Nagano Snow Monkey Tour: Jigokudani Monkeys & Lunch

Watch wild monkeys bathing in hot springs, then eat beef sukiyaki in the mountains

A full-day guided tour from Tokyo to Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture, where you walk to see wild snow monkeys in thermal water and eat a Japanese-style beef sukiyaki lunch. The tour departs from Shinjuku at 8am, includes an English guide and hotel pickup is not available. You meet at the LOVE OBJECT building near Shinjuku Station. Between late January and late February, the itinerary also includes a stop at Kamakura snow huts on the return journey.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nagano Snow Monkey Day Tour

• Meet guide at Shinjuku LOVE
• Travel to Nagano with stops
• Enjoy beef sukiyaki lunch
• Walk to Jigokudani Monkey Park
• See snow monkeys bathing
• Visit Kamakura snow huts (seasonal)
• Return to Shinjuku Tokyo

The experience

The bus leaves Shinjuku at 8am sharp, so arrive by 7:45am at the LOVE OBJECT building (a five-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station's West Exit, or two minutes from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line's Nishi-Shinjuku Station exit E7). The drive north to Jigokudani takes three and a half hours with two or three stops at service areas along the way. Your guide provides commentary during the ride, so you learn about the region before you arrive.

At 11:30am you stop for lunch at Shinshu Fruit Land, where you eat a set meal of beef sukiyaki. Pork, vegetarian with egg and dairy, or fully vegan options are available if you request them when booking. The restaurant also sells local produce and souvenirs if you want to browse after eating. Then comes the walk to Jigokudani Yaen-koen: it takes more than thirty minutes from the parking area, so wear non-slip shoes (crampons are sold onboard the bus if you need them). The monkeys here are wild animals accustomed to human presence, so you can photograph them, but do not touch them, stare directly at them, or feed them. They spend time in the thermal water, especially on colder days, though they do not stay in it constantly.

If you travel between late January and late February, the tour adds a visit to Kamakura snow huts before heading back to Tokyo. The bus returns to Shinjuku around 8pm (or 9pm on days when the Kamakura stop is included). You can buy snacks at service areas during the return journey, though these are not part of the tour cost.

What’s included

• Pickup from Shinjuku (no hotel collection).
• English-speaking guide with commentary during the bus ride.
• beef sukiyaki lunch at Shinshu Fruit Land with vegetarian and vegan options available.
• entry to Jigokudani Monkey Park.
• visit to Kamakura snow huts if traveling late January to late February.
• return transport to Shinjuku.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 45

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by H.I.S.Co., Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you speak English comfortably and want a full day organized from start to finish: the guide narrates the entire journey, the lunch is arranged, and you do not need to navigate to Jigokudani or arrange your own transport back to Tokyo. The early 8am departure and moderate thirty-minute walk to the monkeys suit travelers with at least moderate fitness. It is not recommended for those with cardiovascular or spinal issues, or for pregnant travelers.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

How long is the bus ride from Tokyo to Jigokudani Monkey Park?

The drive to Jigokudani takes up to three and a half hours, with two to three stops at service areas en route so you can stretch and use facilities.

What happens if I arrive late to the Shinjuku meeting point?

The tour departs at 8am as scheduled, and latecomers cannot join midway: no refunds are issued if you miss the departure time, so arriving by 7:45am is essential.

Can I see the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs?

Yes, at Jigokudani Yaen-koen the monkeys bathe in thermal water, especially on colder days, though they do not spend all their time in the water and are wild animals that may not be present on every visit.

What dietary options are available for the sukiyaki lunch?

The standard meal is beef sukiyaki, but you can request pork, a vegetarian option with egg and dairy, or a fully vegan plant-based meal when you book the tour.

Does the tour include a stop at Kamakura snow huts?

Kamakura snow huts are included only if you travel between late January and late February. On those dates the return to Shinjuku is around 9pm instead of 8pm.

What should I wear for the walk to see the monkeys?

Wear non-slip shoes for the walk from the parking area to Jigokudani Yaen-koen, which takes more than thirty minutes. Crampons are sold onboard the bus if you need extra grip on snow or ice.