Nagano Winter Tour from Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys & Sake

Eight hours, three Nagano landmarks, and monkeys in a hot spring

A full-day guided tour from Nozawa Onsen through Nagano's winter attractions: start at Jigokudani Monkey Park to watch the world's only hot-spring-bathing monkeys in close proximity along a forest trail, then move to Zenko-ji Temple (one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist sites) with a guide explaining its 1,400-year history. Lunch at a local restaurant and a sake tasting round out the day. An English-speaking guide leads the tour. You choose your departure point at checkout (Chuo Bus Terminal or Nozawa Grand Hotel), and optional entry to Zenko-ji's inner sanctuary is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jigokudani Monkey Park2h · entry included
2. Zenkoji Temple1h 30m

Explore Nagano's highlights in winter

• Walk to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
• Observe hot spring-bathing monkeys
• Return walk from monkey park
• Enjoy winter lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN
• Visit Zenko-ji Temple and guided tour
• Explore Zenko-ji Temple independently
• Participate in sake tasting experience

The experience

The day starts at Jigokudani Monkey Park, established in 1964 and home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs. There are no barriers between you and the monkeys (they're calm and accustomed to visitors), so you'll watch them soak, wrestle, groom each other and move freely around the park. Your guide introduces what makes them unique while you explore at your own pace. The walk in and out follows a 1.6-kilometer forest trail, taking about 35 minutes each way in winter conditions. The operator aims to give you roughly an hour in the park itself, though this depends on your pace and the snow and ice on the path. Wear sturdy boots or shoes rated for winter terrain.

After the monkey park, you'll drive about five minutes to Japanese Dining GOEN for a warming lunch. The restaurant offers rice bowls: oyakadon (chicken and egg), kaisen (seafood), tempura, served with hot soba noodles and other Japanese and Western favorites. Then comes Zenko-ji Temple, a registered National Treasure and the spiritual heart of Nagano. Your guide walks you through the temple precinct, unlocking stories from its near-1,400-year history full of legend and myth, then leaves time for you to explore on your own. The tour wraps with a guided sake tasting at a local brewery. Nagano is Japan's second-largest sake producer, and non-alcoholic options are available if you prefer.

Transport from Nozawa Onsen (or Chuo Bus Terminal, depending on which option you book) and all listed destinations is included, along with the monkey park entry ticket and the temple guide. The tour is scheduled to end by 18:00, though winter weather and road conditions can affect the final time. The forest trail to the monkey park is unsealed and involves a reasonable amount of walking, so moderate fitness and appropriate winter clothing are necessary. The monkeys are wild animals, so while they're common in the hot spring during winter, there's no guarantee they'll be in the water on any given day.

What’s included

• Pickup and return transport from Nozawa Onsen (Chuo Bus Terminal or Nozawa Grand Hotel).
• Jigokudani Monkey Park entry ticket.
• guided tour of Zenko-ji Temple.
• lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN.
• guided sake tasting with non-alcoholic options available.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure from Nozawa Grand HotelGuide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 08:50Meeting point: at Nozawa Grand Hotel, 8888 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan

Departure from Chuo Bus TerminalGuide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 09:00Meeting point: at Chuo Terminal, Prefectural Route 38, Toyosato, Nozawaonsen Village, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture 389-2502, Japan

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:50 and 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

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

GroupUp to 44

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

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

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see the snow monkeys in their natural habitat during winter (that's when they're most active in the hot spring), and you're comfortable with a 1.6-kilometer forest walk on snow and ice. The fixed itinerary and included transport from Nozawa Onsen mean you don't arrange separate visits to each site. Everything connects in a single day.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

42 verified traveler reviews

5 ★41

4 ★1

3 ★0

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's the walk like to reach the monkeys at Jigokudani?

The trail into Jigokudani Monkey Park is 1.6 kilometers (about 1 mile) each way along an unsealed forest path, taking roughly 35 minutes in each direction during winter. Snow and ice are common from mid-December through early April, so sturdy winter boots or shoes are essential. Rental boots and crampons are available nearby if needed.

Will I definitely see monkeys bathing in the hot spring?

Monkeys bathe in the hot spring most commonly during winter, which is when this tour runs. However, they are wild animals and there's no guarantee they'll be in the water on any particular day. They may play, eat or rest elsewhere in the park. On rare occasions, monkeys might not come down to the park at all, arrive late or leave early.

What does the lunch include?

Lunch is served at Japanese Dining GOEN, a local restaurant about five minutes from the monkey park. You choose from rice bowl options like oyakadon (chicken and egg), kaisen (seafood) or tempura, each served with hot soba noodles and other Japanese and Western dishes. On rare occasions the restaurant may be unavailable and a comparable alternative is used instead.

Can I visit the inner sanctuary at Zenko-ji Temple?

Entry to Zenko-ji Temple's inner sanctuary is optional and available at checkout. Your guide takes you through the main temple precinct and explains its 1,400-year history as a registered National Treasure and spiritual center of Nagano, with time to explore further on your own.

Where does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

You choose your departure point when you book: either Chuo Bus Terminal or Nozawa Grand Hotel. The tour returns you to the same location by 18:00, though winter weather and road conditions may affect the exact end time.