Private Tour

Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

A full-day trip to Nagano’s snow monkeys and Togakushi Shrine. With a private car and guide, avoid crowds and enjoy local insights. Photos are captured and delivered after the tour.

❑ A Special Experience

Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where in winter monkeys soak in hot springs and in summer play in forests and rivers. Then continue to Togakushi, a spiritual retreat with cedar-lined paths and centuries-old shrines. You’ll avoid crowds, discover local spots, and have moments photographed as lasting gifts.

❑ Why Private?

Public transport requires hours and many transfers, while dining options are limited. With a private car and guide, travel is smooth and flexible. The day adapts to your pace, from exploring shrine trails to enjoying a relaxed lunch.

❑ A Personalized Journey

Explore with an English-speaking guide, free from crowds or fixed schedules. Local insights enrich the journey, and each special moment is captured for you to keep.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

Air-conditioned vehicle

Fuel surcharge

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Parking Fees

Admission is paid on-site, so you get the best price without extra online fees.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Snow Monkey Park (jigokudani Yaen Koen)

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, located in the mountains of Nagano, is famous for its wild Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys. These monkeys are known for their unique behavior of soaking in natural hot springs during the cold winter months, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to observe wildlife up close in their natural habitat. Experience: Visitors can enjoy a scenic hike through the forest to reach the park and witness the snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs. It's a chance to see these animals up close and observe their interactions in a stunning natural setting. *At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, visitors enjoy a 30-40-minute scenic walk through the forest to reach the viewing area. *An admission fee is required: Adults: 800 yen, Children: 400 yen. (Children under 6 years old are free of charge.)

2 hours • Admission Not Included

Togakushi Shrine

Togakushi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the mountains northwest of Nagano City. It is famous for its sacred cedar tree-lined path and consists of three main shrine areas: the Lower Shrine (Hokosha), the Middle Shrine (Chusha), and the Upper Shrine (Okusha), each offering different experiences. The area is also known for its connection to ninja history and traditional soba noodles. Experience: Visitors can walk through the ancient cedar avenue leading to the Upper Shrine, offering a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. The shrine is also a great place to learn about Japanese mythology and Shinto practices, and the surrounding area is perfect for hiking. *At Togakushi Shrine, visitors can enjoy a 30-40 minute walk through a beautiful cedar-lined path to reach the Upper Shrine.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

3.00

2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Tour description should make it clear that this is a tour only for winter months.
winjocchew,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
Huge disappointment as this is not the season for snow monkeys. Only went to the Togakushi Shrine. Don’t book!
Wonderful tour!
358vishalr,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is one of few tours that encompasses both the Togakushi Shrine and Snow Money Park in one day. Admittedly my wife and I were apprehensive booking, having never booked a tour before, but are so glad that we did. We had an incredible experience with Dai, our tour guide, who was easily contactable on WhatsApp and addressed all our questions prior to the day. He was punctual and picked us up from our hotel. Dai was extremely friendly and considerate, striking a perfect balance between leaving us alone to experience the surroundings but also informing us of the local area. A nice surprise, Dai also brings along his camera and takes pictures during the day! We left our hotel promptly at 9am to head to Jigokudani entrance followed by a beautiful 20 minute walk to the Snow Monkey Park (we arrived early enough so there was nobody else on the trail). Luckily, we arrived at the perfect time to see several Snow Monkeys in their natural habitat (just 30 minutes later, more people started arriving and the monkeys started to leave). Following that, we had a wonderful drive to the Togakushi Shrine, where we had lunch. Dai took us to one of his favourite soba restaurants, which was a family-run joint over 150 years old. The food was delicious, very well priced and they had vegetarian options for my wife (having a native Japanese speaker certainly helps deal with any dietary requirements). After lunch, we walked up to the upper Togakushi Shrine, along a route with incredible cedar trees. Finishing up, Dai drove us back along a scenic route to our hotel by 4pm. The tour was well worth the money. We saved so much time and hassle going by car with a local. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone who visits Nagano.