Tour Features	Nagano, widely known as the host city of the Winter Olympics in 1998, has always been a Buddhist mecca for Japanese pilgrims since ancient times. This renowned temple, Zenkoji, has a history of 1,400 years and has grand 300 year-old Main Hall (believed to be one of the three largest historical Buddist temple buildings in Japan) designated as a National Treasure complementing its natural environs.  Walking through the pitch-black passageway underneath the altar of the sacred main image of Zenkoji (Amitabha), and touching the 'Key to Paradise', will give you a deep insight into what Buddhism has meant to the Japanese people.  Also learn what Buddhist Hell meant at Saiko-ji. You can see amazing picture scrolls that depict every scene of the Hell(OP).  If you are an art lover, especially love the famous Japanese-style painter HIGASHIYAMA Kaii,it is highly recommended you visit this art gallery that owns the most works of his in Japan.(OP)  We will walk up the Main Approach to Zenko-ji while enjoying the atomosphere of the old town, and exchanging words with local people.  Nagano is only 85 min from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Come visit us. We are looking forward to guiding you soon!!
Tour Time	9:00a.m.- around 12:00p.m.(can be changed at request)
Meeting Time	9:00 or 9:50 a.m (If from Tokyo, take 7:28 Shinkansen Asama 505 (or 7:52 Shinkansen Asama 507.)(Meeting Time can be adjusted to your schedule.)
Meeting Place	Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (1F Lobby)in front of Nagano Sta. Click for the map of the meeting place.
Duration	Approx. 3 hours
Tour Price	3,000 JPY for 1 person. Add 1,000 JPY each for more. (applicable to the tours conducted by Nov.2009)
Expenses not Included in the Tour Price	Admission fee (500 yen) (Optional:Admission fee for Saikoji Temple and storytelling - 300 yen, Higashiyama Kaii Art Gallery (closed on Wed,and Dec 29 ~ Jan 1) - 500 yen)
Itinerary	JR Nagano Station - Downtown & Main Approach to Zenko-ji (mom-and-pop shops, craftsman shops, rows of beautiful warehouses) - Zenko-ji Temple (end of the tour) -option: Higashiyama Kaii Gallery (Maestro of modern Japanese-style Painting )
Guide's Name	Haruko MASUO (Ms.)
Language	English
Distance of the Route	Approx. 3 kilometers or 2 miles
Dates of Operation	Everyday on request basis, throughout the year
Guide's Cellphone Number (for Emergency)	+81 (0)90-1996-6161
My Website	http://w1.avis.ne.jp/~masuoha
To Make a Reservation, Send an email to us with (1) your name, (2) number of participants, (3) desired tour date, and (4) name and phone number of your hotel in Japan (or your contact phone number).	welcometonagano@gmail.com
Notes	Reservation is necessary. Send email at least 2 days in advance to see the availability. Upon receipt of your application, we will confirm your booking by email. This tour is not insured, so it is highly advised you get health, accident and liability insurance before you join our tour. Credit cards are not accepted. Paypal payment is acceptable. If you would like to walk up to Zenkoji in a pretty kimono, a local kimono shop offers a kimono rental service for 3,000 yen. Reservation is necessary 3 days in advance. Photos(from left) '"Hakuba no Mori"1972 by HIGASHIYAMA Kaii' / 'Zenkoji temple' / 'jigoku-e (part)' Courtesy of Higashiyama Kaii Art Gallery, Zenkoji Temple, Saikoji Temple. Copyright.

Tour Features	Snow Monkey Park' has been attracting visitors from all over the world. The photo,"Snow Monkey and Baby", was selected as Grand Prize of the 2006 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Award. Snow Monkey Park is widely known for the scenes monkeys bathing comfortably in a hot spring. Jigokudani literally means "Hell's Valley". There are a lot of hot springs that flow from its rocky bed and also a hot spring fountain. At the foot of Shiga-kogen heights, the winter here is harsh, but the monkeys can escape snow and cold soaking in a bath. http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm This area is a renowned huge hot spring resort with a wide selection of hotels and inns and even public baths for day trippers. It was a venue for snowboarding events in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. On the way back, we stop at 'Hokusai Art Gallery'to enjoy the masterpieces of the ukiyoe maestro's original hand paintings which you can only see here -- they include those magnificent paintings of 'Dragon','Phenix'and 'Waves' on the ceilings of festival floats. The nearby temple with Hokusai's stunningly divine grand mural on its ceiling could be your choice. Come visit us and enjoy real wonders of Japan.
Tour Time	9:00 or 10:00 am~around 4:00pm
Meeting Time	9:00 or 10:00 ( from Tokyo: 7:28 Shinkansen Asama 505, or 7:52 Shinkansen Asama 507) (from Nagoya: 7:00 Super Express Shinano 1) --> meet the guide at Nagano station outside the ticket gate (not at the following meeting place)
Meeting Place	for those who can get to Nagano sta. earlier than the above meeting time: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (1F Lobby)in front of Nagano Sta. Click here for the map of the meeting place
Duration	6~7 hours (also negotiable)
Tour Price	15,000 JPY for 1~3 persons. Add 1,000 JPY each for more (applicable to the tours conducted by Nov. 2009
Expenses not Included in the Tour Price	Transportation & admission (around 2,500 JPY),and lunch are not included in the tour price.
Itinerary	JR Nagano Station-Snow Monkey Park-Onsen(Hot Spring)-Obuse-Hokusai Art Gallery etc. -JR Nagano Station (Itinerary is subject to change)
Guide's Name	Haruko MASUO (Ms.)
Language	English
Distance of the Route	around 5 kilometers or 3 miles
Dates of Operation	Every day on request basis.(Reservation is necessary. Send e-mail to us at least two days in advance to see the availability. Upon receipt of your application, we will confirm your booking by email
Guide's Cellphone Number (for Emergency)	+81 (0)90-1996-6161
My Website	http://w1.avis.ne.jp/~masuoha
To Make a Reservation, Send an email to us with (1) your name, (2) number of participants, (3) desired tour date, and (4) name and phone number of your hotel in Japan (or your contact phone number).	welcometonagano@gmail.com
Notes	This tour is not insured, so it is highly advised that you purchase health, accident and liability insurance before joining our tour. Credit cards are not accepted. Paypal payment is acceptable. The photos shown below are 'the monkeys in the snow.' Courtesy of Mr. Toshio Hagiwara, JIGOKUDANI Snow Monkey Park. Copyright.

Tour Features	Let's explore the typical castle town and feel a touch of Samurai spirit.
Tour Time	9:00 - 13:00
Meeting Time	9:00
Meeting Place	In front of "Nagoya City Tourist Information Center" at Main Concourse of JR Nagoya Station Click here for the map of the meeting place
Duration	About 4 hours
Tour Price	3,500 yen
Expenses not Included in the Tour Price	Transportation from Nagoya to Inuyama (one way 540 yen) & Admission fee to Inuyama Castle (500 yen)
Itinerary	Inuyama Station - Inuyama Castle (the oldest since 1537) - Inuyama Festival Float & Puppet Exhibition Halls - Rest stop (Rice cake or Japanese pastry is served) - Isobe's House (former merchant house) - Inuyama Station
Guide's Name	ASAKURA Setsuko
Language	English
Distance of the Route	About 3.5 km or 2.1 miles (with uphill slope near the castle)
Dates of Operation	Every day (reservation required)
Guide's Cellphone Number (for Emergency)	090-7046-8047
To Make a Reservation, Send an email to us with (1) your name, (2) number of participants, (3) desired tour date, and (4) name and phone number of your hotel in Japan (or your contact phone number).	k4t8srs3@docomo.ne.jp
Notes	Insurance is not included in the tour price. Credit cards are not accepted.