Zenkoji Temple tours

We had an absolutely fantastic time with our guide Joyce. She was incredibly knowledgeable and it really helped us fully enjoy all the sights but also gave us some valuable insight into the history of the city. The oyaki restaurant felt intimate and we enjoyed sitting by the fire watching them cook. The sake tasting was also fun, we learned so much and ended up purchasing several things and sent them to our accommodation in Japan for free which was really convenient. During and after the fire ceremony, the monk leading it was kind enough to spend time answering all our questions about the temple. When you visit the main temple, don't miss out on the underground passage! Lastly, our stay at the Shukubo was the perfect way to round out our experience. The hosts were so kind, and both meals were absolutely delicious! She also gave us a great recommendation for lunch inside the station, Meijitei which had amazing local soba noodles and Katsu. Perfect fuel for our snow monkey visit! 10/10 recommend!

An enjoyable day trip at Nagano,suitable for those who likes Sake! There is a good variety of sake for tasting and if you purchase more that 6000 yen, there is few delivery within Japan area. The time at Zenkoji was a bit tight but there was ample time at the Snow Monkey park. It was a good hike up the hill and we saw the monkeys enjoying the onsen in the snow. Lunch was delicious. The trip guide Shawn speaks very good English!

Happy I got to pick a great date for this tour—skies were clear, unlike the gloomy weather a few days prior that I heard offered less ideal sightings of Mt. Fuji. Our guide, Mario, provided an ideal time period for each stop, giving us ample time to appreciate the views, explore the surroundings, and take pics without feeling rushed. *I skipped going up Arakurayama Sengen Park for the panoramic view of Mt. Fuji. The uphill walk to the park entrance was already tiring, so I decided against climbing the many stairs to the main viewing spot. Still, it was a memorable experience overall :)

This is a must-book especially if you have kids! Very interesting itinerary and good pacing. We were put under the English-speaking group for once by this tour organiser, so we were able to better appreciate Alex, the tour guide’s, depth of knowledge and tips. I would definitely recommend as long as you’re booked under the correct language group.

A bit of a challenge when looking for the bus parking lot, They should have given a photo from Nagoya Station leading to the meeting point so that we could find it easier. We were very lucky to finally find it, 10 minutes before departure, so we could enjoy the trip.

Truly Magical place. Had a wonderful experience at Takayama and Shirakawago. Even though our Itinerary was cut short due to bad weather, we had supreme experience with Snow and Scenery. Our Tour Guide was a bit inexperienced and little less active but she was very sweet nonetheless.

Absolutely perfect ! The guide was awesome and very knowledgeable without being overwhelming. First, we had some oyaki in a very nice place with very nice people. Then, some sake tasting. After, we visited Zenkoji and had some free time before the fire ceremony. Finally we learned about the tea ceremony at Tsumugi which was incredible. We slept at Ryōshōin Shukubo for the night. Midori-san was so nice and so helpful. The food was incredible. The next day, we went to the morning ceremony then to the crypt. The guide was extremely energetic at 6am and seemed a little bit miffed at realising that the guide we had the day before had basically told us a lot about Zenkoji already. Everything was seriously great and I definitely recommend. Even the terrible weather we had couldn't put a damper on that wonderful day.

Tour was perfect. Tour guide very informative, friendly and fluent in English. Sometimes felt a bit rushed, but that is to be expected with tours. Food was amazing and a great cultural experience. Bus journey was convenient and smooth. We got to see 4 monkeys and the views were to die for, especially with the autumn colours. Saka experience was good, and you got to try a lot and it was all very smooth. Though, if you struggle with walking or steps, then this probably isn't the best Tour for you. As the steps near the monkeys is very steep, though short (~30-40 mins).