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Led by a locally-based guide, visit the famous hot-spring bathing monkeys of Nagano.
This tour combines a visit to the monkeys with a guided tour of Zenko-ji - one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist temples.
The only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs - a naturally-learned behaviour.
They are just as reliable outside of winter and in spring, we welcome the year's babies!
Lunch varies between seasons - in winter, your choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian hot-pot along with appetisers and a dessert.

1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

By Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)
9.8 out of 10
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$254 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenko-ji Temple – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - followed by sake tasting and lunch at a nearby restaurant. It's then time to head to the Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys! All led by a locally-based English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to see the best that Nagano has to offer and get up close and personal with its most famous furry residents!

Activity location

  • Zenko-ji Temple
    • I-491 Motoyoshicho,
    • 380-0851, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal / Happo Information Center
    • Hokujō
    • 399-9301, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Start from Nagano Station
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h8h
  • English

Meeting Point Nagano Station: Nagano Station at the Information Board, directly across from the shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates at 09:35

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:35 am
Price details
NZ$253.63 x 1 AdultNZ$253.63
Total
Price is NZ$253.63
Until Sun, 24 Nov

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedHakuba shuttle service (winter only)
  • What's includedWhat's includedLunch (vegetarian and vegan options available, please try to let us know in advance)
  • What's includedWhat's includedSnow Monkey Park entry fee
  • What's includedWhat's includedEnglish-speaking guide
  • What's includedWhat's includedTransport to and between all activities/attractions
  • What's includedWhat's includedSake tasting
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedShinkansen/bullet train tickets
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedEntry to paid attractions at Zenko-ji
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAdditional food, snacks and drinks

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Specialised infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking including to and from the monkey park along a 1.6km (1 mile), unsealed forest trail. Please sure your footwear is appropriate and you are dressed accordingly for the season. The trail includes 2 different staircases, and therefore is not wheelchair accessible.
  • Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time. There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 metres between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
  • This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus or a large bus depending on the season and size of the group.
  • From mid-December until early-April the trail and park are likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing. If required, rental boots are available close to the monkey park and crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased. From mid-December until early-March please wear suitable clothing for temperatures potentially below 0°C (and as low as -10°C).
  • During the winter it is common to see the monkeys enjoying the hot spring however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
  • There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park, arrive late or leave early. While this is unlikely, it is possible and is outside of our control.
  • *Winter only* Guests in Hakuba can join this tour using our shuttle service from / to Hakuba Tokyu Hotel in Wadano and Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. This service is only available from 2023/12/15 until 2024/03/31 and may not be available every day between those dates. We apologise that bookings from / to Hakuba cannot be accepted outside of these dates. When using this shuttle service please note that your guide will join and depart the tour at Nagano Station.
  • *Winter only* This tour is scheduled to conclude at Nagano Station by 17:30 (and by 18:45 for guests joining from Hakuba in winter). However, due to weather and road conditions in winter we cannot guarantee the end time. For guests booking shinkansen tickets to travel to Tokyo after the tour in winter, we ask that you do not book any service earlier than the 17:56 Kagayaki (reservation only) or our recommendation of the 18:23 Hakutaka. For guests booking onward tickets to other destinations we also recommend doing so for times of 18:00 or later.
  • This tour includes lunch at one of Nagano's outstanding restaurants. Please note that the restaurant may change their menu from time-to-time. Please let us know of any food allergies in advance so we can arrange accordingly.
  • This tour includes ‘sake’ tasting nearby at Nishinomon Yoshinoya. You must be a minimum of 20 years of age to consume alcohol in Japan.
  • Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
  • Train schedule from Tokyo station to Nagano station| Tokyo: 07:20 –> Nagano: 08:43 by Kagayaki (reservation required*)| Tokyo: 07:24 –> Nagano: 09:14 by Asama| Tokyo: 07:52 –> Nagano: 09:30 by Hakutaka
  • Train schedule from Nagano station to Tokyo station| Nagano: 17:55 –> Tokyo: 19:20 by Kagayaki (reservation required*)| Nagano: 18:22 –> Tokyo: 20:00 by Hakutaka

Activity itinerary

Zenko-ji Temple
  • 2h
As one of the oldest, largest, and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, Zenko-ji is the spiritual heart of Nagano. The temple's near-1400 year history is full of legend and myth which your guide will help you unlock as they guide you around the temple precinct followed by free time (time-permitting).
Nishimon Yoshinoya
  • 30m
Home to a huge number of breweries, Nagano is synonymous with sake and no visit to the region is complete without delving into Japan’s most famous drink. Your guide will treat you to sake tasting and introduce you to the fascinating world of this classic Japanese drink.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
  • 2h 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Established in 1964, Nagano's world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don't worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as they walk around you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favourite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself. Please note that estimated time at the monkey park includes walking in and out along the forest trail - 1.6km each way / 25 minutes each way in summer, slightly longer in winter. We endeavour to give our guests 1 hour in the park to observe the monkeys.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESZenko-ji Temple
    • I-491 Motoyoshicho,
    • 380-0851, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEHakuba Happo Bus Terminal / Happo Information Center
    • Hokujō
    • 399-9301, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLENagano station JR Ticket Office
    • Kurita
    • 380-0921, Nagano, Nagano, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLEHakuba Tokyu Hotel
    • 4688 Hokujō
    • 399-9301, Hakuba, Nagano, Japan

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