NAGANO ADVENTURES

Nagano Adventures is a personalized local guiding service specializing in customizable, activity-based private tours throughout the greater Nagano area of central Japan. I work closely with you to choose destinations and activities that suit your schedule, experience, and expectations, help you arrange the logistics, and lead you on a one-of-a-kind active and culturally immersive tour in amazing areas away from the main tourist routes, yet near to my heart (& home). I am available for everything from half-day to multi-day adventures, and can often accommodate bookings on short notice.

About Me

ClIENT TESTIMONIALS

"Paul Deckret is a highly skilled, knowledgeable, energetic hiking guide. He guided our group of 12 people from Oregon and Washington, ranging in age from 40-80, on a hike in the Yatsugatake Mountain Range in Japan. Paul's enthusiasm and humor were contagious and we quickly grew into a cohesive group willing to undertake activities from boulder hiking to karaoke under his competent guidance. By the conclusion of our 5 day trip, Paul was not only our leader, but our friend. He made the trip a memorable adventure for us all."

Margot / Oregon, USA

PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE

OPTION 1: Search by REGION

Though Nagano prefecture is relatively small, similar in size to the American state of Connecticut or the European country of Montenegro, the mountains that define its borders and divide its lands have served to isolate and insulate them into distinct regions with varying topography and uniquely preserved cultures, customs, cuisines and feel.

To get a better idea of what can be done or found in each of the main areas we guide, as well as which one(s) might offer the experience you are looking for, take a look at our Adventure (B)log. The Adventure (B)log is organized into separate categories for each region and features write-ups, photos, and occasional videos of personal excursions or previous tours to destinations both on and off the beaten tourist path.

HAKUBA / OTARI

Explore stunning alpine peaks, soak in relaxing hot springs & visit traditional countryside villages

SHIONOMICHI

Travel through time and across idyllic landscapes on 120km of Japan's scenic & storied "Salt Road"

AZUMINO / OMACHI

Hike deep into the heart of the Northern Alps or cycle through rice and wasabi fields at their foot

Tour one of the country's most impressive castles or experience the exquisite nature of Kamikochi

MATSUMOTO AREA

NAGANO AREA

Visit one of Japan's most important temples and tread ancient pilgrimage trails through deep forest

KISO AREA

Relive history in the preserved wooden post towns and on the cobblestone roads of the Nakasendo.

OPTION 2: Search by ACTIVITY

Our tours are typically built around one or more main activities. Foundational activities are augmented with cultural events and experiences to ensure an authentic, engaging, and well-rounded itinerary. In most cases it is possible to arrange a tour in a particular region or on a specific route in a number of different styles, depending on your preferences, ability level, and practical considerations such as the daily distance, duration, and overall difficulty.

As an example, Azumino's fantastic Panorama Ginza high-alpine ridge trail could be done as a:

Tough 1-day trail run
Moderate 2-day fastpacking trip with an overnight in tents
Leisurely 4-day hut-to-hut hike

Likewise, the Shio-no-Michi can be enjoyed as a:

6-day walking excursion across the entire 120km length from Itoigawa to Matsumoto
4-day combination hiking & biking tour that covers the mountain trails on foot and the road sections by bike.
Series of day hikes on the most scenic sections of the trail
Half-day snowshoe walk

Entries in our Adventure (B)log can be filtered by the activities performed during the excursions described in each post to help you sort through the information more easily.

HIKING

FASTPACKING

(TRAIL)

RUNNING

SNOWSHOEING

CYCLING

FINAL STEP: Contact NAGANO ADVENTURES

The destinations, activities and experiences listed on this site are great examples of what we can put together, but are still only a small sampling of what is possible. Whether you are interested in following a schedule you have seen described here as-is, would like to modify an example itinerary from our site, or if you have something completely different in mind: we can work with you to arrange a tour that is customized to your specifications. Please get in touch using the Contact Form in the footer of each page, or by clicking on the Let's Chat button on the bottom right of your screen.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

NATURE

Trade the city for the countryside.

Japan is a fascinating country, and this is its heartland. Nagano is blessed with incredible nature including the highest and most impressive peaks the archipelago has to offer; the Japanese Alps. These mountains and their forested surroundings provide plentiful outdoor opportunities with unmatched scenery, and have played an important part in isolating and preserving the area's unique culture, customs, cuisine, traditions and way of life.

CULTURE

Immersion starts with interaction.

Getting off the beaten path in small-town Japan can be intimidating. English information can be scare or non-existent. Rural residents, despite being the most generous people with the best stories to tell, are often the most hesitant to open-up or the least able to because of language constraints. A guide with local knowledge and connections can open up a host of authentic interactions and lead to a level of cultural immersion you can't get on your own.

ACTIVITY

Move the body, engage the mind.

All of our tours are structured around activities, since we believe that purposeful movement turns a trip into a journey; bringing meaning to the entire process and not just the outcome. Physical effort also stimulates the mind and deepens the connection to the environment in which one is spending time. We can match the activity type, duration, distance and intensity level to your abilities and preference.