Nagano Snow Monkey & Snowshoe Hiking Tour

Monkeys in a hot spring, then a forest only winter opens up

A 9-hour winter tour in Nagano combines wild monkey observation at Snow Monkey Park with snowshoe hiking through Togakushi Shrine's snow-covered forest. A licensed guide leads both halves of the day, providing snowshoes and poles. You choose between morning or afternoon departure times, and the monkey park admission fee is optional at checkout. Moderate fitness required.

The experience

The morning starts at Snow Monkey Park, where you watch Japanese macaques soak in an outdoor hot spring. Each monkey has its own behavior (some stay in the water for long stretches, others climb nearby rocks or groom each other), and you get close enough to see the details. The park sits in a mountain valley, and the contrast between the snow and the steaming water is the draw most visitors come for. Your guide, a licensed mountain trekking guide, points out the individual personalities and explains what you're seeing.

After the monkey park, you head to Togakushi Shrine in the afternoon. The shrine and its surrounding forest are buried under heavy snow in winter, and that's when snowshoeing becomes the only way to reach the undisturbed areas deeper in. The beech forest is dense and quiet. Frozen streams and snow-covered terrain that would be impassable on foot become walkable with snowshoes. You'll see animal tracks in the snow (deer, birds, smaller creatures), and the shrine itself emerges through the trees, its wooden structures framed by snow-laden branches. The guide leads you to spots most visitors never reach because they come when the ground is clear.

Snowshoes and poles are included, so you don't need to rent or buy them. The tour runs 9 hours total. You'll need warm clothes, a beanie, gloves, sunglasses and insulated winter boots. The guide will tell you what to bring when you book. Public transportation options are available near the meeting point. The tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Moderate fitness is the baseline.

What’s included

• Guide fee and insurance.
• snowshoes and poles.
• a licensed English or Japanese-speaking guide who is a certified mountain trekking guide.
• pickup is included.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and FridayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by しなのディスカバリー / SHINANO DISCOVERY

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine monkey watching and shrine exploration in one day: the 9-hour pace works for travelers ready for a full active outing, and snowshoeing lets you access forest areas unreachable in other seasons.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do the wild monkeys at Snow Monkey Park actually do when you're watching them?

The Japanese macaques bathe in the outdoor hot spring, climb rocks, groom each other and rest on the banks. Each monkey has distinct behavior patterns, so you'll see some stay in the water for extended periods while others move in and out. Your guide explains what you're observing and points out individual personalities.

Can I reach Togakushi Shrine's forest without snowshoes in winter?

No. The heavy snow makes most of the forest floor inaccessible on foot. Snowshoeing is what opens up the undisturbed areas and frozen terrain that would otherwise be impassable, which is why this tour only runs in winter. Those remote spots are unreachable any other season.

Are snowshoes and hiking poles included, or do I need to rent them?

Snowshoes and poles are included in the tour fee, so you don't arrange or pay for them separately. You just bring appropriate winter clothing and boots.

How long does the whole tour take, and how is the day split between the two locations?

The tour runs 9 hours total. You spend the morning at Snow Monkey Park observing the monkeys, then move to Togakushi Shrine for the afternoon snowshoe hike through the forest.

What fitness level do I need for this tour?

Moderate physical fitness is required. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The snowshoeing involves walking through forest terrain on snow, and the full day is active.

Do I need to bring my own winter gear, or is anything provided?

You bring your own warm clothes, beanie, gloves, sunglasses and insulated winter boots. Snowshoes and poles are provided. The guide will confirm what to wear when you book.