1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenkoji 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!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized 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 meters 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 mid December until end of March and may not be available every day between those dates. We apologize 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 19:00 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. 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
Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.
Please note that it is the responsibility of each guest to secure their own way back to their specific hotel after being dropped off at one of the four possible drop off points in Hakuba during the winter period, as our large bus cannot drop off at individual accommodations.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Zenko-ji Temple
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
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 beverage. Your guide will treat you to sake tasting and introduce you to the fascinating world of this classic Japanese beverage.
What‘s Included
Hakuba shuttle service (winter only)
Lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available, please try to let us know in advance)
Snow Monkey Park entry fee
English-speaking guide
Transportation to and between all activities/attractions
Sake tasting
Shinkansen/bullet train tickets
Entry to paid attractions at Zenko-ji
Additional food, snacks and drinks
Options
Start from Nagano Station
Meeting Point Nagano Station: Nagano Station at the Information Board, directly across from the shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates at 09:35
Starting point:
Nagano Station, Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan
Start from Tsugaike bus stop
Join from Tsugaike Kogen: Join from the Tsugaikekogen Heights bus stop. Departing at 7:20 AM, our staff will be holding a Snow Monkey Resorts sign
Starting point:
Tsugaikekogen Heights, Chikuniko, Otari, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9422, Japan
Start from Hakuba Tokyu Hotel
Hakuba Tokyu Hotel: Join this tour from Hakuba Tokyu Hotel. Departing at 7:45 AM, our staff will be holding a Snow Monkey Resorts sign
Starting point:
Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, 4688 Hokujō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan
Start from Happo Bus Terminal
Happo Bus Terminal Hakuba: Join this tour from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. Departing at 7:55 AM, our staff will be holding a Snow Monkey Resorts sign
Starting point:
Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal / Happo Information Center, Japan, 399-9301 Nagano, Kitaazumi District, Hakuba, Hokujō, 大字北城八方5734-1
Start from La Vigne, Echoland
Join this tour from the bus lot next to La Vigne. Departing at 8:10 AM, our staff will be holding a Snow Monkey Resorts sign
Starting point:
HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA by Onko Chishin, 1116 3020 Hokujō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan
Start From Nagano Station
Meetup location: Nagano Station at the Information Board, directly across from the shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gates at 09:00
Starting point:
Nagano Station, Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan
Reviews
1,055 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful experience learning about Japanese culture and seeing the Snow Monkeys
Tour56469331212,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an excellent experience on this tour! Joyce and Hiroshi were excellent guides! Very knowledgeable and approachable. The tour was outstanding and quite busy! We enjoyed a tour of the temple in Nagano as well as a sake tasting. We were ready to eat at 1pm and enjoyed a hot pot (either seafood, beef or veggie) along with miso soup and tempura. It was a full meal! For the Monkey park, be ready to walk quite a bit (13,000+ steps for me total for the whole day) and bring your trax to wear over your boots in the snow to get to the snow monkeys. The walk is over a mile and is slippery and muddy. Dress warmly and make sure to stick around when the workers come to feed the monkeys! We got back to Happo bus terminal right before 6:30 PM as expected. It was a long day but there was time on the bus to rest. I would highly recommend this to anyone!
Great tour but walk is not flat
Venture554152,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great tour although the tour guides and tour material described the walk to the snow monkey area as ‘flat’. It is not a flat walk. There are many stairs to navigate and a number of inclines. I was wearing a knee brace at the time and would have appreciated a more accurate description. Thank you.
Awesome monkey & sake tour with Sijung!
Matthew S,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sijung was a great guide… a perfect balance of informations and talking throughout each section of the tour and on the bus. The monkeys are so cool. And the sake was tasty. Shane-shabu also yum! Do this tour… and if it is snowing I recommend snow boots or buy the spikes, if you don’t have any, at the entry to the monkey park for ¥1,200 (I think). It is worth it because it gets slippery.
Perfect way to see and learn about the Nagano area
Sugmar,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent day. Kevin was a superb guide. The lunch stop was outstanding. After a stunning trail walk, the snow monkeys were an amazing sight in the hot springs. The monkeys were very calm wandering amongst the crowds and going about their business. Would recommend
Snow Monkeys, Temple Tour, and Sake…does it get any better?
Jeannie O,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Dylan was fantastic! Informative, personable, authentic. He made the experience enjoyable and relaxing. We were able to enjoy the day because Dylan was a great inclusive leader that kept the whole group engaged throughout the day, keeping the pace moving but not rushed. A nice mix of scheduled stops and free exploring time!! We would welcome Dylan as a tour guide anytime.
Perfect day to meet the monkeys.
davidcO2826ZU,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A relaxing yet productive paced tour with Dylan. Perfectly informative, not too much nonsense. We got to see the temple, sake tasting, had great lunch and awesome snow monkey hike/visit. Tour was just the right length.
Snow Monkeys
lornah584,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin and Hiroshi were excellent guides- and we thoroughly enjoyed this day trip. Kevin gave brilliant insights and stories in the temple as well as the Sake tasting. Lunch was delicious! And, we enjoyed that we could see the snow monkeys at our own leisure. A really brilliant day- thank you!
Excellent tour for anyone intending to visit the temple and the monkey park
SharaAndMatthew,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was well organized and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. I'd recommend this for anyone that wants to see the temple and snow monkeys without hassle. The guides knowledge was invaluable for the visit to the temple and the transport, tickets, and direction made the trip to the snow monkeys hassle free. The pace was good to get the most out of each area, and spend a good amount of time watching the monkeys. The lunch at the restaurant just outside the park was excellent quality with sushi, hotpot, miso soup, and tempura. A nice variety of japanese foods.
Great service, great staff, one of the best tours in Japan
B4774BYandrewb,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything on this tour was fantastic from the guides, the activities, and transportation. Pickup was on time at our location TSUGAIKE, clean, comfortable us. Brett and Tom were our English speaking guides for the trip. Very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful with any questions we had. Tom was our personal guide, he was awesome! The sake tasting was informative and delicious. The temple was breathtaking, didn’t feel rushed at all, was given plenty of time to explore the grounds. The lunch that was included was in a beautiful restaurant, absolutely delicious. And what can I say about the monkeys, they were SO COOL. Got very close to them, some amazing photos. The park was busy but not outrageous. Highly recommended this tour! Enjoy!
Good experience, convenient but could do without sake tasting
AyaK0731,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We did the tour from Hakuba, which they do pickups from during the winter, which is really convenient. The tour itself was good, even with a large group. You start the day going into Nagano and visiting Zenkoji Temple, where you'll also do a sake tasting. We thought the sake tasting was gimmicky and could've lived without it - we actually would've preferred a little more time to explore the area around Zenkoji Temple given all the little shops there are. The shabu shabu lunch was quite good, before you make your way to the snow monkeys. I thought they give you more than enough time to spend in the park itself, which is appreciated so you don't feel rushed.
From ¥22,900
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Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)