Nagano Cherry Blossoms & Snow Monkeys: 1-Day Guided Tour

Hot springs, monkeys, and blossoms in one morning-to-evening loop

A full-day guided tour in Nagano combining Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park (where monkeys bathe in natural hot springs with no barriers between you and them), and an afternoon of cherry blossom viewing at a location selected on the day for its condition. Includes entry, lunch at a local restaurant, English-speaking guide and transport from Nagano Station. The tour runs 9 hours, with roughly an hour at the monkey park and at least 1.5 hours among the blossoms.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snow monkeys and cherry blossoms tour

• Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
• Walk forest trail to and from park
• Lunch at nearby restaurant
• Travel to cherry blossom viewing spot
• Enjoy cherry blossom viewing for 1.5 hours

The experience

The day starts at Jigokudani Monkey Park, established in 1964 and the only place on earth where a wild troop regularly bathes in hot springs. You walk in along a forest trail (1.6 kilometers each way, about 25 minutes), and then spend roughly an hour watching the monkeys move between the water and the rocks, grooming each other, wrestling, eating. There are no barriers. Your guide explains the rules beforehand (keep 1 to 2 meters back, no touching or feeding) and introduces you to the troop's habits and personalities while you explore at your own pace. The monkeys are calm around visitors, and in spring they're often in and out of the water rather than soaking continuously, but the park itself is worth the walk regardless.

After the park closes, your guide takes you to lunch at one of two nearby restaurants (Enza Cafe or Japanese Dining GOEN, depending on availability), both serving a mixed Japanese and Western menu popular with locals. Vegetarian options are available. Then the bus heads out for the afternoon's cherry blossom viewing. The operator monitors bloom conditions across multiple sites in Nagano (some famous, some very local), and picks the best location for each tour on the day itself, so you won't know which spot until you arrive. You'll have at least 1.5 hours to wander, photograph and sit among the trees. If the blossoms haven't opened by tour day, you'll visit Zenko-ji Temple and a sake brewery instead, and you'll be notified three days ahead.

The tour ends between 5:30 and 6:30 pm depending on how far the blossoms have progressed. Transport runs from Nagano Station at the start and returns there at the end. Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets to Nagano are available as an add-on at checkout if you need them.

What’s included

• Jigokudani Monkey Park entry ticket.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• transport from Nagano Station to all stops and back.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• roughly an hour at the monkey park and at least 1.5 hours at the cherry blossom location selected for that day's bloom condition.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both snow monkeys and cherry blossoms in one day with an English-speaking guide handling all transport and site navigation for you.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

34 verified traveler reviews

5 ★31

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What are the snow monkeys actually doing when I get there?

In spring, the monkeys at Jigokudani are often playing, eating or moving in and out of the hot springs rather than soaking continuously like they do in winter. You'll watch them wrestle, groom each other endlessly and move between the rocks and water over the course of roughly an hour in the park.

Will I know which cherry blossom spot we're visiting before the tour?

No. The guide monitors bloom conditions across various locations in Nagano and selects the best one on the day of your tour, so you get peak blossoms rather than a predetermined site that may not be ready. You'll have at least 1.5 hours to explore and photograph once you arrive.

How much walking is involved at the monkey park?

The forest trail to and from Jigokudani is 1.6 kilometers each way, taking about 25 minutes per direction in summer (slightly longer in winter). Suitable shoes are essential. You'll spend roughly an hour observing the monkeys once you reach the park itself.

What if the cherry blossoms aren't blooming when I book?

If the trees aren't in bloom on your tour date, you'll visit Zenko-ji Temple and a sake brewery store instead. The operator notifies you of any change three days in advance, so you'll know before you commit to the day.

Is lunch included, and are there options for dietary preferences?

Lunch is included at either Enza Cafe or Japanese Dining GOEN, both within walking distance of the monkey park. Both serve mixed Japanese and Western menus, and vegetarian options are available at both restaurants.