Private Tour
Private Snow Monkey Tour - Conveniently Resort Hop and Sightsee
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Starting from Nagano City or any of the Nagano's 5 main ski resorts
(Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen, Madarao Kogen) , we will pick your party up in our private vehicle to take you on your private tour and drop you off back at the pick up location or in Nagano City.
On this tour, you will visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and learn all about what makes the resident monkeys so unique, and enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant and experience Nagano’s renowned food culture.
Guests will also have a chance to stroll the charming streets of the historic town of Obuse, and enjoy viewing its remaining Edo period buildings, as well as explore Zenko-ji, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, and home to the first known Buddhist statue to be brought to Japan.
A Sake tasting experience with detailed explanations from your guide is also included(non-alcoholic options available).
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Once your tour begins, you will board our private tour vehicle and leave the city behind as you are transported to the Snow Monkey Park, located in the onsen town Yudanaka at the foot of the mountains. Your guide will take you along the forest trail which leads to the park and into Jigokudani - rather dramatically translating to 'Hell's Valley'. Home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs, there are no barriers separating you from the wild monkeys, making this a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will introduce these truly curious creatures and provide you time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. Make sure to bring your camera as you`re going to need it!
Your guide will then accompany you back along the trail to nearby Hotarutei for a well-deserved lunch and you will enjoy "nabe," meaning "hot pot" in Japanese. Nabe is a classic winter food in Japan and a perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day. To suit individual preferences, you may choose between beef, seafood, or vegetarian nabe. In addition, your meal will include assorted tempura, miso soup, sushi, and tea/coffee. This beautifully prepared, filling lunch is designed to match the season and highlight the best of Nagano's renowned food culture.
What‘s Included
Enjoy Traditional Japanese lunch at a nearby restaurant and experience Nagano’s renowned food culture.
Private transportation
Guided tour at Zenko-ji Temple & Obuse Town
Private Tour guide
Sake Tasting
Snow Monkey Park entry tickets
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Start from Nagano City
Meetup Point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Start from Shiga Kogen
Meetup point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Start from Myoko Kogen
Meetup Point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Start from Madarao Kogen
Meetup Point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Start from Hakuba Ski Resorts
Meetup Point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Start from Nozawa Onsen
Meetup Point: Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your accommodation
Pickup included
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our first time to Nagano....
Calvin O,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our first time to Nagano. It was a great trip with our guide Jake. We saw many snow monkeys along with many different sites. The hot pot lunch was great too. We would recommend people take this tour.
Snow Monkey Tour Outing (plus fabulous lunch)
Nomad60219545145,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were staying in Hakuba and wanted a day off skiing so booked the tour which was a great day out. Our guide Hana was super lovely and friendly. The monkeys were out in good numbers, the lunch superb and the temple great to see.
Prime experience in Nagano
T3864ADfranciscoa,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. The driver arrived on time and all the tour went smooth. Lunch provided was also excelent.
Monkeys, food and Sake!
798rachely,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a really wonderful day! It was varied and gave everyone something to enjoy. The snow monkey visit was adorable and watching them play was fantastic. Our kids all enjoyed the chance to stretch their legs and hike a little too. Then on to the most beautiful lunch we have had so far in Japan. We felt like royalty. The shrine visit was interesting and the Sake tasting even included the kids- they have non-alcoholic varieties! Our guide, Hiroshi, engaged with all of us, the kids included. (For context, our kids are 10, 12, and 14.) It was a great way to see a very beautiful part of Japan.
Cute Monkeys - Awesome Lunch
Aussie-CBCC,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Snow Monkeys were alot of fun and very cute. Its worth seeing them - especially the babies. The walk in is a bit trecherous - very icy but our 87 and 81 year old patriarch and matriarch made it fine. Lunch was the best meal of the whole trip and the best tour lunch we have ever had anywhere in the world. It is a bit expensive but worth it in the end. Kei, our guide, was amazing. She was very knowledgable and helpful for our large group of 11
Best experience in Japan!
trevorcB7209MR,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot recommend this tour enough! My wife and I booked a private tour with Endo who took us, our three small children, and father-in-law on a wonderful tour of Osaka and to see the snow monkeys. It will end up being the highlight of our Japan trip for our two boys who we had to drag out of the park because they did not want to leave. Endo taught us so much about the culture of Osaka and really cared about us and our kids. Our oldest son was glued to his side and he made us feel like part of his family. Highly recommend to anyone especially families. We’ll never forget this incredible experience! Thank you Endo-San!!!
Excellent tour
Luvcatlars,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a private tour, and it was fantastic! Hiroshi, our guide, was knowledgeable and accommodating. The monkey park was incredible, and the lunch felt authentic and tasted delicious. We stopped at a beautiful little town and enjoyed learning about the Zenkoji temple and sake tasting after (there was even NA sake for the kids). After the tour ended, the driver took us to our ski resort. It was all enjoyable and pleasant. Highly recommend this tour!
Snow Monkey and Zenkoji Temple
355lindyd,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nadine and her driver where fabulous.Nadine was warm friendly and very informative, her enthusiasm for Japanese culture made for a wonderful experience filled with interesting facts.We highly recommend this tour it was a fantastic day.
Snow Monkey Tour
W3334LZinfo,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Kay was amazing, very helpful and full of great tips and information. It was definitely more icy, slippery than I realised so crampons are a good idea. Overall loved all aspects of the tour.
Perfect visit to Monkeys and more
Skitchmp,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ren was a fantastic guide. She was on time, friendly, entertaining and made our visit a memorable one. Snow monkeys are better than imagined!!! Our driver was fabulous too and got us around safely and up to the snowy ski slopes. Snow Monkey Resorts is an all around wonderful company, do not hesitate using the for your visit.
Related Experiences
Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)