9 Snow Monkey Tours in Nagano to Build a Day Around

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide at Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, a Japanese lunch, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Kieran, Nadine, and Dylan have led recent departures. Expect a forest walk, possible winter ice, and free time at each major stop.

“We had an amazing day on this tour! The itinerary was well balanced which included a good amount of time to experience the snow monkeys. In addition, the sake tasting and the visit to the temple was also very good. The lunch was amazing and comforting. Thank you to our guide Dylan who did a great job!”

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2.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Spend a full day with an English-speaking guide exploring Zenko-ji Temple, tasting local sake, eating a Nagano-style lunch, and walking to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom, Hiroshi, and Kevin have helped make the day informative and easy to manage. Winter pickups from Hakuba are available.

“We liked everything, Luka was very friendly and helpful. The meal was one of the best we had in Japan. At the monkeys forrest was very cold, but it was a fairytale place to walk.”

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3.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · 1 day · from $151

Travel from Shinjuku to Nagano by coach, stop for beef sukiyaki at Shinshu Fruitsland, then walk about 30 minutes to Jigokudani Monkey Park. English-speaking guides such as Ichiro, Mai, and Maki help keep the long day organized. Winter departures from January 23 to March 1, 2026 also visit Kamakura snow huts.

“What a great day! Total was 12 hours. Definitely value for money. Maki was an excellent tour guide. Both driver did a great job. Snow monkeys were a highlight. Possibly could have reiterated appropriate footwear for the 40 min, plus return walk on snow and ice a little more. Lovely lunch and appreciated the igloo stop on the second half of the tour. Really enjoyed!”

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4.Hokkaido Seasonal: Lake Toya & Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 173 reviews · 1 day · from $55Best value

Travel from Sapporo to Lake Toya, Lake Hill Farm, Showa Shinzan, and Noboribetsu Jigokudani with an English or Chinese guide. Add an optional snowmobile ride, warm up with local snacks, and see steaming sulfur vents beside winter snow. Guides such as Mila, Mr. Hong, and Sunny are noted for clear explanations and helpful local tips.

“We enjoyed this trip overall. The trip to the thermal area was great although several of the paths were closed because of the weather. The snowmobile ride was very expensive, and I'm not convinced it was worth it. It was very cold and we could only go slowly. Because of the heavy snow, you couldn't see Lake Toya anyway. Our guide was very loud and spoke at high speed, barely taking a breath. She said everything in English and then Japanese with no pause between. She showed photos on her phone and we were at the back of the bus so had no way of seeing them. She did eventually…”

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5.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide and transport. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and possibly the Hokusai Museum, with time for local food, sake, or an onsen. Guides such as Hori, Mutsumi, and Fumiko have helped tailor the day to families, older visitors, and special interests.

“WeiWei was wonderful and very knowledgeable about the local towns, foods, culture and monkeys :) She was very patient as we stayed with the monkeys for over an hour taking photos and observing them. We had a great time with her, and highly suggest booking a private tour, so you can go at your own pace with the monkeys, saki tasting, and a bit more of a local's experience.”

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6.1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 9 hours · from $165

Travel from Nagano or Yudanaka to Shiga Kogen for 1.5 hours of snow play, a Japanese or Western lunch, and a guided visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Endo, Kieran, Dylan, and Jens have helped make the day easy and friendly. Bring waterproof shoes, warm layers, and traction for the icy 1.6km trail.

“It was absolutely amazing! Our tour Lyndsey was great! The whole trip was really fun and worth the money. 10/10”

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7.1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 9 hours · from $135

Travel from Nagano Station to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques roam close by, then enjoy lunch and visit cherry blossom sites chosen for peak bloom. English-speaking guides such as Dai, Kevin, and Endo keep the day moving and explain the region. Expect a long walk to the park and no guarantee of monkeys in the hot spring.

“It was an amazing day. Monkeys, blossoms and the most incredible lunch. Exceeded expectations!”

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8.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Sake Brewery. The day includes park entry, lunch, temple guiding, and sake tasting. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led past departures, and winter boots are essential for the icy 1.6 km forest walk.

“Great day out with a fantastic guide and safe driver. Lunch was very tasty too! The guide was very knowledgeable and shared information in an easy going manner.”

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9.Nagano Spring: 1-Day Cherry Blossoms & Snow Monkeys Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $150

Spend nine hours with an English-speaking guide such as Joy, Joyce, or Endo, watching Japanese macaques at Jigokudani, eating lunch nearby, then visiting the best available northern Nagano cherry blossom spots. Park entry, lunch, and transport from Nagano Station are included. Blossoms are seasonal, and the final stop changes with bloom conditions.

“Endo is knowledgeable, had wonderful energy and very organized! I recommend going during cooler climates to see the monkeys bathing.”

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