Private Tour
Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Private Tour (Nagano, Myoko, Madarao)
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The departure location is selectable from Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen and Madarao Kogen.
Starting with a visit to the famous Snow Monkey Park. Get up close and watch as the Snow Monkeys relax in the naturally occurring hot springs of Jigokudani. Thanks to the tour's early morning start you will see the Monkeys as exclusively as it gets!
Following this, we will commute to Shibu Onsen town. The first place to stop is Tamamura Honten, a sake & beer brewery established in 1805 attached to a traditional art gallery.
After that, our guide will offer you insight into the historic Onsen village. This village was once frequented by Samurai, poets, and travellers alike. Good fortune is said to come to those who bathe in each of the Onsen in town.
This section is a walking tour, but if you would prefer to relax in an Onsen, you may do so for just ¥800!
Finally, during the green season, we visit Kokugonji, a serene and beautifully maintained temple nestled in rural Nakano and founded in 825.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
It is not allowed to bring Luggage during the tour
Travel time is included to the total duration of the product.
Rain gears are needed to be arranged by paricipants.
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.
Most shops in Shibu Onsen are closed on Wednesdays
Tamamura Honten (the brewery) is closed on Sundays
Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking for 2km to/from the Monkey Park
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
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 Sunday and New Year Holidays] Sake & Beer brewery. The ground floor is a shop area, 2nd floor is a traditional art gallery. During winter, you may freely visit it instead of the guided walk in Shibu Onsen.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Guided walk in Shibu Onsen
In-person guide is also the driver
Monkey Park Entry Tickets
Lunch
Guideded walk in the Monkey Park
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Subcompact Wagon (up to 3 pax)
Daihatsu Wake
Pickup included
Full-size Van (Up to 9 pax)
Hi-Ace Grand Cabin
Pickup included
Commuter Van (up to 13 pax)
Hi-Ace Commuter : No luggage Space
Pickup included
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended
gen246,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience. Seeing monkeys in the hot springs, playing along the river and weaving in between the on lookers is very unique. Shibu onsen is gorgeous town. Shinji is very genuine person and added interesting insights along the journey.
Monkey/ Shibu onsen tour
valeriesM3499MZ,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to spend part of our day. Seeing the monkeys was amazing, and we loved our little tour of Shibu Onsen town! Our guide Shingy was wonderful. Learned a lot of neat info about the town and area.
Excellent tour in and around Nagano.
Safari66654006940,Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful visit tour to the snow monkeys and surrounding towns. Tommy was a great guide, knowledgeable of the region, friendly, and fun. All around great way to spend a day!
Super fun and cool
Angela T,Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very sweet and pleasant day. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Great way to explore the local area!
Jonesy266,Jan 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Arrived to see the monkeys being fed. Up close but they just went about their own business. So cool to see them bathing in the hot spring baths. Interesting to see the local onsen village too. Our driver was amazing and made it a really fun experience all round.
Nothing short of amazing!
Maria v,Nov 19, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was amazing and knew so much about the area and the park itself (I’m sorry I don’t know how to spell his name). The drive was great and the walking tour of Shibu Onsen like stepping back in time, would highly recommend to anyone.
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Operated by IXSM Travel