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

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Overview

Available languages

English

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‘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

What To Expect

1

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).

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
2

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

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

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

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 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

4.89

871 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

796
59
11
1
4
  • Excellent tour-make time to visit the Monkeys and Nagano

    Laura S,

    Sep 27, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    This was an excellent tour. Our tour guide Kay did a great job meeting the needs of the tour guests and accommodating interests. They found out the monkeys were out and we went there first. There were tons of monkeys even though it was off season (Sept). So many babies. The monkeys were great, super chill and cleaning themselves. Not many in the hot springs themselves but that was alright. We had tons of time to explore and did not feel rushed at all. You can also get a discount in the souvenir gift store near the parking lot with your tour pass. The meal was excellent (hot pot). They even accommodated my vegetarian needs. We made an impromptu stop for apples and grapes-a local favorite. We got a tour of an area of Nagano and the Temple with time to wander. Excellent way to see the monkeys and a bit of Nagano.

  • A lovely day in Nagano

    Samantha C,

    Sep 22, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    This was a wonderful day, the Temple was beautiful, our guide Jens was very kind, and very informative, he answered all our random questions, shared important information, and made recommendations for other things of interest. The sake tasting was delicious, and we learned a little about the process of making sake, the the resturant where we had lunch was greag the food was absolutely amazing, the woman who waited on us was very nice. The walk up to the snow monkey park was stunnign and peaceful, there are two spots that are a little steep but overall the incline is pretty subtle. We did only get to see two monkeys hanging out on the roof of the entrance but animals are animals and do what they want and the overall experience was wonderful.

  • Amazing.

    Ludwing M,

    Sep 17, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Super recommended, only it's not always safe for the monkeys to come down. Even so, the whole tour is very nice.

  • The tour guide Mr. Endo...

    Rashaan L,

    Aug 5, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    The tour guide Mr. Endo was great. He was knowledgeable and allowed time for us to have free time at each site. Lunch was also incredible!

  • Super

    pascal S,

    Aug 5, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Very nice tour with a lot of explanations about visits. The lunch was very good, same for sake visit and also temple visit. Super guide

From ¥22,900

4.89
871 reviews
Check availability

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