Nagano Winter Day Trip by Bus: Zenkoji Temple, Iiyama Kamakura Snow Huts and Nozawa Onsen Village

Leave Nagano Station for a day of snowy landscapes and local life

Meet at JR Nagano Station and set off to explore northern Shinshu (the Nagano region) in winter. This roughly 8-hour day tour visits Zenkoji Temple, the kamakura snow huts of Iiyama, Nozawa Onsen Village, and the Shioya Brewery in Suzaka.

Leave the transfers between stops to us, and focus on enjoying temple visits, strolls through the hot spring town and snowy scenery. If you choose the hotpot plan, you can also share a warm meal inside a kamakura.

The order of visits and the time spent at each stop may change depending on road conditions, snowfall and other factors on the day.

In Iiyama, discover a winter scene of snow huts

At Iiyama's Kamakura no Sato (Kamakura Village), you are greeted by a landscape of round, snow-built roofs lined up across the snowfield. Look closely at the shapes of the entrances and the thick snow walls, or capture the huts in photos together with the surrounding mountains. It is a scene you can only find in snow country.

If you would like to dine inside a kamakura, we recommend the Shinshu hotpot plan. Sharing a warm hotpot in a space surrounded by white snow creates a winter memory that sightseeing alone cannot give you.

There is also a plan without lunch, so please choose whether or not to include a meal when you book.

In Nozawa Onsen Village, stroll through a steamy hot spring town

In Nozawa Onsen Village, you will take a walk through the hot spring town. Look out for the wooden public bathhouses (soto-yu) and the rising steam, and you will see how deeply hot springs are woven into everyday local life.

Making onsen tamago (hot spring eggs) is another of the area's pleasures. Experience the local culture of using the heat of the springs for cooking as you enjoy your time in town. Please check the location of the activity, whether eggs are provided and whether any extra fee applies when you book.

At Zenkoji, look up at a grand wooden temple and pay your respects

When you arrive at Zenkoji, start by looking up at the main hall, a National Treasure. The great roof and wooden pillars have a power that photos struggle to convey.

As you pay your respects in the grounds, take a moment to notice the fine details of the architecture. Even in a limited time, you can feel the atmosphere of a place that has drawn worshippers for centuries.

At Shioya Brewery, visit a miso storehouse that nurtures the flavors of Shinshu

At Shioya Brewery, a tour of the miso storehouse introduces you to the fermentation culture that has long supported dining tables across Shinshu.

Look for the rows of wooden barrels and the tools used in preparation, and you will sense the time that goes into making miso, something you rarely see in everyday meals. Alongside snowy scenery and a hot spring town, visiting a place where local flavors are nurtured is part of what makes this trip special.

Frequently asked questions

■ Where do we meet, and how long does the tour take? We meet in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate at JR Nagano Station. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. The tour takes about 8 hours, but this may change depending on weather and road conditions. Please check the guidance sent after booking for details such as departure time.

■ Is a meal in the kamakura included in every plan? No. There are two options: the Shinshu hotpot plan and a plan without lunch. For plans that include a meal, the menu is fixed and cannot be changed, and you may share a table with other participants.

■ Can I bathe in the hot springs at Nozawa Onsen? This article introduces a stroll through the hot spring town. If you would like to bathe, please check before booking which facilities are available, how much time you will have and how bathing fees are handled. For the onsen tamago activity as well, it is a good idea to confirm whether eggs are provided and whether any extra fee applies.

■ Will a guide accompany us at each sightseeing spot? When the tour runs with a small group, the driver also acts as the tour escort, and no separate guide accompanies the group. After arriving at each sightseeing spot, you will explore on your own, so please check the guidance available for your chosen plan, including the languages offered.

■ Am I guaranteed to see snowy scenery and kamakura? The scenery varies depending on snowfall and weather, and the kamakura programme may be adjusted or cancelled. There are also conditions under which itinerary changes or cancelled visits are not eligible for a refund, so please check the operating conditions and the cancellation and refund policy when you book.

What to check before you book

• Your choice of the hotpot plan or the plan without lunch, and the menu details
• Meeting time, guidance language and how you will explore each site
• Warm clothing and non-slip shoes suitable for snowy roads
• Itinerary changes due to snowfall, and the cancellation and refund policy

The itinerary and departure times at each stop may change depending on weather, snowfall and road conditions. Please check the latest information on the booking page before you book.

Summary

Round kamakura in white snow, steam rising over a hot spring town, and Zenkoji with its long history. Northern Shinshu offers scenery you'll want to see in winter.

Share a warm meal with the hotpot plan, and visit a miso storehouse where the local flavors are nurtured. Why not spend a day that lets you feel not only the snowy landscape but also the way of life within it?

Because this tour runs only in winter, the kamakura events and the itinerary depend on the weather. Bring shoes suited to snowy roads and arrive at the meeting point on time. You can find details at Nagano Winter Day Trip | Zenkoji & Iiyama Kamakura & Nozawa Onsen Village.