Snow Monkeys, Obuse & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Nagano, Japan

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

7 to 8 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Nadine_K ·

Jan 2026

Wonderful 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!

· Annie_S ·

Dec 2025

The guide was friendly, knowledge and kept the group moving patiently but efficiently. We saw a lot of snow monkeys at the onsen before the crowds started to move in and enjoyed a delicious lunch and sake tasting after. Transportation and communication were smooth. 100% worth the price! Highly recommend.

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Overview

Nagano has so much to offer that limiting your sightseeing to one day can feel stressful. This intimate, small-group tour eliminates the hassle of planning your own itinerary and arranging transportation. Visit the Snow Monkey Park to see wild macaques relaxing in natural hot springs; stop in the charming town of Obuse for a local lunch and sake tasting at a historic brewery; and enjoy an optional visit to Zenkoji Temple (only available for earliest departure times).

Enjoy free time in Obuse, known for local flavors and Hokusai heritage
See wild macaques in their natural hot-spring habitat
Skip the stress of hiring a car and navigating unfamiliar roads
Enjoy a more personalized experience on this small-group tour

What's Included

Lunch

Choice of chicken, pork, or vegetarian meal, made with fresh, local ingredients
Entry to Snow Monkey Park
Savor premium sake
Transportation between all tour locations
For 8:45 departures only: optional drop-off at Zenkoji Temple with return pick-up to Nagano Station.
Small-group experience with an English-speaking local guide

Hokusai Museum entrance fee
Optional expenses: food, drinks, shopping, transport to meeting point
There are no mandatory in-destination costs.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Beck's Coffee Shop
1038-4 Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan
In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station (just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Beck's Coffee Shop

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Obuse-machi

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Masuichi Ichimura Sake Brewery

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Obuse-machi

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Zenko-ji Temple (Pass By)

Nagano Station

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 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

5.0

based on 28 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Fantastic day out.

Adrienne_C, Apr 2026

Absolutely fantastic day out exploring, easy pickup from central location, excellent variety of activities. Guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Throughly recommended to anyone looking for a brilliant day out.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We are so happy to hear you had such a fantastic day and enjoyed the variety of activities. It is also great to know the pickup was easy and that the guiding helped make the experience even more enjoyable. Thank you again for joining o8Experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation.

Great tour guide,...

Vy_T, Apr 2026

Great tour guide, informative and friendly. A bit of walking up the hill and steps so comfortable shoes is recommended

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear you found the tour informative and friendly. We also appreciate you mentioning the walking and steps along the route—comfortable shoes really do make the experience more enjoyable. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Nagano in the future. Warm regards, o8Experience

Adapting a tour for diverse ages and fitness-,Masa rocked!

Pat_B, Apr 2026

This 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!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you very much for your thoughtful review. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the day and felt well supported throughout the tour. The walk to see the monkeys can be a bit muddy and active at times, so it means a lot to know that Masa helped everyone feel comfortable while still giving you time to enjoy the scenery and experience at your own pace. We are also very glad you enjoyed the lunch and the sake tasting — and especially that you found a favorite sake. Thank you as well for mentioning the preset meal, as that is very helpful for future guests. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Nagano again someday. Warm regards, o8Experience

Brilliant day including seeing the monkeys.

David_J, Mar 2026

Our 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.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you very much for your kind review. We are so pleased to hear that you had such a positive day with Masa. Seeing the snow monkeys is always special, and we are very happy to know the walk felt worthwhile and that you enjoyed the authentic lunch and sake tasting as well. It also means a lot to hear that you felt well looked after throughout the day. We always hope every guest can enjoy the experience comfortably, and your words are truly appreciated. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Nagano in the future. Warm regards, o8Experience

One of the best tour experiences I've booked on this site!

katherinerautenberg, Feb 2026

My 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!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review. We are truly delighted to hear that you and your husband had such an amazing day with us. It is especially nice to know that the tour felt comfortable, well-paced, and personal from start to finish. Nagano offers such a special mix of nature, local culture, food, and history, so we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed not only the Snow Monkeys and the beautiful scenery, but also your time in Obuse, the sake tasting, Hokusai Museum, chestnut ice cream, and Zenkoji Temple as well. It sounds like you made the most of the day, and that is exactly the kind of experience we hope to create. Thank you again for choosing o8Experience and for recommending the tour so warmly. We would be very happy to welcome you back to Nagano in the future. Warm regards, o8Experience

Cannot recommend enough!...

Rita_K, Feb 2026

Cannot 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!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. We are truly delighted to hear that you and your husband had such a memorable day with us. It is great to know you enjoyed the walk to the Snow Monkey Park, the close-up moments with the monkeys, and the beautiful scenery along the way. We are also pleased that lunch in town, the Hokusai Museum, and the sake tasting all came together to create a well-balanced and enriching experience. We sincerely appreciate your kind words, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Nagano again in the future. Warm regards, o8Experience

A Truly Perfect Day in Nagano

Heather_W, Jan 2026

Our 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!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for joining us in Nagano — we’re really happy to hear you had such a relaxed and memorable day. Masa will be especially glad to know you enjoyed the easy walking pace and the smooth entry at Snow Monkey Park. And yes — the park can get crowded, but as you noticed, it usually flows well… as long as you’re ready to wait your turn for that “perfect onsen monkey” photo. We’re also thrilled you loved lunch and the sake tasting — it’s always our hope that guests leave with a totally new appreciation for local flavors (and for what sake can be!). Thank you as well for sharing your extra stops and tips around town — Takai Kōzan Memorial Hall, chestnut ice cream, and the Zenkoji shopping street are all great additions, and we love your “wand chooses the wizard” description. 😄 Warm regards, o8Experience

Wonderful experience in...

Nadine_K, Jan 2026

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏 We’re really happy to hear you had such a relaxed and enjoyable day in Nagano. Starting early at the Snow Monkey Park is one of our favorite parts too — it makes a big difference when you can experience the atmosphere before it gets busy. And we’re glad you enjoyed the lunch and sake tasting as well! Thank you again for choosing o8Experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you back to Nagano anytime. Warm regards, o8Experience

Snow monkeys

Jesse_S, Jan 2026

We missed our train and arrived late, Massa the tour guide was very accommodating. Had a great time, snow monkeys were very cool.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you very much for your lovely review! We’re glad everything still worked out despite the train delay, and that you had a great time seeing the snow monkeys. Our team always does our best to stay flexible and help the day feel smooth and relaxed. We truly appreciate you joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Nagano again in the future. — o8Experience

The guide was friendly,...

Annie_S, Dec 2025

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for joining us — and for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the day, from seeing plenty of snow monkeys before the crowds to the lunch and sake tasting afterward. It also means a lot to know the pacing felt comfortable and efficient, and that the transportation and communication were smooth. Thank you again for the recommendation — we truly appreciate it, and we hope to welcome you back to Nagano someday! Warm regards, o8Experience

Travelers visit many...

Anna_J, Dec 2025

Travelers visit many highlights of Nagano, including the monkey park, a Japanese restaurant, Obuse chestnut alley, and Zenkoji Temple. Masa is a knowledgeable guide as a Nagano native and a world traveler. Our visit was especially lucky, as we picked a day when the snow monkeys visited the park en masse and a few even went into the hot spring water. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can clean and warm clothing.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you very much for joining o8Experience — and for sharing such a detailed review! We’re really happy you enjoyed seeing Nagano’s highlights, from the Snow Monkey Park and a local Japanese restaurant to Obuse’s chestnut alley and Zenkoji Temple. And yes — you truly picked a lucky day! Seeing the monkeys gather in large numbers (and a few even soaking in the hot spring) is always a special moment. Thank you as well for the helpful tips about warm clothing and comfortable, easy-to-clean shoes — that advice will definitely help future travelers. We hope to welcome you back to Nagano again someday!

Perfect day in Nagano just as the title of the experience

Nayive_C, Dec 2025

This was a great experience, having the transportation lets you maximize your time in Nagano, it has the perfect number of stops and the food was very good! Kei was an excellent tour guide and also out driver! The flexibility to adjust to the group was amazing! Punctuality was on point perfect! Would recommend to anyone

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you so much for joining o8Experience in Nagano and for your wonderful review! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the balance of stops, the food, and the convenience of having transportation. Kei will be delighted to know you appreciated his guiding, driving, and flexibility with the group’s needs. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Nagano again someday!

Great trip!

Kayla, Nov 2025

Such a wonderful experience! Masa, our guide, was full of great information about the snow monkeys and Nagano. He made the day special and easy from start to finish, even with the rain. Highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the snow monkeys and Nagano—even on a rainy day. Masa loves making the day smooth, informative, and fun, so your words mean a lot. We hope to welcome you back for more Nagano adventures!! — o8Experience Team

This is a wonderful tour...

mina_t, Aug 2025

This is a wonderful tour with Mr Masa if you have never been to Nagano. He is very knowledgeable and took us to see the snow monkeys , Obuse where we had a wonderful lunch and shopping and then to the Zenkoji temple.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m delighted you enjoyed the Snow Monkeys, Obuse’s lunch & shopping, and Zenkoji Temple. Nagano is beautiful in every season—if you visit again, I’d love to tailor another day just for you. Safe travels! — o8Experience

Snow Moneys and more!

Joanne_W, Jul 2025

Our guide was friendly, spoke great English, and answered all of our (often dumb) questions! Highly recommend this tour operator. We had plenty of time with the Snow Monkeys, went to a very high quality restaurant for a v tasty lunch, the sake is like no other (wish bought some to take home) and Obuse is a super cute little town with some great souvenir shops, galleries and history. The end of the day topped off with the Zenkoji temple. Thank you!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the full day with o8Experience — from the snow monkeys to the delicious lunch, unique sake, and the charming town of Obuse. And no such thing as a dumb question — our guides are always happy to share and connect 😊 It really means a lot to know you appreciated the pace and quality of each stop. Hopefully the memories (and maybe some great photos) help make up for not bringing any sake home 😉 Thanks again for choosing o8Experience — we’d love to welcome you back anytime!

Great Day with Snow Monkeys in the Nagano area

Jeffrey_K, May 2025

Excellent tour with very good guide, Masa, who chauffeured us to the sites listed in the tour. While the Snow Monkeys might be the highlight (and there was some drama when they weren’t there initially) don’t sleep on the charming town of Obuse or the temple in Nagano. We had an excellent time and would reccomend to friends.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear you had an excellent time exploring with Masa. While the Snow Monkeys are often the star of the show (even with a bit of drama!), we’re glad you also appreciated the hidden gems of Obuse and the historic temple in Nagano. Your kind words and recommendation mean a lot to us. We’d love to welcome you or your friends again on another o8Experience adventure! Best regards, The o8Experience Team