Nagano Prefecture sits in the heart of the Japanese Alps, a landlocked mountain region of central Honshu famed for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. Towering peaks, deep valleys, and pristine highland plateaus define the landscape, while centuries-old temples, historic post towns along the Nakasendo highway, and legendary onsen hot springs reveal a culture shaped by isolation and resilience. The prefecture stretches across five distinct mountain ranges, offering year-round outdoor pursuits from ski slopes at Hakuba and Shiga Kogen to summer alpine trekking through Kamikochi and the Northern Japan Alps.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Nagano through its food.
Matsumoto Soba & Sake Walking Tour
Includes: Hands-on soba tasting at two specialist Matsumoto shops · Guided sake flight at a working sakagura in the kura warehouse district · Walking route through the historic Nakamachi and Nawate streets · Oyaki dumpling tasting to close the route · Small-group format with an easy, unhurried pace
Oyaki Cooking Class, Nagano City
Includes: Hands-on oyaki dough preparation from scratch · Three traditional fillings: nozawana pickle, eggplant miso, and sweet red bean · Eat the finished dumplings with green tea at the end of class · Take-home recipe card for repeating the dish at home · Beginner-friendly pace suitable for families
Togakushi Soba Making Experience
Includes: Supervised buckwheat dough mixing, kneading, rolling, and cutting · Learn the fine hand-cut technique specific to Togakushi-style soba · Eat the handmade noodles in traditional tsuyu broth · Short introduction to regional soba history and culture · Located inside the Togakushi Soba Museum in the mountain village
Masumi Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting
Includes: Self-guided tasting flight of up to four Masumi sake varieties · English-language tasting notes covering ginjo, junmai, and seasonal releases · Explanation of Nagano's water and rice terroir at the counter · Occasional small-group brewery tours by advance reservation · Located directly at the Cella Masumi tasting room in Suwa City
Matsumoto Morning Market Food Tour
Includes: Sunday farmers market at Agata no Mori Park, April through November · Guided tastings of local pickles, miso, and seasonal produce · Coffee and wagashi pairing at a nearby café on the guided version · Free self-guided option available for browsing the market independently · Direct exposure to Matsumoto basin farmers and food producers
Nozawa Onsen Traditional Cooking Class
Includes: Nozawana pickle preparation available in winter sessions · Hands-on oyaki and miso soup cooking · Communal, family-style meal shared with the group · Take-home pickled vegetables during winter sessions · Set in the traditional hot-spring village of Nozawa Onsen
Matsumoto Izakaya Night Food Walk
Includes: Guided visits to three curated izakaya near Matsumoto Station · Small plate tastings including yakitori, sanzoku yaki, and sashimi · Local sake and craft beer pairings at each stop · English-speaking guide throughout the evening walk · Evening format suited to sampling Matsumoto's night dining scene
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book tours and cooking classes at least a few days in advance — small-group experiences sell out quickly.
Come hungry — most food tours include 5-8 tastings.
Bring cash for unscheduled stops the guide may recommend.