy sauce beans and Nagano’s pickles that perfectly pair with sake.

3️⃣ 🍡 Non-Alcoholic Treats & Miso Soup

  • Taste 3 different types of Amazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic rice drink that even kids can enjoy.

  • Try Nagano’s hearty miso soup, made from local miso, a staple of Japanese cuisine.

4️⃣ 🛍️ Explore Zenkoji’s Laid-Back Local Area

  • Walk through the scenic streets surrounding Zenkoji Temple, a hub of culture, food, and tradition.

  • Visit local shops selling artisan goods, traditional sweets, and unique souvenirs.

  • Your guide will introduce you to local business owners, giving you an opportunity to hear authentic local stories and connect with the heart of the community.

5️⃣ 📸 Photography Tour – Capture the Moments!

  • Your guide will act as a photographer during the tour, taking stunning DSLR photos of your experience.

  • After the tour, you’ll receive beautiful photo memories to treasure forever.


📋 ✨ What’s Included ✨

Sake tasting – Taste 5+ premium sake varieties, including unfiltered, unpasteurized, and seasonal selections.
Umeshu tasting – Sample Nagano’s famous plum wine.
Amazake tasting – Taste 3 varieties of this sweet, non-alcoholic traditional drink.
Local snacks – Enjoy soy sauce beans, pickles, and other tasty nibbles.
Visit to a 300-year-old sake brewery – Learn about the process and see where the magic happens.
Visit a 120-year-old sake factory – View old brewing equipment.
Visit to Zenkoji’s local shops – Connect with local business owners and explore artisan goods.
Miso soup tasting – Warm up with a delicious bowl of local miso soup.
Photography service – Receive snapshots of your experience after the tour.
Friendly local guide – English-speaking, knowledgeable, and passionate about Nagano’s food, drink, and culture.


🌟 Why Join This Tour?

🍶 Taste the Best of Nagano’s Sake – Sample a curated selection of local sakes, from classic brews to seasonal specialties.
🕰️ Step into History – Visit a 300-year-old brewery and a 120-year-old sake factory.
📚 Immerse in Culture – Learn about sake production, Japanese eating customs, and Nagano’s culinary heritage.
📸 Take Memories Home – Enjoy a personal photography service so you can cherish the experience forever.
👣 Walk Like a Local – Stroll the charming streets around Zenkoji Temple, meet local business owners, and discover shops most tourists miss.


💡 After the Tour – Continue Your Adventure!

After the tour ends, you’re free to continue exploring the Zenkoji Temple area at your own pace. This vibrant district is filled with quaint streets, artisan shops, and local eateries. Here’s what you can do:

  • 🛍️ Shop for unique souvenirs and handmade Japanese crafts.
  • 🍡 Sample more street food from charming vendors along Nakamise Street.
  • 📸 Snap Instagram-worthy photos of Zenkoji Temple at sunset.
  • 🍵 Relax in a local cafe and sip on freshly brewed green tea or coffee.

Take your time to soak in the atmosphere of Nagano and explore even more of its hidden treasures.


💡 Additional Information

  • 🕒 Duration: 2 hours.

  • 📍 Start Location: In front of Starbucks Midori Nagano station

  • 👥 Group Size: Small groups for a more intimate, personalized experience.

  • 🍶 Age Restriction: Must be 20+ to participate in sake and umeshu tastings.

  • 👟 What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and a love for food, drink, and discovery!

  • 🌦️ Weather: This tour runs in all weather conditions, so dress accordingly.


📅 ✨ Book Your Tour Today! ✨

Don’t miss this chance to taste the finest sakes, explore Nagano’s rich history, and connect with its local culture!
This one-of-a-kind sake experience will leave you with new knowledge, amazing flavors, and beautiful photos to remember it all.

👉 Reserve Your Spot Now: Book Your Tour Here

1. Who can join this tour?

This tour is open to all ages. While adults can enjoy sake tasting, children are welcome to join and enjoy non-alcoholic amazake and the cultural exploration around Zenkoji Temple. Families with children will find this tour engaging and inclusive.


2. Do I need to be a sake expert to join this tour?

Not at all! This tour is designed for everyone, from beginners to sake enthusiasts. Your guide will explain the basics of sake production, tasting techniques, and its cultural significance.


3. What types of sake will I get to try?

You’ll taste a variety of premium sakes, including unfiltered, unpasteurized, and seasonal varieties. Non-alcoholic amazake will also be available for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, including children.


4. Are there any snacks or sides during the tasting?

Yes, the tasting includes local specialties like Japanese pickles, soy sauce beans, and Nagano’s miso soup to enhance the experience.


5. What is included in the tour price?

The tour price includes:

  • Guided sake tasting at historic breweries
  • Japanese pickles, soy sauce beans, and miso soup
  • A visit to cultural and historical sites near Zenkoji Temple

6. Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins and ends near Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. Exact meeting details will be provided upon booking.


7. How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the group’s pace and interests.


8. Can I purchase sake during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase sake at the breweries if you’d like to take some home.


9. Is this tour suitable for non-drinkers or children?

Absolutely! Non-drinkers can enjoy non-alcoholic amazake and learn about Japanese sake culture, brewing techniques, and Nagano’s history. Children can also enjoy amazake and explore the cultural and historical sites around Zenkoji Temple, making this tour family-friendly.


10. What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as this is a walking tour. Bringing a reusable water bottle is also recommended. Don’t forget your camera if you’d like to capture additional memories!


11. Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The walking tour includes historic streets and old buildings, which may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs. Please contact us in advance to discuss any accessibility concerns.


12. What if it rains on the day of the tour?

The tour operates rain or shine. In the event of rain, please bring an umbrella or raincoat to stay comfortable.


13. Can I take photos during the tour?

Yes! Feel free to take as many photos as you like to capture the experience.


14. What is the cancellation policy?

  • 7+ days before the tour: Full refund (minus a 10% processing fee).
  • 3–6 days before the tour: 50% refund (minus a 10% processing fee).
  • Within 2 days: No refunds.

Trip Itinerary

Meet your guide in front of Starbucks Coffee MIDORI Nagano Station
Meet with our guide at Nagano station and heading to the place for Sake tasting.
Arrive at the place and start to taste Sake
You can try to taste variety of Sake here with nibbles like soy source beans and some Japanese pickles. Miso is one of the Nagano specialities and you can have Nagano’s miso soup.
Visit the old sake factory
You can also visit old sake factory(it is not used now)which is built over 120 years ago to understand the process of making sake.
Explore more about Nagano
After enjoying Sake tasting, the guide will take you to Nagano’s laid back area to visit some local shops around Zenkoji temple
Tour Concludes
The duration of this tour is about 3 hours and tour concludes at Nagano station. If you would like to explore different place like restaurants after this tour, you can say good bye to your guide at around Zenkoji temple area, where is easy to get back to Nagano station by yourself
Have a Question?

Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Nagano Sake Tasting Tour
¥7,800/pp
  • Walking Tour
  • Includes: Sake tasting, some nibbles and admission free to visit old sake factory
  • duration: 2 hours
  • Group: From 1 to 10 pp

Guaranteed lowest price, Exclusive on our website!

¥7,800 per person

Info

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Minimum: 1 people per tour
  • Maximum: 8 people per tour
  • Price: 7,800 JPY (incl. tax) per adult
  • Includes: Sake tasting, nibbles and miso soup. Admission free to visit old sake factory, English-speaking guide
  • Excludes: Extra drinks and food (available to purchase), Bullet train tickets and other transportation fees.
  • Meeting location: In front of Starbucks Midori Nagano station
  • You must be at least 20 years old to consume alcohol
Professional Guide

Local expert, personable English-speaking guides

Walking tour

This is an easy going walking tour. You can come just as you are

Sake Tasting

To join this tour, you must be at least 20 years old

Instagram

Take the photo of spots around Zenko-ji temple

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