Nagano Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Temple & Sake

Watch wild snow monkeys soak in a natural hot spring.

A full-day private tour of Nagano with an English-speaking guide, departing at 8:45 AM from your hotel or Nagano Train Station. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see Japanese Macaques bathing in natural hot springs, explore the 7th-century Zenkoji Temple at the heart of the city, and spend time in the historic town of Obuse. The private vehicle option includes three attractions and hotel pickup within central Nagano. The public transportation option covers two main stops and departs from Nagano Station.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Jigokudani Monkey Park2h
2. Zenkoji Temple1h

Explore Nagano's culture and nature

• Pick up from hotel or station
• Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park
• Tour Zenkoji Temple
• Explore Hokusai Museum
• Visit Obuse Town for onsen or sake

The experience

Jigokudani Monkey Park is the centerpiece of this tour: a place where wild Japanese Macaques bathe in a natural hot spring, a behavior unique to this population. The park sits in a mountain valley, and the monkeys move freely in and out of the steaming water. In winter months, they enter the bath regularly to stay warm. In warmer seasons, they're more active and unpredictable, often grooming or moving through the area instead. Either way, you're watching genuinely wild animals in their habitat, not a staged encounter.

From there, the tour moves through Nagano's cultural landmarks. Zenkoji Temple, built in the 7th century, anchors the city: the modern town of Nagano grew up around it. You'll also visit the Hokusai Museum for art lovers and spend time in Obuse, a small historic town where you can choose to experience sake or relax in a traditional onsen (hot spring). Your guide handles the logistics: if you book the private vehicle option, you visit three attractions with pickup and drop-off from selected central Nagano hotels. If you choose public transportation, you cover two main stops departing from Nagano Station. The tour runs about eight hours total.

The guide is English-speaking and the itinerary is customizable: after booking, you'll receive a form to select which attractions matter most to you and to provide the details needed for reservations or train tickets. If your option includes Tokyo train tickets, those are sent to your Tokyo hotel before you travel to Nagano. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. The park operates year-round regardless of conditions.

What’s included

• Transportation within Nagano City (public transit or private vehicle depending on your option).
• private tour with English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off (private vehicle option only, selected central Nagano hotels).
• visits to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, Hokusai Museum, and Obuse town (three attractions with private vehicle, two with public transport).

Options for this experience

4 options

Guide in English08:45

Guide in English08:45

Guide in English08:45

Guide in English08:45

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:45

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessible

Operated by Japan Awaits

Is this one for you?Choose the private vehicle option if your hotel is within central Nagano and you want the guide and driver to handle all movement between stops. Choose public transportation if you're staying near Nagano Station and prefer to navigate by train and bus with your guide. Book at least a month ahead if you want specific restaurant reservations or other venue arrangements built into your itinerary.

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Top questions

What are the snow monkeys actually doing when I visit Jigokudani Park?

Japanese Macaques bathe in the natural hot spring to regulate body temperature, especially in winter when snow covers the ground. In colder months, they enter the water regularly. In warmer seasons, they're more active and may groom or move around the area instead of bathing. They're wild animals, so their behavior isn't guaranteed to follow a script, but the park gives you access to watch them in their natural habitat.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation around Nagano, or is it included?

Transportation within Nagano City is included. If you book the private vehicle option, a guide and driver pick you up from your hotel (within a 10km radius of Nagano Station) and handle all movement between attractions. If you choose public transportation, you use train and bus to move between stops, departing from Nagano Station at the start time.

Can I add the hot spring experience, or is that separate?

A traditional onsen (hot spring) is listed as an optional activity in Obuse town. It's not included in the base tour price, so you can choose to add it when you fill out your tour form after booking.

What's the difference between the private vehicle and public transportation options?

The private vehicle option includes three attractions within Nagano City and hotel pickup and drop-off from central Nagano hotels. The public transportation option covers two main attractions and starts from Nagano Station. Both options include your English-speaking guide and run for the full day.

When should I book this tour, and what happens after I reserve it?

Book as early as possible: ideally three months ahead, or at least one month before your travel date. Within 48 hours of booking, you'll receive a Nagano Form to complete with guest information, attraction preferences, and (if applicable) your Tokyo hotel details for train ticket delivery. Complete the form at least seven days before your tour date.

Is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park accessible for wheelchairs?

Most attractions on this tour are wheelchair accessible, but Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is not. If mobility is a concern, discuss your needs when booking so your guide can adjust the itinerary to focus on the accessible attractions.