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The Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑, Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) offers visitors the unique experience of seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. You will start your optional self guided tour to Jigokudani Monkey Park with a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Nagano. Enjoy some free time in Nagano before checking into your overnight accommodations. After breakfast you will take the Snow Monkey Bus to the park (cost not included) and then it is approximately a 30-45 minute peaceful forest walk to the Snow Monkey viewing area. The park has one man-made pool around which the monkeys gather. Visitors will likely already encounter monkeys along the path to the pool. The monkeys live in large social groups, and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, the monkeys can be observed from very close and almost completely ignore their human guests. Naturally, it is prohibited to touch or feed the monkeys. Although the park is open all year round, the bathing monkeys are particularly photogenic when the area is covered in snow. There is usually snow in the region from December to March, and the best timing for a visit is January and February. After your tour of the Snow Monkey Park, you will return by bus (cost not included) to Nagano where you will then catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. We will provide a detailed self guided itinerary. We will arrange your Shinkansen tickets but the local busses and entry fee can not be prepaid and there will be around $35 USD per person out of pocket not including lunch.
Please Note: The Snow Monkey Park decides daily on whether or not it will open. We suggest you check with The Nagano Tourist Information Office(located in Nagano Station) before going to the snow monkey park to make sure it is open. In the event that the snow monkey park is closed, this office would be a great resource for other touring options
Nagano’s Zenkoji Temple (善光寺, Zenkōji) is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. It was founded in the 7th century and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduced in the 6th century.
Located a short walk from Zenkoji Temple, the Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum (長野県信濃美術館, Nagano-ken Shinano Bijutsukan) stages rotating exhibitions of fine art with different themes. The respective art works are done mostly by artists who were born in or related to Nagano Prefecture or depict beautiful local scenery.
Oyaki are one of Nagano’s traditional foods and most delicious snacks. Like Soba, they have been an important part of local cuisine for thousands of years. In rice-scarce Nagano, these flour buns filled with pickles and veggies were an important source of carbs and protein. Now, they’re healthy and delicious snacks that can be found in specialty shops and food stalls throughout Nagano prefecture.
Soba (そば) noodles are noodles made of buckwheat flour, roughly as thick as spaghetti, and prepared in various hot and cold dishes. Soba dishes are very popular and easily available nationwide. As 100% buckwheat soba noodles tend to be brittle, many restaurants add some wheat flour when preparing their noodles. Depending on the shop, the percentage of buckwheat flour in soba noodles typically ranges between 40% and 100%.
Like pasta, soba noodles are available in dried form in supermarkets, but they taste best if freshly made by hand from flour and water. Soba making has long been a popular hands-on activity for domestic and international travelers. The activity is offered in Nagano.
Tokyo
Travel Time: 1.5 Hours
With JR Rail Pass: $150 USD per person based on double occupancy
Without JR Rail Pass: $300 USD per person based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $70 USD
Upgrade to an overnight in Yudanaka Onsen for an additional $50 USD per person, based on double occupancy /$80 USD based on single occupancy
Inclusions
Train tickets from Tokyo to Nagano and Nagano to Tokyo (If not using a rail pass, we will pre-purchase the tickets.)
Suggested train schedule
Detailed itinerary and directions
Overnight at the Nagano Metropolitan Hotel (or similar) with breakfast included
Not Included
JR Rail Pass
Snow Monkey Park Admission (The Snow Monkey Park decides daily on whether or not it will open. Advance reservations are not possible)
Snow Monkey Park Bus