1-Day Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour marks the midpoint of winter and illuminates Nagano’s ancient heart! Including an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this tour brings warmth and light into the midst of winter.

This tour begins at Nagano Station, from where you will be transported to the Jigokudani Monkey Park before returning to Nagano City for a warming winter dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, before being guided around the Zenko-ji Temple precinct in the beauty and tranquility of its annual Tomyo Lantern Festival. All led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to experience the best of Nagano in winter.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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

Dinner

English-speaking guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Entry tickets to the Snow Monkey Park

Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets

Accommodation

Additional food, snacks & drinks

What To Expect

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Enjoy observing the famous monkeys in their winter habitat. With no barriers between you and the monkeys, this is a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will be on-hand to explain just what makes these creatures so unique, while also allowing plenty of free-time to enjoy for yourself.

2 hours • Admission Included

Cap the tour off with a multi-course dinner at one of Nagano City's most popular restaurants, Monzen Terrace Enya. Dinner includes an appetizers, salad, soup, a main, dessert and more!

1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Group Tour from Nagano Station

Meeting Point: The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates.

Group Tour from Hakuba Happo

Meeting Point: Please wait inside the bus terminal and be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

Group Tour from Hakuba Wadano

Meeting Point: Please wait at the entrance of the Hakuba Tokyu Hotel Wadano

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

worth
terrytA9820RW,
Feb 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What more can i say other than you like to see snow? Like to see monkeys playing around in the snow? Paired with nice food and sake to finish. Do this tour
Fantastic experience with a fantastic company!
LyceTherece,
Apr 5, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
AMAZING Valentine's Day! Our guide (Peter, I believe) was absolutely fantastic, offering information, fun facts and history at every turn. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful, and it was, despite abnormally warm weather keeping the monkeys away from the onsen, and COVID precautions causing an early end to the lantern festival. Our guide was super knowledgeable and helpful, and went above and beyond to provide a memorable tour for us all. He was the epitome of the hospitality and kindness that I love so much about Japan!
Great day out with an excellent tour operator
PJDG,
Feb 16, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was great, well run, and punctual. Peter (our tour guide) struck a perfect balance between explaining the area to us and giving us many interesting facts, while at the same time allowing us to explore at our own leisure. They also accommodated our dietary requirements with no fuss, which is unusual in Japan! We would definitely use Snow Monkeys again - they were professional, friendly, and super helpful the whole way through our trip.
Amazing experience
Escape639724,
Mar 7, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A wonderful day filled with nature, food, sake tasting and spirituality. Seeing those snow monkeys was the highlight. The organized lunch was beautifully presented and delicious. The temple visit was interesting and full of history. The day was concluded with sake tasting. David and Kieran are excellent and knowledgeable guides.
Perfect Day!
Suzannu2020,
Feb 12, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was amazing! #1-Every meal catered to my gluten free needs, and they were prepared ahead of time. We had a perfect day with a little snow, but the monkeys were so active. Not that many in the hot spring because they kept running around at our feet. No worries- they acted like we weren't even there. The trail was a bit slippery so bring good boots, or rent them (like I did) at the base of the trail. Keiron was an amazing guide giving lots of history on each part of the tour, plus tips for additional things to do in Japan. I did arrive to Nagano early and went to the Temple in the day as well, not part of the tour. I'm glad I did as it was amazing to see the day and night pictures, as added below. I made a day trip from Tokyo. It was a long day, but perfect and I would do it again in a heartbeat.