The Jigokudani Monkey Park is a fantastic place to visit during the winter months when the monkeys use the waters. A day tour is easily arranged as part of a ski or snowboard trip to Hakuba Ski Resort, also located in Nagano prefecture. The Hakuba Valley Lift Pass allows for 1-2 rest days on your pass to take a break from skiing and enable you to do the day trips guilt-free, either at the beginning, middle, or end of your stay in Hakuba.
The trip from Hakuba takes about one and a half hours including a rest stop en route. The bus journey itself is part of the appeal, rambling through the scenic mountainous area of traditional Nagano prefecture, as an English-speaking guide explains the history of the local farmers and architecture. Upon arrival at the park, it is a 30-minute walk through the forest to where the monkeys reside. Following the monkey park, the tour includes a set lunch in the historic town of Obuse, followed by a trip to the famous Zenkoji Temple in Nagano city, before heading back to Hakuba.
SNOW MONKEY AND ZENKOJI TEMPLE DAY TOUR
A full-day group cultural tour from Hakuba visiting the world-famous Snow Monkey Hot Springs and Zenkoji Buddhist Temple, with traditional Japanese lunch in the historic town of Obuse. This Hakuba day tour includes all transportation, English speaking guide, entry fee to Monkey Park, a traditional Japanese set-lunch, and visit to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano city. This tour is not to be missed!
Tour Information
20 December 2025 – 30 March 2026.
Tour runs daily from Dec through Feb except for 1st Jan. Tour runs every Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat in March.
Tour departs: 08:00 and ends 17:30.
Lunch menu selection: Vegetarian, Fish, Beef. (Child lunch is set)
2025-26 Rates
¥18,000 per adult
¥12,000 per child 3-11
Children 0-2 can join the tour without coach seat or lunch.
FURTHER INFO