Snow Monkey Park and Togakushi Shrine tour from Nagano

Macaques soak in natural hot springs while you watch from the forest edge.

A full-day guided tour from Nagano Station combines two of the region's most visited sites: Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques bathe in a natural hot spring, and Togakushi Shrine, a 1,000-year-old complex set among towering cedar trees. The tour includes a 1.6 km forest walk to the monkey park, a Japanese-style lunch, guided exploration of Togakushi's middle shrine and its spiritual history, and a walk down the cedar-lined trail toward the inner shrine. An English-speaking guide leads throughout. Transportation, park entry, and lunch are all included. Winter conditions (December through March) mean snow and ice on the trails, and the path to the innermost shrine closes seasonally.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Snow Monkey Park and Togakushi Shrine

• Walk 30-45 minutes to Snow Monkey Park
• Watch macaques bathing in hot spring
• Explore Togakushi middle shrine
• Walk trail to Togakushi inner shrine
• See ancient cedar trees along trail

The experience

Togakushi Shrine sits at the heart of this tour, but the day starts at the Snow Monkey Park. From Nagano Station, your guide and group travel to Jigokudani, where a 1.6 km forest trail descends through the woods to the park itself. The macaques, wild Japanese monkeys, gather at a natural hot spring fed by geothermal water, and they bathe there year-round. Winter is peak season for seeing them soak. In warmer months they spend more time playing or eating in the water. There's no guarantee which monkeys will appear on any given day, since they're wild animals, but the park exists specifically because of this behavior.

After the monkey park, lunch is a Japanese-style meal at a local restaurant before the group moves to Togakushi. At the middle shrine (Chusha), your guide explains the history of the five-shrine complex and the Shinto traditions woven through it. Then comes the walk to the inner shrine (Okusha): a forest path lined with ancient cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old, that leads to a red gate called the Zuijinmon. In winter, snow and ice close the path beyond the gate, so you'll see the cedars and the gate itself but won't reach the innermost shrine. From mid-December through mid-April, the trails are slippery and often icy. Rental boots and crampons are available near the monkey park, and temperatures can drop to -10°C.

The full day runs about eight and a half hours from start to finish. Transportation shifts depending on group size and season: sometimes a microbus, sometimes a larger coach, occasionally a train. All of it is arranged. You meet at Nagano Station and return there at the end. The walking is substantial: 1.6 km each way through forest to the monkey park, and 2 km each way on the Togakushi trail, both on terrain that can be muddy, slippery, or icy depending on weather. Wear sturdy boots and check the forecast before you go.

What’s included

• Guided tour of Snow Monkey Park with a 1.6 km forest walk.
• guided exploration of Togakushi Shrine's middle shrine and the cedar-lined trail toward the inner shrine.
• Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant.
• park entry fee.
• transportation from Nagano Station to both sites and between activities.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:15

Book up toStart time

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

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

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small to mid-sized groups who can handle sustained walking on forest trails and don't mind unpredictable wildlife sightings. The fixed itinerary and group pace mean you move through both sites with a guide rather than exploring at your own speed, and the winter season (December through March) brings cold temperatures and closed sections of the Togakushi trail. Book for warmer months if you want to reach the innermost shrine.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Can I see the monkeys bathing in the hot spring when I visit?

Macaques bathe in the natural hot spring year-round, and winter is the most reliable season for seeing them soak. In spring through autumn they spend more time playing or eating in the water. Since they're wild animals, there's no guarantee which monkeys will appear on any given day, and a few days each year the monkeys don't come down to the park at all.

What's the walk to the Snow Monkey Park like?

The forest trail to Jigokudani Monkey Park is 1.6 km and takes about 30 to 45 minutes with your guide. The path can be muddy, slippery, or icy depending on the season and weather, so wear appropriate boots and check conditions before you start.

Can I walk all the way to the inner shrine at Togakushi?

The cedar-lined trail to the Okusha (inner shrine) closes from around late November through mid-April due to snow and ice. During winter, you'll see the Zuijinmon red gate and the ancient cedar trees, but won't walk beyond that point. Outside winter months, the full 2 km walk to the inner shrine is open.

What do I need to bring for winter conditions?

From mid-December through early March, temperatures can drop below 0°C and as low as -10°C. Wear suitable clothing for cold weather, sturdy boots or hiking shoes, and bring an umbrella or rain coat. Rental boots and crampons (metal spikes for your shoes) are available near the monkey park if you need them.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for travelers with mobility limitations. Both the forest trail to the monkey park and the Togakushi shrine paths involve significant walking on uneven, potentially slippery terrain. If you have concerns about your ability to join, contact the operator before booking.