Togakushi 1-Day Tour: Ninja Town, Hidden Shrines, and Lunch

Meetup with your guide inside Nagano Station at 9:15am - they will be waiting for you in front of the Information Board/video monitors, directly across from the Shinkansen/Bullet Train ticket gates - and travel by public bus For at least 1000 years, Togakushi has been considered sacred, attracting Shinto practitioners and mountain ascetics into its forests. Indeed the story of Togakushi is linked to the creation myths of Japan. Your guide will explain the legends to you as you walk along the forest trail to the main village where you will have lunch at 11:45. Enjoy Togakushi’s renowned ‘soba’ (buckwheat) noodles at a local restaurant before continuing your exploration, by walking the Chusha (Middle Shrine) and then onto to the Ninja Museum - a walk of around 50-minutes. Established in the 12th century, the Togakure school of ninja was founded in the mountains of Togakushi – a place known for its inaccessibility and natural defences. Alternatively called ‘shinobi’, ninja were covert mercenaries, masters of espionage and deception, disappearing as quickly as they appeared. You’ll be guided around the museum before having time to explore for yourself including (should you wish to), entering the ‘Ninja House’ – a maze of deception from which you must try to find your way out. As much for adults as it is for kids! Finally, meeting-up with your guide again you’ll make the short walk to the Zuishimon Gate and along the iconic giant cedar avenue of Togakushi*. A wonderful way to finish your day in one of Japan’s most mysterious landscapes. *Please note, due to time constraints and the challenge of the walk, we do not go all the way to the Okusha (Upper Shrine) but instead spend extended time walking along the cedar avenue. The tour ends in Nagano Station at 5:30pm.