Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a premium small-group tour—typically 6–8 guests—blending nature, culture, and great local food in one smooth day.
Start at Nagano Station and head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Walk a quiet forest trail to see wild macaques relaxing in natural hot springs—one of Nagano’s most iconic sights.
Next, visit Obuse for a local lunch and a historic brewery sake tasting. Then enjoy some free time in this charming town, long associated with the artist Hokusai, whose later years in Obuse helped shape its cultural identity—stroll the scenic streets, browse local shops, and sample a few local treats at your own pace.
On 8:45 AM departures, there is also time for an optional visit to Zenkoji Temple—one of Nagano’s most important historic landmarks (not available on 9:35 AM departures).
With beautiful scenery, authentic flavors, and a touch of art and history, this tour captures the best of Nagano—comfortably, efficiently, and in a genuinely personal small-group setting.
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
If traveling from Tokyo station, take the 6:52 AM or 7:20 AM Shinkansen to arrive on time.
There is a possibility that the monkeys may not appear as they are wild animals. While sightings are generally reliable during much of the year, there are times — particularly in certain seasons — when they may not come to the park due to weather, food availability, or other natural factors. Please understand that we do not offer refunds if no monkeys are present during your visit. Our team will still provide a comfortable vehicle, a knowledgeable guide, and a well-structured itinerary to make your visit meaningful. Even without the monkeys, the walk to the park offers beautiful forest scenery and a memorable nature experience — each season has its own charm.
Please do not eat or drink coffee inside the vehicle to keep it clean for everyone. Bottled water and small pets in carriers are okay.
On-time departure policy: Tours depart on time. We can wait up to 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After that, late arrivals are treated as a no-show (no refund/reschedule).
Please note that due to potential traffic jams, there may be slight delays, making the tour last more extra hours. Guests are advised not to schedule train departures immediately after the tour and to allow sufficient time for boarding.
During winter, please be prepared for below-freezing temperatures and icy, slippery conditions at Snow Monkey Park by wearing non-slip footwear or bringing cleats for added safety.
Flexible Ending (8:45 AM departures only): Optional Zenkoji Temple Visit After Obuse, guests who choose to visit Zenkoji Temple will be dropped off there first for free time. Guests who prefer to return directly to Nagano Station may do so instead. After dropping off guests at Nagano Station, the guide will return to Zenkoji Temple to pick up the remaining guests and bring them back to Nagano Station. This option is not available on 9:35 AM departures.
Peak winter days: If parking is extremely limited, the Snow Monkey Park visit may be done on your own. We’ll share a clear meet-up point, stay in touch via WhatsApp, and provide ticket money in advance (receipt requested).
o8Experience is a locally based tour company offering private and small-group experiences across Nagano and surrounding regions. From food and culture to nature and history, we create meaningful journeys tailored to curious travelers. Visit o8Experience to discover more.
Please note: The tour starts at 8:45 AM. If we visit Obuse first (based on monkey activity), lunch will be around 11:00 AM, and we’ll go to the Snow Monkey Park in the early afternoon.
This tour is not suitable for individuals with significant mobility issues due to the walking required, particularly the 1.6-kilometer trail to the Snow Monkey Park. It is also not recommended for those who prefer minimal physical activity or are uncomfortable with extended outdoor exposure in varying weather conditions. Please note that wheelchairs and strollers are not accessible, and child seats are not prepared for this tour.
Strollers are not accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
8:45 AM: Meet in front of Becks Coffee at Nagano Station for a warm welcome from your guide. Getting There: If traveling from Tokyo Station, take the 6:52 AM or 7:20 AM Shinkansen to arrive on time.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Witness wild Japanese macaques soaking in natural hot springs, an iconic Nagano experience.
What‘s Included
Choice of chicken, pork, or vegetarian meal, made with fresh, local ingredients
Small-group experience with an English-speaking local guide
Entry to Snow Monkey Park
For 8:45 departures only: optional drop-off at Zenkoji Temple with return pick-up to Nagano Station.
Savor premium sake
Transportation between all tour locations
Hokusai Museum entrance fee
Optional expenses: food, drinks, shopping, transport to meeting point
There are no mandatory in-destination costs.
Options
Snow Monkey, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano
Reviews
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Adapting a tour for diverse ages and fitness-,Masa rocked!
Pat B,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a small tour and Masa was superb! Great directions on meeting point and check in. Gave some history and pointed out sites aling the way. Since this was a moderate hike to see the monkey's he was clear on what to expect and kept the group moving but not rushed so everyone could keep their own pace. Pretty muddy in spots but the hike was well worth it. Lots of time for pics and enjoying this amazing bit of nature. After the hike, stopped for lunch (loved the pork over the chicken). Might let them know of any allergies since this a preset meal. Then off to sako tasting...loved the Shu! 30 minutes to tour and then back to Nagano. Masa took great care of us and highly recommend him as a guide. Just awesome, encouraging us to take the time need to enjoy the mountain on our way!
Brilliant day including seeing the monkeys.
David J,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Masa was wonderful and gave us a great experience. Despite the long walk it was well worth it to see the monkeys. Masa took us to a beautiful restaurant where we had an authentic lunch which we all really enjoyed. Afterwards we had a Sake tasting which was brilliant, it renewed my faith in Sake !!!! We were by far the eldest in the group, but Masa kept a watchful eye over us. All in all a great day, thank you Masa.
Amazing trip to see the snow monkeys in Nagano
Jackie S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely day out with Kei our guide. She was very friendly and her English was excellent. She took the time to chat to everyone and made us all feel comfortable. She even surprised me by saying Thank you to me in Welsh. Unfortunately there was not much snow around but it was a beautiful sunny day and we saw loads of monkeys. Lunch was in a beautiful restaurant in Obuse. The Japanese fried chicken was delicious. The meal was followed by a sake tasting session. We were able to choose 2 types of sake each to taste so managed to taste 4 between us. We had time to wander around the lovely little town after lunch and we enjoyed the local chestnut flavoured ice cream for dessert. The driver dropped us off at the Zenkoji temple so we had plenty of time for a bit of culture to round off the day,
One of the best tour experiences I've booked on this site!
katherinerautenberg,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I had such an amazing time on this tour! It turned out that we were the only two who had booked the experience that day and so it felt very luxurious. At Nagano Station, we were whisked away in a comfortable vehicle to see the incredible snow monkeys. It's a bit of a drive, then a bit of a hike to get to the actual park, but it was our first time in Nagano and we marveled over the scenery and learned a lot about the area. After plenty of time with the monkeys, we went to the charming Obuse area where we had a delicious lunch, followed by a fun and informative sake tasting. During some free time, we chose to visit the Hokusai Museum and sample some chestnut ice cream. We elected to visit Zenkoji on our way back to Nagano Station, which also included some time for grabbing local snacks and souvenirs on the street leading to the temple. It really was a well-paced, informative, and super entertaining day that I would recommend to anyone!
Cannot recommend enough!...
Rita K,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Cannot recommend enough! My husband and I had the most wonderful day. We started with a hike to the snow monkey park/onsen. The monkeys were so cool to look at, and it was up close and personal. The hike there and back was filled with gorgeous views. The town we had lunch in was picturesque, and the Hokusai museum had so many pieces to admire. We learned a lot at the sake tasting. It was a perfect, well rounded tour with the most amazing guide!
Great way to experience The snow monkey park
marthamaet,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We beat the crowds which made it possible to get close to the onsen where the monkeys bathe. We enjoyed the sake tasting and lunch in the town was delicious. Masa-san was an excellent tour guide. We highly recommend this tour.
Perfect day in Nagano!
richardsW6029OM,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A terrific tour! I highly recommend Masa-san and this tour. Being a smaller tour, masa-san can beat the busloads of tourists to the Jigokudani Yaen-koen snow monkey park and give you some insights into the history of the park. This was followed by a lovely lunch in Obuse, a small town in the Nagano region. We toured the Hokusai Museum and enjoyed the area and its treats and snacks. The sake tasting was fun, and we even bought a bottle of our favorite. Masa-san is super-friendly and can adapt the tour as-needed. Thank you, Masa-san!
A Truly Perfect Day in Nagano
Heather W,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Masa-san, is a local to Nagano who is very kind and easy to talk to. He is very knowledgeable of the area and the Snow Monkeys. When arriving at Snow Monkey Park, the walking pace was leisurely, with Masa-san going ahead of our group to secure entry tickets, so we could skip the line (usually about 30 minutes). The park itself was a little crowded, but that was expected. No worries though, as people move along fairly quickly in some areas, though you will need to queue up and wait for the perfect picture at the snow monkey onsen. After the park, we headed to Nagano and had lunch at an excellent restaurant. Both meat options are recommended, as they were both very good. Next up, we had a sake tasting which changed my understanding of the drink! Very delicious! Finally, we had a bit of free time in Nagano to explore - we hit up the Takai Kōzan Memorial Hall museum (entry fee, a paltry 300 ¥) which gives you a view of his life. Try the chestnut ice cream in the area if you a chance. After that, there was time for a visit to the Zenkoji Temple. This neat place has a street full of vendors (check out the shop with what I would call Harry Potter style chopsticks - "the wand chooses the wizard, Harry"). There are food stalls as well, if you want a treat after stuffing yourself at lunch. The temple is beautifully maintained and is fairly large, so there's lots to explore inside and out. Finally, I say you ask Masa-san about punk rock. He is a fan!
Wonderful experience in...
Nadine K,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful experience in Nagano, the guide was very informative and easy to get along with. He gave us a lot of time to explore the places we went which made the tour feel relaxed. Arriving early to the snow monkey park was great so we could enjoy it before the crowds came in. The lunch spot was delicious and sake tasting was memorable. Overall would highly recommend!
Epic day in Nagano
Lyssandro R,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This day trip was a highlight of our trip to Japan. Our guide Masa was very knowledgeable and explained a lot of information about the places we visited on the tour. Super easy pick up at Nagano station, comfortable trip to the snow monkey park, our guide arranged tickets to avoid queues, the monkeys were very cute. The lunch was high quality and delicious, as was the sake tasting. We had time to look around Obuse, including the Hokusai museum. We also visited Zenkoji, which was very beautiful. We really enjoyed this day trip and would definitely recommend!
From ¥24,800
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by o8Experience