Why choose this Nagano tour ?
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a morning visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys, followed by a warming winter lunch and afternoon exploration of Zenko-ji – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. Led by a locally-based English-speaking guide and including a sake tasting experience to bring the tour to an indulgent conclusion this tour is a great way to enjoy the best of Nagano in winter!
Make the most of your Nagano adventure
What makes 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake a unique experience ?
Established in 1964, Nagano’s world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don’t worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as the walk about you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favourite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself.
Please note that estimated time at the monkey park includes walking in and out along the forest trail – 1.6km each way / 35-minutes each way in winter. We endeavour to give our guests 1 hour in the park to observe the monkeys however this depends on your pace in and out of the park. Please also note that during winter the trail and park will be affected by snow and ice so please ensure you wear good quality shoes or boots.
The tour includes a warming winter lunch at ‘Japanese Dining GOEN’. Located around 5 minutes drive from the monkey park, GOEN serves a tasty selection of Japanese and Western favourites with your choice of different rice bowls such as ‘oyakadon’ (chicken and egg), ‘kaisen’ (seafood) or ‘tempura’ (lightly battered and fried vegetables) with a side serve of hot ‘soba’ (buckwheat noodles) and more!
As one of the oldest, largest, and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, Zenko-ji is the spiritual heart of Nagano. A registered National Treasure, the temple’s near-1400 year history is full of legend and myth which your guide will help you unlock as they guide you around the temple precinct followed by time to explore for yourself (time-permitting).
Nagano is Japan’s second largest producer of ‘sake’, meaning no trip to the region is complete without sampling some of the local breweries. Your guide will introduce to the complex and warm world of sake with a guided tasting. Non-alcoholic options are also available.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking including to and from the monkey park along a 1.6km (1 mile), unsealed forest trail. Please sure your footwear is approriate and you are dressed accordingly for the season.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travels. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
- Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time.
- There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
- From mid-December until early-April the trail and park are likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing. If required, rental boots are available close to the monkey park and crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased. From mid-December until early-March please wear suitable clothing for temperatures potentially below 0°C (and as low as -10°C).
- During the winter it is common to see the monkeys enjoying the hot spring however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
- There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park, arrive late or leave early. While this is unlikely, it is possible and outside of our control.
- This tour includes lunch at ‘Japanese Dining GOEN’, a popular local restaurant. On rare occasions it may not be possible to use this restaurant in which case we would switch to another, comparable location. Please note that the restaurant may change their menu from time-to-time and the tour lunch may different to images shown on this page.
- This tour is scheduled to conclude at Nozawa Onsen by 18:00. However, due to weather and road conditions in winter we cannot guarantee the end time.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Lunch
- Guided ‘sake’-tasting
- Transport from / to Nozawa Onsen and all listed destinations
- Guided tour at Zenko-ji Temple
- Jigokudani Monkey Park entry ticket
Not Included
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
- Optional entrance fee to the inner sanctuary of Zenko-ji Temple
- Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
- Accommodation
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.).
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Tokyo.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 8 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.
