Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the famous Snow Monkeys and historic Shibu Onsen on this scenic afternoon tour! Enjoy exclusive priority entry, while others wait in long ticket lines, our guests receive pre-secured tickets for immediate access.
The journey features a guided drive through beautiful orchards. Reaching the park requires a 30-minute walk (2km) on snowy paths; you will have 50 minutes to enjoy the monkeys. Please note that the monkeys may not always appear in the park, especially in October and November.
Next, visit Tamamura Honten sake brewery (closed Sun/Holidays) in Shibu Onsen and then explore the 1,350-year-old town with our guide-you might even spot local monkeys in the streets! We recommend booking any day except Sunday and Wednesday when many shops close.
Returns to Iiyama (17:10) and Nozawa (17:30) are not guaranteed. Delays of 30+ minutes often occur due to weather or traffic. Please allow a generous time buffer for train or dinner reservations.
Book now to secure your spot!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
It is not allowed to bring Luggage (No luggage space in a vehcile). Please use coin lockers or storage service at the tourist information center in Iiyama Station..
No eating inside the vehicle
In the event of damages (vomiting etc.) which require the vehicle to be out of service for a duration and are caused by your party, a fee of up to ¥30,000 may be incurred.
Pickup time at Iiyama Station may be delayed if the participants are not coming on time at the first pickup point, Nozawa Onsen.
Rain gears are needed to be arranged by paricipants.
Return time at Iiyama Station will be 17:10~17:30 (Purchasing a train ticket before 17:30 is not recommended, the return time is subject to change depending on delays/weather conditions)
Return time at Nozawa Onsen will be 17:30~18:00 (subject to change depending on delays/condition of day)
Most shops in Shibu Onsen are closed on Wednesdays
Tamamura Honten (the brewery) is closed on Sundays
Please be aware that a medium level of fitness is required for about 2 km walk (one-way) to/from the park and anther 2 km walking tour in Shibu Onsen
The type of vehicle for the tour depends on the number of participants and can not be confirmed until the tour date.
The monkeys in the park are wild animals, and their appearance in the park is not guaranteed. In particular, the probability of seeing them drops significantly during October and November
Please be ready at the boarding point at least 5 minutes before departure. The bus will depart strictly on time. Please note that no refunds will be provided for any reason if you miss the departure.
Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking for 2km (30 mins) to/from the Monkey Park (Total 4 km / 1 hr)
Not recommended for families with infants or small children during winter, due to the added difficulty of the walk up to the monkey park. We also are unable to take strollers onto the bus. For customers who have small children, we recommend the Private Tour.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
(13:50~14:40) The journey to the park involves a scenic 2km walk along an unpaved forest trail, surrounded by majestic cedar trees, offering a true immersion into Japan’s pristine nature. The park itself is relatively compact; one hour is usually more than enough to see everything. However, please remember these are wild animals. You may encounter monkeys on the trail before even reaching the park entrance. We strongly recommend heading straight into the park first to see the main hot spring area. If you spend too much time with monkeys outside the gates, your time inside may be cut short. For a unique experience, look across the river from the park to the historic inn. In winter, you can often see monkeys and overnight guests sharing the outdoor bath! This facility also offers day-trip bathing for ¥1,500. If your timing is perfect, you might even find yourself soaking in the hot spring alongside a curious snow monkey. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Sake Storehouse Art Museum - Gallery Tamamura Honten
[CLOSED on Sundays & New Year's Holiday] (15:45~16:00) Established in 1805, this historic brewery boasts a legacy spanning over 220 years. Tamamura Honten produces both the award-winning traditional sake "Engi" and the pioneer of Japan’s craft beer scene, "Shiga Kogen Beer." Part of the magnificent 150-year-old wooden structure has been beautifully preserved and transformed into an art gallery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the owner’s curated art collection while enjoying tastings and shopping. Experience more than just a brewery, discover a true sanctuary of Japanese culture.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Monkey Park Entry Tickets
Stop over at the spring water spot (Green season only)
Guided walks in Shibu Onsen
Luggage Space
Lunch
Umbrella / Rainwear
Options
Iiyama Station Pickup
Duration: 5 hours: Winter (Dec~Mar): Depart 13:20 / Return 17:10 (4 hours) Green Season (Apr~Nov): Depart 13:20 / Return 17:40 (4.5 hours)
Nozawa Onsen Pickup
Duration: 5 hours: Winter (Dec~Mar): Depart 13:00 / Return 17:30 (4.5 hours)
Green Season (Apr~Nov): Depart 13:00 / Return 18:00 (5 hours)
Starting point:
Nozawa Onsen (Chuo Terminal), Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan
Reviews
70 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very special tour
David H,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour.Be prepared for Though for a long walk to see the monkeys.Our tour guide Tommy was very informative and made this day very special
Well-organised and...
Stacey S,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Well-organised and well-executed tour, our guide Tommy was very knowledgeable. There were so many snow monkeys the day we went! And they were so chill. It was quite a fast paced tour though so if you’ve got very young kids or wish to linger or go at a leisurely pace it may be better to book a private tour with the company. They’re great!
We had an excellent...
Brian H,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent experience on the monkey tour. Tommy was an outstanding guide—knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely engaging. He made the trip both informative and fun. The pacing was perfect, giving us just the right amount of time to enjoy the monkeys without feeling rushed. Highly recommend!
Tommy the tour engine
glennbE1892YO,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience and Tommy was a great guide. Friends advised that the trio wasn't worth doing if it wasn't snowing. That wasn't the case, it was still great, monkeys everywhere and very chilled.
We had an excellent time....
Jessica N,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent time. The snow monkey park and Onsen town were amazing. Our guide was informative, friendly, and wonderful with the kids.
Happy Customer - Thumbs up to Rosella
tamarag14,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had the lovely Rosella as my guide and she was awesome. She was knowledgeable, funny and kind. With an injured knee I took many precautions which she noticed and checked in with me about any limitations, during the journey out and throughout the day. The monkeys were brilliant and I ticked a bucket list item of my list. The walk in is relatively flat, excluding a couple short sets of stairs that I just took slowly. Shibu Onsen is a place I would like to explore further. Good as a taster but I will go back. The Sake tasting was uniquely Japanese blending the history of sake and delivery in a tech gadget. Love it.
Totally recommend this tour! Don’t hesitate! Book it!
Cengiz S,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this tour! Excellent value for money and a super cool itinerary! Our guide Tommy was wonderful - the perfect host and incredibly knowledgable about everything related to the local area, the snow monkeys and life in Japan generally! As it was just our group on the tour, he tailored the itinerary, its pace and schedule to our needs (which was much appreciated!). The snow monkeys in the park did not disappoint! They are super cute, well behaved and well worth all the fuss! It was a magical experience! Totally recommend this tour (along with its tour guide Tommy)! Don’t hesitate! Book it!
Great afternoon
97MC,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great afternoon tour! Tommy was a great guide and we were thrilled to see the monkeys. Seeing the onsen town was a nice bonus. Reasonable price. Really glad we did it.
It was fabulous! Rosella...
Cassandra B,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was fabulous! Rosella was a wonderful guide, very funny and knowledgeable. We loved the tour and learning about the area and the snow monkeys were beautiful. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon
Snow money visit
John M,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lovely half day trip through the Japanese countryside to see the snow monkeys. The guide Rosella was fantastic- vey informative and a wonderful personality. She looked after everyone on the bus
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