Jigokudani Monkey Park tour from Nagano: see snow monkeys bathe

Stand at Hell Valley and watch monkeys warm themselves in steaming water

A guided tour of Jigokudani Monkey Park near Nagano takes you to where hundreds of snow monkeys bathe in mountain hot springs to survive winter cold. The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, round-trip bus tickets from Yudanaka station, and a free foot spa after the hike. Groups stay small—no more than eight people—and the walk covers mountain paths at 850 meters altitude, so wear shoes you can move in and pack light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

• Start tour from station
• Visit tourist information center
• See Jigokudani Fountain
• Explore Jigokudani Yaen Koen monkey park
• Enjoy coffee or apple pie at café
• Relax at foot spa

The Experience

You arrive at Yudanaka station and meet your guide, who handles the bus tickets and leads you up the mountain paths toward Jigokudani—"Hell Valley" in Japanese, named for the steep cliffs and steam rising from the springs. The walk takes you through forest and past the Jigokudani Fountain, a natural hot spring geyser that shoots up to 20 meters high and is designated a national natural monument. The whole route is about three hours from station to station, and the guide sets the pace so you can stop and watch the monkeys without rushing.

At the park itself, buried in snow for a third of the year, you stand at the edge of the hot springs and watch the monkeys soak. They bathe only in winter to fight the cold; in warm months they stay on the mountainside lazing or playing. The guide explains their behavior and points out family groups, young monkeys, and the hierarchy that shapes how they use the springs. You are not behind a barrier or in a vehicle—you are on the ground where they are, close enough to see them move and react, but the monkeys ignore visitors and stay focused on the water.

On the way back down, you stop at a small café if you want coffee or apple pie to take with you. At Yudanaka station before your train, there is a free foot spa—called ashi-yu in Japanese—where you can soak your feet in thermal water while you wait. It is simple and costs nothing, and after a day on the mountain paths, it is the kind of small thing that makes the journey feel complete.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• round-trip bus tickets from Yudanaka station.
• all fees and taxes.
• free foot spa at Yudanaka station after the tour.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip Designer Inc.

Is this one for you?If you are staying in Nagano without a car, this tour solves the transport problem—the guide meets you at Yudanaka station and handles the bus tickets and the route, so you step off the train and walk straight into the mountains. The small group size and fixed schedule mean the day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

What time of year do the snow monkeys actually soak in the hot springs?

The monkeys bathe only in winter to protect themselves from severe cold. In the warm season they stay on the nearby mountain and forest, lazing or playing instead of soaking in the springs.

How far is the walk from Yudanaka station to Jigokudani Monkey Park?

The tour covers mountain paths at an altitude of 850 meters, and the whole experience from station to station takes about three hours with your guide setting the pace and stopping to watch the monkeys.

Is there a guide who speaks English on this tour?

Yes, a professional guide leads the tour in English and explains the monkeys' behavior, family groups, and how they use the hot springs throughout the day.

What is the Jigokudani Fountain and where is it on the route?

Jigokudani Fountain is a natural hot spring geyser that shoots up to 20 meters high and is designated a national natural monument. You pass it on the walk up the mountain toward the monkey park.

How many people go on this tour at once?

Groups stay small, with a maximum of eight people per booking, so you have room to move and watch the monkeys without crowding.

What should I bring and wear for this tour?

Wear shoes that are easy to walk in because you will be on mountain paths, and pack light—do not bring heavy baggage. The walk is moderate and takes about three hours total, so comfortable footwear matters more than anything else.