1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour in Nagano

Take in some of the highlights of Nagano on this engaging tour starting with a visit to Zenkoji – one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - followed by sake-tasting and lunch at a nearby restaurant. It's then time to head to the Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys! Led by a locally based English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to see the best that Nagano has to offer*.

*Named one of Japan's Top 10 travel experiences by TripAdvisor for 2022!

Highlights

  • Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and learn all about what makes the resident monkeys so unique

  • Explore Zenkoji, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, and home to the first known Buddhist statue to be brought to Japan.

  • Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant and experience Nagano’s renowned food culture

  • Try 'sake' with a tasting and learning experience all led by your guide (non-alcoholic option also available)

  • Duration

    10 hours and 15 minutes

  • Offered in

    English

What is included

  • Transportation from Nagano to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities / attractions.

  • Snow Monkey Park entrance fee

  • Lunch (vegetarian options are available)

  • Guided tour at Zenkoji, 'sake'-tasting and at the monkey park

  • English-speaking guide

What is not included

  • Additional food, snacks & drinks

  • Optional entrance fee to the inner sanctuary of Zenkoji Temple

  • Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets

  • Accommodation

ITINERARY

Meeting / Pickup Point

This tour operates to and from Nagano Station - with the option of pickup at Hotel Kokusai 21 and Patio Daimon - throughout the year with the option of joining from Hakuba only in winter, from December to March (see below for details):

HOTEL KOKUSAI 21 @ 09:10
Please wait at the entrance of the hotel lobby. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

NAGANO STATION @ 09:35
The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Please also ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 09:40.

PATIO DAIMON / ZENKOJI AREA @ 09:55
The meetup point is outside of the restaurant called 'Monzen Terrace Enya'. Please stand on the wooden decking / outdoor seating area directly in front of the restaurant. Please also ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 10:00.

The following four meetup points in Hakuba are only available in winter from December to March. Please note, when operating in winter the Hakuba pick-ups are before the pick-ups in Nagano and drop-off will be later:

(Winter Only) HAKUBA TSUGAIKEKOGEN HEIGHTS BUS STOP, TSUGAIKE AREA @ 07:20
Please wait at the Tsugaikekogen Heights Bus Stop in the Tsugaike area of Hakuba. Make sure you arrive before 07:20.

(Winter Only) HAKUBA TOKYU HOTEL, WADANO AREA @ 07:40
Please wait at the entrance of the hotel lobby. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

(Winter Only) HAKUBA HAPPO BUS TERMINAL, HAPPO AREA @ 07:55
Please wait inside the bus terminal and stay warm. Please ensure you are at the terminal before the meeting time. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

(Winter Only) BUS LOT NEXT TO HOTEL LA VIGNE, ECHOLAND AREA @ 08:10
Please wait at the bus lot directly next to La Vigne Hakuba, not at the hotel entrance. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on time, so please be punctual to ensure a smooth departure.

*For guests who joined the tour in Hakuba, the bus will then shuttle guests looking to end the tour in Nagano back to Nagano Station, and then will continue onward to the Hakuba area, where your day is scheduled to conclude around 18:30 to 19:00. Due to weather and road conditions in winter, we cannot guarantee the end time of tours. For guests who want to book onward travel including train tickets during winter, please refer to 'Other Information' below for our recommendations. Please note that it is the responsibility of each guest to secure their own way back to their specific hotel after being dropped off at one of the four possible drop off points in Hakuba, as our large bus cannot drop off at individual accommodations.

Start time

09:10:00

End point

Tour concludes at Nagano Station, where the guide will say their goodbyes (guests returning to Hakuba will then be shuttled back to Hakuba with an estimated arrival time of 18:30-18:45)*.

*While we expect to have all tours conclude on time, we cannot guarantee this in winter due to weather and road conditions. Please refer to our 'Other Information' when making bookings for onward travel.

What To Expect

Expect a memorable 1-day Nagano tour combining Japan’s famous Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, sake tasting, and local cuisine. Explore Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, before enjoying a delicious Nagano-style lunch and learning about Japanese sake with a guided tasting, including a non-alcoholic option. Then, travel to Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to the world-famous Japanese snow monkeys, where you can see these unique wild macaques relaxing in natural hot springs. Led by a local English-speaking guide, this Nagano day trip offers a perfect introduction to the region’s culture, history, food, and iconic winter wildlife.

Morning: Sacred Legends at Zenkoji Temple

Explore one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist sites with a local expert. Your journey begins at Nagano Station (09:35), where your guide leads you to the spiritual heart of the region. As a registered National Treasure, Zenkoji is home to a "Secret Buddha" so sacred it is hidden from public view.

The Guided Experience: Discover the 1,400-year history and hidden myths of the main hall.
Your Free Time: Use your leisure time to browse traditional shops or experience the temple's most unique ritual.
Pro Tip: If you're feeling adventurous during your free time, your guide can show you where to enter the "Key to Paradise" (Okaidan Meguri). This optional experience takes you into a pitch-black tunnel beneath the altar to search for a "key" to salvation (small entry fee applies).

Midday: Sake Tasting & Seasonal Nagano Flavors

Delve into Japan’s most famous beverage at a historic local brewery. Nagano’s pristine mountain water makes it the perfect home for world-class sake. Your guide will lead you through a curated tasting, introducing you to the complex flavor profiles and brewing techniques of the region.

The Lunch: Settle in for a meal designed to highlight Nagano’s renowned food culture.
Seasonal Menus: Enjoy warming hot pots in winter or fresh mountain vegetables during the spring and autumn months. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available.

Afternoon: The Snow Monkeys of Hell’s Valley

Observe the world’s only troop of macaques known to bathe in hot springs. After lunch, we head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. A peaceful 1.6km (1 mile) forest trail leads you into the dramatic "Hell’s Valley," where no barriers separate you from the wild monkeys.

Up-Close Observation: Watch the troop soak, play, and interact in their natural habitat.
Expert Insights: Your guide provides deep context on the troop's social structures—don’t forget your camera for those iconic close-range shots!

Your guide will introduce these truly curious creatures and provide you time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. Make sure to bring your camera as you`re going to need it!

The Return Journey

Relax on our private transport as we head back toward the city. The tour concludes at Nagano Station at around 17:30. For winter guests joining from Hakuba, our dedicated shuttle continues onward with an estimated arrival between 18:30 and 18:45.























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    • There will be a significant amount of walking required (1.6 km one way) to get to and from the Snow Monkey Park, along an unsealed forest trail so please wear appropriate shoes/boots.

    • This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travellers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.

    • This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train depending on the season and size of the group.

    • From mid-December until early-April the trail and park are likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing. If required, rental boots are available close to the monkey park and crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased. From mid-December until early-March please wear suitable clothing for temperatures potentially below 0°C (and as low as -10°C).

    • During the winter it is common to see the monkeys enjoying the hot spring however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.

    • There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park.

    • *Winter only* Guests in Hakuba can join this tour using our shuttle service from / to Hakuba Tokyu Hotel in Wadano, Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and Hakuba Base Camp in Echoland. This service is only available from December to March and may not be available every day between those dates. We apologize that bookings from / to Hakuba cannot be accepted outside of these dates. When using this shuttle service please note that your guide will join and depart the tour at Nagano Station.

    • *Winter only* This tour is scheduled to conclude at Nagano Station by 17:30 (and by 18:45 for guests joining from Hakuba in winter). However, due to weather and road conditions in winter we cannot guarantee the end time. For guests booking shinkansen tickets to travel to Tokyo after the tour in winter, we ask that you do not book any service earlier than the 17:56 Kagayaki (reservation only) or our recommendation of the 18:23 Hakutaka. For guests booking onward tickets to other destinations we also recommend doing so for times of 18:00 or later.

    • This tour includes lunch designed to highlight the best of Nagano. The restaurant location and menu are subject to differ based on the season. Please note that the lunch may be different than images shown on this page.

    • This tour includes 'sake' tasting at Yoshinoya Sake Brewery (nearby the temple). You must be a minimum of 20 years of age to consume alcohol in Japan.

    • Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included, and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs. We also cannot guarantee that a seat on the tour transport will be available for infants and they may be required to sit in the lap of an adult, especially during winter i.e. from December to March.

    • Booking cut-off time is an hour before the pickup time on the day.

    • Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.

    • Please note that it is the responsibility of each guest to secure their own way back to their specific hotel after being dropped off at one of the four possible drop off points in Hakuba during the winter period, as our large bus cannot drop off at individual accommodations.

    • This tour operates daily through August 2028. The schedule from September 2028 onward is TBA.

    • SNOW MONKEY RESORTS