Witness the magic of wild macaques bathing in hot springs and warm your spirit with premium local sake tasting
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Hand-picked experiences loved by thousands of travelers
Explore Zenko-ji Temple and the famous Snow Monkey Park with sake tasting in one day.
Discover Nagano's wild macaques, Hokusai's art, and local sake in this premium small-group tour.
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All the details about your upcoming adventure in one place
Immerse yourself in the winter magic of Nagano with a comprehensive tour that combines Japan's most unique wildlife encounter with its rich cultural heritage. These full-day excursions take you deep into the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park to the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs to escape the cold. Beyond the wildlife, you'll explore the historic Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist sites, and indulge in the region's celebrated sake culture. Nagano's pristine water and high-quality rice make it a premier destination for sake production, and these tours offer guided tastings at historic breweries, providing a perfect warming contrast to the snowy outdoors.
We exclusively partner with top-rated Nagano operators like Snow Monkey Resorts to ensure safety and quality
Browse over 1,000 authentic reviews from travelers who have experienced these specific tours
We select tours that perfectly balance the Monkey Park hike with cultural experiences like Zenko-ji and sake tasting
Secure your spot immediately for these high-demand winter experiences, especially during peak season
Enjoy intimate tour sizes that allow for better interaction with guides and a more personal experience
Skip the complex public transport planning with included transportation from Nagano Station
Winter (Dec-Mar) for snow scenes|Spring (Apr-May) for cherry blossoms and baby monkeys|Autumn (Oct-Nov) for foliage
Waterproof snow boots with grip|Thermal base layers|Down jacket or heavy coat|Waterproof outer shell|Warm gloves and beanie|Sunglasses for snow glare
Zenko-ji was founded in the 7th century, before Nagano city existed|Jigokudani park was established in 1964 to protect the monkeys from farmers
Full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before start time|No refund for cancellations within 24 hours|Weather-related cancellations strictly at operator discretion
Share your experience: #snowmonkeys #nagano #japantravel #jigokudani #zenkoji #sake #visitjapan
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Real experiences from real travelers
Seeing the monkeys in the snow was magical. The walk was beautiful, and our guide Ken made the history of Zenko-ji come alive. The sake tasting was the perfect end to a cold day!
Logistics were perfect. The lunch was delicious soba noodles. Be prepared for the walk, it was slippery but worth it. The sake brewery tour was very informative.
The monkeys were adorable! Just make sure to wear boots with grip. The guide provided crampons which helped. Loved the sake tasting.
A well-balanced tour. The guide spoke excellent English. The monkey park is unique, and the temple is majestic. Highly recommended.
We booked the tour from Nozawa Onsen. It was seamless. The monkeys were right next to us! The sake was smooth and tasty.
Covered a lot of ground in one day. The bus ride was comfortable. Lunch was a bit rushed but tasty. The monkeys were the star of the show.
It was snowing heavily which made it even better. The hot sake at the end was much needed. A fantastic day out.
Our guide Yumi was fantastic. She knew exactly where the monkeys would be and took great photos for us. The temple history was fascinating.
Everything you need to know for your journey
The monkeys are present year-round, but they are most likely to be bathing in the hot springs during the snowy months of December through March. This is when the 'snow monkey' experience is most iconic.
The walk is approximately 1.6km (1 mile) each way on a forest trail. It takes about 25-40 minutes. The path is mostly flat but includes some stairs and inclines. In winter, it is snowy and icy, so good balance and footwear are required.
Yes, most full-day tours include a Japanese set lunch, typically featuring local specialties like Shinshu soba, tempura, or rice dishes.
Dress in warm, waterproof layers. Wear sturdy snow boots with good grip. The temperature is often below freezing. Gloves, hats, and scarves are essential.
While they live in the park year-round, they bathe to stay warm. On warmer days or in summer, they may not enter the water but will still be visible playing and foraging in the park.
No, absolutely not. These are wild animals. For your safety and theirs, you must maintain a distance of 1-2 meters, avoid eye contact, and never attempt to touch or feed them.
Yes, for children who can handle the walk and cold. However, strollers cannot be used on the trail, so carriers are necessary for very young children.
Yes, most restaurants used for the tour lunch can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets if requested in advance during booking.
No, these tours typically start and end at Nagano Station. You will need to take the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Nagano (approx. 90 mins) to join the tour.
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