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‘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
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.
Options
Start from Kanbayashi Area
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 Shibu Onsen
Meeting Point Shibu Onsen: The meetup point is in front of the Shibu Onsen Visitor Centre at 10:25
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
Reviews
79 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Super convenient to stay...
Desiree S,
Apr 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Super convenient to stay by the Nagano station and join this tour. Great guide and well organized snow play, lunch, monkey hike and scenery. Very comfy van.
Brilliant - a must do tour
EdwardF615,
Apr 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely brilliant. Tour guide (who was fantastic and filled us in all day long) met us at the designated point (in our case Nagano station) Enjoyed the mini bus ride to the snow fields (tour guide commentary all the way) and were lucky enough that it was snowing and the road was covered in snow. (It was a bit like a blizzard which was a bonus) Tour guide had pre arranged a room to lock our stuff in and put on some snow shoes and other things. Second part of the tour was to see the snow monkeys, we were lucky again as they came down the mountain and shared the hot pool with people. The walk in and out to the hot springs was a little challenging (1.8kms each way) on a track that has some slippery sections. We are in our early seventies so took our time and the tour guide remained close by) so glad we booked this tour
Endo san was very lovely....
Ebe C,
Mar 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Endo san was very lovely. Not only that he taught us how to use various sledging equipment, he often volunteered to take photos for us. He provided interesting fun facts about the area and looked after everyone well on the tour. Arigatougozaimashita Sensei. 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
Snow monkeys and Shinga Kogen
DayTrip706045,
Mar 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day and highly recommend tour. Guide (Jens) was very helpful and fun and answered all our questions. The tour was a small group on small bus and for us was less crowded and enjoyable.
A complete 1 day tour to experience everything Nagano has to offer
Edward M,
Mar 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour really highlight everything in Nagano. Stsrting from the pristine clean white snow, the acitivity and finaly the Snow Monkeys. Our tour guide has an amazing experience, energy and all the insight of the local. This is where you can experience the winter wonderland while enjoying the scenery. The snow monkey is also one of the highlight of the tour. The bus is comfortable, the guide (Jens) is amazing and everything is perfect. Very highly recommended for everyone.
Great tour
A4281UAdanf,
Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Snow Monkey tour was fantastic. Joyce is an amazing tour guide with a lot of knowledge of Nagano and Japan. We especially loved the snow play which is great for kids. Thank you for giving us a memorable holiday.
Quick Taste of a Nagano Snow Day
U3237IYalexg,
Feb 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took a day trip from Tokyo, traveling via the bullet train to Nagano. Upon arrival, I had trouble finding the tour bus at the station, but the staff called to help me navigate—they somehow knew I was feeling a bit lost. We faced near-blizzard conditions which required last-minute changes to our itinerary. Instead of diminishing our experience, the company went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic day, even upgrading certain aspects of the tour at no additional cost. As the snow eased, we were able to visit the ski resort and enjoy time with the monkeys at the hot springs. Our guide Shawn did an exceptional job managing all the unexpected changes throughout the day. Overall, the customer service was excellent, turning what could have been a disappointing day into a memorable time.
An enjoyable & worry-free experiences!
X5952GIjessicaw,
Feb 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best decisions I made was booking this experience on Klook. The tour guide, Shawn, was amazing; the tour mates were awesome; the food was delicious; and the experiences were remarkable
Convenient and easy
Dreamer08174263538,
Feb 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was fantastic. Very convenient and easy. We do not want the hassle and stress of getting on the transport and buses and queueing to get entrance tickets.. We were with a small group and a small bus. Kai the guide was great, very helpful and friendly.
Great fun seeing the Monkey Onsen and at Shiga Kogen
jjjackyyyy,
Feb 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The snow monkeys were so cute. The snow Mountain View was stunning. We had a lot of fun at the Shiga Kogen, definitely will revisit for more snow activities! Our tour guide was great, she really took care of us!
From ¥28,000
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Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)