1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
This adventurous one-day tour combines a visit to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani with morning of fun in the deep powder snow of Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest ski resort! Including lunch and led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour follows a simple equation: snow monkeys + lots more snow = big fun in Shiga Kogen!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests are required to walk in and out of the monkey park along a 1.6km / 1 mile trail. In winter, the trail and park will be affected by snow and ice. This walk should not be attempted by anyone who is mobility impaired, in a wheelchair or cannot confidently walk an extended distance over snow and ice. If you have concerns about you or a member of your group's ability to handle the conditions, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
This tour does not include skiing or snowboarding, nor is there the time to arrange your own skiing and snowboarding while at the resort.
There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park or that the monkeys leave the park early. While this is unlikely to happen, it is possible and is outside of our control.
While unlikely, should weather or road conditions make it impossible to access Shiga Kogen, we would switch the activity to a visit to Zenko-ji Temple. As we cannot confirm weather conditions until the day of the tour, we would not be able to notify guests of the change in advance.
Infants (0-5) are free of charge. (No tour meal is included. Please order foods directly from the restaurant.)
This tour is insured however as the guest, you are required to have your own travel insurance which covers snow activities including riding chairlifts and using snowdrives, snowscoots, sleds, and tubes. Please confirm that your insurance policy covers this activity prior to the tour.
The temperature in the Shiga Highlands in the winter is cold and can be minus 5 – 10 degrees. Dress in warm, waterproof clothing and boots for snow activities. Snow outfits (snow jackets, pants, gloves, snow boots) are available to rent for ¥500 each. Crampons may be purchased at Snow Monkey Park, if needed.
Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
You will be transported to the central area of Shiga Kogen for a morning of snow fun, with an activity area sectioned-off for you to enjoy using snowscoots, snowdrives, and good old-fashioned sleds and tubes. While at the resort you will also have time for lunch a restaurant next to the ski fields - included in the price of the tour.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Meet these truly curious creatures and have time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. 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 endeavor to give our guests 1 hour in the park to observe the monkeys.
What‘s Included
Snow activity fees in Shiga Kogen
Lunch
English-speaking guide
Entry fee to the Snow Monkey Park
Transportation from your desired meetup point to all tour destinations and back.
Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets to / from Nagano
Rental clothing including snow jackets, pants, and boots
Additional snacks, food & drinks
Accommodation
Skiing or snowboarding at Shiga Kogen
Options
Start from Yudanaka Station
Meeting Point: Yudanaka Stn: Please wait on or near the stairs of Yudanaka Station on the side with ticket gates and office at 9:50
Starting point:
Yudanaka Station, Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
Start from Nagano Station
Meeting Point Nagano Station: In front of the Information Board at 08:45 Nagano Station across the Shinkansen ticket gates.
Starting point:
Nagano Station, Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan
Start from Shibu Onsen
Meeting Point Shibu Onsen: The meetup point is in front of the Shibu Onsen Visitor Centre at 10:25
Start from Kanbayashi Area
Reviews
99 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome Tour!
ellietS7018MV,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Can’t recommend this tour enough. Jake was awesome! He was super friendly and managed to answer all 5000 of my partners questions. Lunch was fantastic and the park was beautiful. Definitely worth getting some shoe spikes if you go in winter (you can buy them before you go in for 1300 yen). Also worth getting some apple pie!
Great day trip
S5610QSsarahh,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So worth the time to go see the snow monkeys, magic! Kei was a wonderful tour guide with lots of great recommendations as well for a fun trip!
60 and first time playing in the snow!
traceyfZ1693LG,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best day ever!!! For my 60th birthday I wanted to see and play in the snow, as living in the tropics it was something I'd always longed to do. Dillon was so much fun. He made us feel young again with his enthusiasm. We played like kids in the snow. Lunch was delicious, (I couldn't eat it all) Then it was up to see the snow monkeys, they are so healthy, as they are let roam free. It snowed most of the day. My husband and I were so impressed at how well Dillon spoke Japanese. Thanks again Dillon, we will not forget this magical day. :)
Fantastic tour
407carlenep,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this tour! Hana the guide was fantastic - friendly & knowledgeable and changed the days activities to suit us. Lunch was delicious. And a big thanks to the wonderful driver also.
Snowy heaven
MariaJoseVillanueva,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful snowy day in a wonderful scenery, the ski resort was very amiable for muy kids and the walk to de snow monkeys was fantastic. Hiroshi was great.
Fantastic day tour to snow monkey park
Quest65548586658,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pleasant experience with our amazing tour guide Hiroshi. There were only 2 others with our tour group making it a small group of 4. It felt like a private tour. Hiroshi spoke very good English and provided us with lots of interesting information about Nagano and the snow monkey park. The lunch was a delicious beef hotpot at a semi-private area of the restaurant. Hiroshi had organised our snow monkey park tickets beforehand so we did not have to queue in the line. I would highly recommend joining the tour if you want a stress free day to focus on enjoying the activities and sights.
What to do especially with children
186saadb,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this very well organized experience We were picked up from our hotel in nagano and dropped off afterwards with our suitcases at our onsen in nozawa onsen It was very convenient
Great tour to see the snow monkeys
saraisalp,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience to see the monkeys. We recommend this tour for families with children Kei was very nice and friendly, and gave us some great information. Also, the food was excellent!
Great for families.
Q5238BJjeremyb,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great time. Lunch was delicious, and the guide was great. My 5 year old had "the best day of her life." Highly recommend
Dillon is a legend
MatthewGraham L,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you like animals and the outdoors you will love this day trip. We were fortunate to have perfect weather
Related Experiences
Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)