This morning you will be rising early and experience morning prayers at Zenko-ji. After the ceremony return to your lodgings for a "monks breakfast" and then have the opportunity to make a visit to the famous hot spring-bathing snow monkeys of Yudanaka.

After lunch we board the train and head out to Matsumoto city, which is famous for it's incredible samurai castle nicknamed the "Black Crow". In the afternoon you can visit the castle, it's nearby museum, or venture out to the "Ukiyo-e woodblock print museum" in the suburbs.

About the Destinations

Jigokudani Monkey Park (Park): Jigokudani Monkey Park is a world wide famous place where Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in a hot springs. Images of these monkeys have even been printed in the National Geographic Magazine.

Travel by Train

Nagano > Matsumoto

Limited Express (Reserved)

Matsumoto Castle (Castle): Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's premier castles. "Premier" means that it is one of only three "Original" castles still standing in Japan, the other two being Himeji and Kumamoto. The "Main Keep" maintains its original wood and external stonework.

Ukiyo-e Museum (Museum): Established in 1982 by the family "Sakai", the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is a privately owned Japanese art museum in Matsumoto City. The museum specializes in Japanese woodblock prints and is well known internationally as "The" museum for wood block art.

About the Guide

Brent is an American, Colorado native, who has lived in Japan for a total of over 15 years. He speaks fluent Japanese and has travelled all over Japan. Brent is also a professional entertainer in Japan (entertaining the Japanese) and has visited most every city in Japan including it's hotels, resorts, hot springs, amusement parks, castles, temples, etc. and has hob-knobbed with some of Japan's most famous celebrities.