Nagano Premium — the Japanese Alps, Ancient Temples and Kusatsu Onsen

A private 4-day / 3-night journey from Tokyo: Zenkoji Temple, snow monkeys, Obuse and Hokusai, Matsumoto Castle and relaxation at Kusatsu Onsen.

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   Day 1 · Zenkoji

   One of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, founded almost 1,400 years ago. Beneath the main hall lies the famous dark corridor, a symbol of the path to enlightenment. A walk along the historic Nakamise shopping street.

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   Day 2 · Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

   A walk along a forest trail to the famous Japanese macaques, which relax in natural hot springs all year round.

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   Day 2 · Obuse and the Legacy of Hokusai

   A town that has preserved the atmosphere of the Edo period: chestnut sweets, the Katsushika Hokusai museum and the grand ceiling painting "Phoenix" in Ganshoin Temple.

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   Day 3 · Togakushi Shrine

   One of Japan's most mysterious shrines, linked to the myth of the sun goddess Amaterasu. An avenue of centuries-old cedars — one of the most beautiful in the country.

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   Day 3 · Lunch at the Ishii Miso brewery

   A family brewery founded in 1868: three-year-aged miso in cedar barrels and a signature lunch featuring dishes of Shinshu cuisine.

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   Day 3 · Matsumoto Castle

   The "Crow Castle" — one of Japan's twelve original castles and a national treasure of the country.

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   Day 3–4 · Kusatsu Onsen

   One of Japan's three most famous onsen resorts, with a thousand-year history. Check-in at a traditional ryokan, a kaiseki dinner, thermal springs.

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   Day 4 · Yubatake and the Yumomi Show

   The main symbol of Kusatsu — the wooden Yubatake complex; a traditional show of cooling the hot water with large wooden paddles to the sound of folk songs.