Snow Monkey Park & Miso Production Day Tour from Nagano
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Join this 1-day tour from Nagano, led by an English-speaking, nationally licensed guide-interpreter. Visit a historic miso brewery in Nagano Prefecture—Japan’s leading miso-producing region—and observe the traditional miso-making process. Miso is a staple of Japanese cuisine, supporting the nation's diet for centuries. The brewery you’ll visit has a history of around 300 years.
Next, explore the charming town of Obuse, known for its beautiful streets and delicious chestnuts. Enjoy free time to stroll around and sample local specialties.
In the afternoon, head to Jigokudani Monkey Park, famous for its Japanese macaques—also known as snow monkeys—that bathe in natural hot springs during the winter. The park offers a rare chance to observe these monkeys up close in every season. In spring and summer, you can delight in watching playful young monkeys and adorable newborns. Photos©Jigokudani Yaen koen Inc All Rights Reserved.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Depending on the number of participants, a sedan or taxi van may be used instead
Seats on the bus may not be designated
The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
This is a hard walking tour covering about 50 minutes of walking each way between the Shiga Kogen Roman Museum and Jigokudani Monkey Park
As Jigokudani Monkey Park is situated 850 meters above sea level, temperatures are cooler than on the plain, so please participate wearing warm clothing. Also, the walking path may be frozen and slippery if there is snow in winter. Please wear winter boots or other non-slip footwear. If it is determined by the accompanying guide that cold weather measures, etc. are insufficient, customers may be recommended to rent equipment from a rental shop near Jigokudani Monkey Park. In such cases, expenses must be shouldered by customers
Observe the Japanese macaques’ way of life and behavior that vary by the season
The sight of Japanese macaques soaking in hot springs can be seen until around March. While it may also not be seen depending on the weather or time, etc., refunds will not be issued for this reason
As monkeys are wild animals, their behavior can be unpredictable, and they cannot be fed or touched. The park may be suddenly closed due to weather or seasonal conditions, Japanese macaques’ behavior, or other reason. Please note there may also be a sudden tour cancellation. Thank you for your understanding. A full refund will be issued if the tour is canceled
Please note that we are unable to provide special support for those with trouble walking, or small children
Missing time from the tour duration will be allotted for travel time
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
What To Expect
See the manufacturing process of miso, the indispensable ingredient of miso soup, and is said to be synonymous with washoku (Japanese cuisine), which has been designated as an intangible cultural property. After the tour, experience Japan’s food culture by sampling some miso soup and amazake.
Obuse-machi
Enjoy your stroll around Obuse. Obuse is the town where renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai spent his twilight years. It is also famous for chestnuts. Relish the beautiful traditional townscape while strolling around, check out some shops featuring chestnut products, and take some time for lunch (meal charges not included in the tour).
Options
Round Trip From NAGANO
End point: Tour ends at Nagano Station.
What‘s Included
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Monkey park admission fee
Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Lunch
Fees other than those listed in Includes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sunrise sustainable tour
lygiad2026,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were lucky with the weather Had an interesting tour of the miso brewery and a superb tour of the monkey park We were lucky to see hundreds of monkeys Thank you for this earth friendly tour It was excellent
Monkey-mania!
Kevin R,Apr 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time on this tour. We took the bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano and were met at the station. We then boarded a small bus for the tour. The miso soup portion was surprisingly very interesting with a tour of a large, family-owned business. The buildings were fascinating and built in the 1800's. We then were taken to an older portion of town with many restaurants for lunch. Then to the main part--the snow monkeys. We booked this tour in April after the snows had melted. I didn't know what to expect, but it did not disappoint. First of all, there is a lot of walking to get to the monkeys. It is listed as a 50 minute walk and is over a mile. If there is snow, you are hiking through the snow on a wide trail. It is through a beautiful cedar forest. There is some uphill walking and stairs, but no one had to stop to rest. You then enter into the park and from then on, it is money-mania. There were hundreds and hundreds of them everywhere. None were in the hot springs since it was too hot outside, but they were all over. Mothers and babies. Old and young. They are oblivious to the humans and dart around people and all over the hillside. It is sort of like getting into the giant monkey cage at a zoo. But the monkeys ignore the tourists and seem focused on their own monkey-dramas. After about an hour at the park, we hiked back to the bus. There are restrooms at the monkey park and also at the parking area. We were driven back to Nagano station and said good bye to our English speaking host Humie and our nice driver. We really enjoyed this tour as it got us out of Tokyo for the day, gave us a chance to enjoy the bullet train, and let us see more of the quieter part of Japan, away from the big city. Plus so many monkeys!
Simple and friendly tour
petchpanu,Apr 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Its a simple and friendly trip. Everyone can enjoy this trip to see Nagoya city and monkey which was very beautiful. This time of the year is great time to visit Nagoya
We had a small group. Our...
Carolyn S,Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a small group. Our guide was fantastic! Very friendly and a Nagano local, gave great recommendations. The miso brewery and lunch town were small and kinda interesting. The snow monkey park is a real highlight, beautiful hike to get there and monkeys walking all around. We were there in the spring and saw babies wrestling each other.
A Day in Nagano
GabijaJP,Mar 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a great way to experience Nagano! Watching the miso-making process at the historic brewery was fascinating, and Obuse was a lovely town with delicious local treats. At Jigokudani Monkey Park, the weather was sunny, so the monkeys weren’t in the hot springs, but it was still fun to see them playing around. They were so active and adorable, especially the young ones. The tour was well-organized, and the mix of culture, food, and nature made for a memorable day. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a unique experience in Nagano!
Just Awesome
136shikhas,Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was wonderful trip and recommended to travel with JTB TOURS. it was well planned and thoroughly thought of. The tour guide was knoweledgable and well behaved.
Give it a try! You will be amazed!
281carolinak,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was AMAZING! You can understand how Miso paste is made, try it and buy from a local traditional store. Also the trip is guided by a Japanese so you can ask anything that she will try to explain it clearly in English! After some free time in Obuse City, you go to the Jigokudani Monkey Park and can challenge yourself by a roughtlhy 40 min walk through the woods until you get to the Monkey Park. It is an good experience to connect to the nature and be surrounded by the lovely monkeys! I really recommend the trip and you can go by yourself and meet a lot of people too! Also, it is very convenient because you start and finish the whole trip at the Nagano Station and enjoy this day trip with lots of joy!
Snow monkey park travel
gilbertorI8222EX,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An interesting experience to learn a little more about the artisanal production of miso. Honestly, I had no idea about the production process. On the other hand, visiting the Jigokudani Yaen-koen in the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park was a beautiful experience. The snow monkeys kindly allowed us into their space and habitat, giving us the opportunity to observe their interaction with nature and the local hot springs. A trip I highly recommend to those who treat nature and its inhabitants with kindness and respect.
Beautiful and relaxing tour in Nagano's natural/cultural wonders
564ruil,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Convenient bus trip from Nagano Station to Suzaka, where we learnt about miso production and tried fresh amazake and miso soup (both delicious!). Free time in Obuse, during which we could chose our own lunch and do some quick shopping. To top it off, we had a very relaxing afternoon at the Snow Monkey Park, with a beautiful view from the snowy mountains. Definitely recommend!
For food and nature lovers
Departurexoal,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A perfect blend of culinary delights and natural beauty! This tour was exceptional. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, answering every question with detail, and the seamless transportation took the stress out of navigating between locations. The Snow Monkey Park was the absolute highlight an easy trail leading to a tranquil sanctuary where we could observe the macaques up close in their natural habitat. An unforgettable experience!
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