Explore Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park with a Local Guide

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Nagano, Japan

3 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Japan’s Nagano prefecture is widely regarded as the country’s winter capital, due to its snowy landscapes and premium ski spots. Visit one of Japan’s most famous winter spots on a 3.5-hour tour of Jigokudani Monkey Park from Shimotakai-gun. Marvel at red-faced Japanese macaques as they bathe in steaming ‘onsen’ (hot springs) and follow walking trails rife with flora and fauna.

3.5-hour tour of Jigokudani Monkey Park from Shimotakai-gun
Escape the city and explore one of Japan's most famous winter spots
Marvel at furry Japanese macaques as they bathe in steaming onsen
Follow walking trails surrounded by local flora and fauna
Sample sake and beer manufactured at a local brewery
Small-group tour limited to eight people

What's Included

Professional guide
Foot Spa
Round trip bus tickets from Yudanaka station
All Fees and Taxes

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Private transportation

Taxi / Private Car or Bus

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Yudanaka Station
Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
The guide will waiting for you at the ticket gate of Yudanaka station.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.12:20 pm

Itinerary

Your tour begins outside the ticket gate at Yudanaka station at 1pm, when you’ll greet your guide and complete the short journey to Jigokudani Monkey Park.

On arrival, you’ll follow a walking trail and learn about local flora and fauna from your guide. Observe the red-faced, fur-covered Japanese macaques (aka snow monkeys) as they bathe in the steaming waters of natural hot springs.

Yamanouchi Information Center

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Yamanouchi Information Center (Pass By)

Jigokudani Funsen (Pass By)

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Enza Cafe & Ramen Enza

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kaede no Yu

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Please join us wearing shoes that are easy to walk in and do not bring heavy baggage because you will walk the mountain paths
A maximum of 8 people per booking
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 33 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Fabulous snow monkey tour with Tomio

Anna_K, Apr 2026

The snow monkey tour with Tomio was awesome! We learn so much about the Nagano area and the snow monkeys. His English was great and he really customized the tour for us ... throwing in a sake brewery tasting.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Dear Anna, Thank you very much for another review!It’s great to hear that Tamio’s knowledge, excellent English, and customized touches—like the sake brewery tasting—made your day so memorable. We truly appreciate your kind review and hope to welcome you again! Best regards, Kyoko

Useless like having no tour guide

Anonymous, May 2025

The tour guide was late she showed up 10 minutes late. Her picture was 10 year younger than the actual one in person. She was the worst tour guys I every had with Vistor in 20 plus years I have used Viator in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Australia , New Zealand and Many more countries through out my 20 years using Viator. She was the worst ever. We could have easily just gone online and bought the entrance tickets and train & bus ride. First she didn’t wait for us and raced forward without even looking back and had to run to catch up with her my girlfriend lagged further behind and told her she is the tour guide and needs to stay with my girlfriend to make sure she was okay. She then after one hour stay with her then she didn’t and told me she need me . I told her I have to keep moving forward and she needs to make sure she was okay then she need med her inhaler so I went back to give it to her but it took me awhile since I sprain my ankle a few days ago and was walking slower than normal but a steady pace. We had only 20 minutes at the monkey hot springs but it was enough since they were not swimming in the hot springs but climbing and playing around the rocks tell they all came running to the park ranger who was feeding them that afternoon around 2:30-3pm. She the. Said lets go before they feed the monkey and we started our climb back down she told us not to use the bathroom up there since the one nicer down below but she quickly left both my girlfriend and I and charged ahead not even looking back she was a good 10-15 minutes ahead of me and 20 -25 minutes before my girlfriend there was k my us I. Her tour now I know why. She probably got some other bad reviews! She charge ahead to go to the bathroom and I could see she disappeared in the building but as I was approaching she came out drinking her water! She never once during the 3 hours of we needed some water. So the cost of the tickets was less than $50 each so the was paid over $200 for nothing! There was no other tour guide and about 75 to over 100 people walked up the trail without any guide. She did not say one word about the monkeys or history or nothing she was so useless the tour was 100percent waste of money we could do it by our self she didn’t stay with us so it was like we didn’t even have a tour guide plus she could even spend 50 cent for water to give us. Wow what is Viator doing hiring such a bad terrible tour guide. Never again!

Teddy was an amazing and...

Kenneth_P, Jan 2025

Teddy was an amazing and gracious guide - he made the experience a great one especially for our 6 year old. Highly recommend, a once in a lifetime experience to treasure.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Dear Kenneth, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your experience with Teddy was memorable, especially for your child. We truly appreciate your praise and hope to welcome you back for more magical experiences in the future! Best regards, Kyoko

Monkey Fun

James_P, Apr 2024

We had a great guide! Teddy was very knowledgeable and patiently answered all of our questions. We had a beautiful day and saw so many monkeys. Great tour. Great guide!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Teddy and had a great day observing the monkeys. Looking forward to welcoming you again in the future! Best regards, Mariko

A magical day made perfect with the best guide!

Stephanie_H, Mar 2024

I have taken quite a few trips with Viator, but this is hands down the best one I have ever done. Our guide Tamio was waiting for us with a sign, and was so friendly and informative all day. We couldn't have asked for a better guide. He gave us advice, interesting knowledge, allowed us to take our time. We had a lot of time viewing the monkeys, stopped for a drink and then bathed our feet in the hot spa. It was like having an old friend with us. He even recommended a restaurant for later in the day, and took us there and translated to the waiter for us. Really above and beyond. I can't praise him enough, he made a magical day even more special.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your experience with our guide Tamio was the best you've ever had. We truly appreciate your praise and hope to welcome you back for more magical experiences in the future! Regards, Mariko

Fantastic experience

Jim_R, Mar 2024

What a memorable experience!!! Our guide was super cool and knowledgeable about the area and about the tour. He made sure to get us to the perfect spot so we could capture amazing pictures of the snow monkeys. We never felt rushed or that we had to make small talk with our tour guide because he was so down to earth and welcoming. We highly recommend this tour and the tour guide

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for taking the time write this review, it really means a lot to us! We are a small company, so every feedback is extremely helpful. I hope we'll be able to help you explore Japan even more in the future! Best regards, Mariko

Up close and fun with the snow monkeys

Lynn_M, Nov 2023

We had a lot of fun with Teddy, our knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful guide. It was a very long day for us, as we came from Tokyo but it was all worth it. We were blessed with beautiful weather and we saw so many monkeys. We’d recommend this tour to all nature and animal lovers.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for taking the time to write this review! It really means a lot for us. I am very happy that you enjoyed the tour with Teddy. I hope that we will be able to help you explore Japan again soon. Best regards, Monica

Our guide was delightful, she was...

Leslie F, Jul 2017

Our guide was delightful, she was very informative and her English is excellent. We really enjoyed the stroll through the trees where the clear water gushed alongside, very refreshing but the monkeys stole the show, there were so many of them just going about their business as if they hadn't even seen us. We saw several youngsters and really cute babies. We'll certainly remember our visit and would highly recommend it.

We found the overall experience to...

Rachel F, Jul 2017

We found the overall experience to be just 'okay'. We thought this tour, would be all inclusive. To be clear, you are paying all that money just to have someone walk with you. When you get off the train, you pay for your bus ticket, you pay for your park entry, you pay for your meal. I was under the impression that the tour had a rest stop, or office to put your things, or some kind of behind the scene experience. It was not, literally someone just accompanies you from the train station to the park. I mentioned this to the guide and she said that it says it's not inclusive in the fine print. I went back and re-read everything and could not find where it said that. Travelers could easily do this themselves with no requirement for a guide. The tour seemed extremely rushed trying to make it back to the train station in time, which ended up being extremely stressful with 2 children. However, our guide was very friendly and so accommodating. She did a great job leading us around and answering our questions. She was even generous enough to give me a pair of her socks when mine had gotten wet. There is no question, that she was perfect. It was obvious that she was just doing what her boss had instructed her to do. It was a totally mediocre experience.

Michiko is a wonderful guide. She...

Jerry H, Apr 2017

Michiko is a wonderful guide. She took us on a great tour of the Snow Monkey park in Jigokudani, helped us with the transportation and made us feel more like friends than just clients. We saw many monkeys up close - even within a foot or two or our legs. They are not at all afraid of humans. In addition to the pictures we took, Michiko took some of us and send us links to them. That was very thoughtful. We enjoyed the Sake tasting and the hot foot baths at the end of the tour. It was well worth the trip from Tokyo.

Michiko was super nice and it was...

Heidi G, Feb 2017

Michiko was super nice and it was nice to have a guide take us to the monkey park. We were the only people on the tour which was great because we didn't have to wait for anyone else. I think this tour is best for people who are very new to Japan or not so frequent travellers, avid travellers can figure out this tour on their own with some online research. The cost doesn't include the entry into the park or the bus fare so keep that in mind. The monkey park itself it truly fantastic, the only thing that knocks a star is that I wish we had more time to take photos, 30 minutes went by so fast considering it takes about 45 minutes to walk there and another 45 to get back. The walk is beautiful though especially if it's been snowing lately, I would recommend snow boots if you have them as it can get icy and muddy, but I wore addidas and was fine too.

I have traveled the world from...

SharonAnn_W, Oct 2016

I have traveled the world from China, Egypt, Prague, Italy, Cuba and I have to say that visiting the Nagano Snow Monkey Park, with your guide Takeshi, was one of the most fabulous experiences of my life. I hope to return in the winter someday!

Truly Exceptional. That's the...

Anurag G, Mar 2016

Truly Exceptional. That's the only sentence to describe the place. I arrived by train and my local guide was right there. She planned the trip so well that we did not waste a minute and I really enjoyed being at the park with Snow Monkeys. Although, there was no snow and wasn't too cold for monkeys to bath in the hot water pool but we saw monkeys real close. I got a chance to take a lot of pictures and videos of monkeys in their natural habitat. Also, a selfie with monkey . I like the way that they did not modernize the place to be tourist friendly but it is monkey friendly. One caution, if you do not like walking then this tour is not for you. To see the monkeys you'll have to walk over a mile one way then back same distance. So prepare to walk. Also, make sure to have rubber boots or hiking boots as it becomes muddy during wet days and if it snowed previous night it would be slippery as well. After our visit to the park we walked to local Sake factory, which offers tasting their own creation of Sake in various varieties. I liked unfiltered one and bought couple of bottles for gifting back home. Lastly, I would like to give 5 star rating to my guide who was very knowledgeable and very active and the funny thing is, I was the only member in the group so she acted like my personal guide o.