1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake worth booking?
1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake is a 8-hour experience in Nagano, Japan, from $145 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (42)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $145 per person
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a morning visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys, followed by a warming winter lunch and af
What you get
About this experience
Take in some of the highlights of Nagano with this engaging tour starting with a morning visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and its world-famous hot spring-bathing monkeys, followed by a warming winter lunch and afternoon exploration of Zenko-ji - one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. Led by a locally-based English-speaking guide and including a sake tasting experience to bring the tour to an indulgent conclusion this tour is a great way to enjoy the best of Nagano in winter!
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Guided 'sake'-tasting
- Transport from / to Nozawa Onsen and all listed destinations
- Guided tour at Zenko-ji Temple
- Jigokudani Monkey Park entry ticket
Not included
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
- Optional entrance fee to the inner sanctuary of Zenko-ji Temple
- Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets
- Accommodation
What you'll see and do
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Established in 1964, Nagano's world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don't worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as the walk about you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favourite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself. Please note that estimated time at the monkey park includes walking in and out along the forest trail - 1.6km each way / 35-minutes each way in winter. We endeavour to give our guests 1 hour in the park to observe the monkeys however this depends on your pace in and out of the park. Please also note that during winter the trail and park will be affected by snow and ice so please ensure you wear good quality shoes or boots.
120 minutes here · Admission included
The tour includes a warming winter lunch at 'Japanese Dining GOEN'. Located around 5 minutes drive from the monkey park, GOEN serves a tasty selection of Japanese and Western favourites with your choice of different rice bowls such as 'oyakadon' (chicken and egg), 'kaisen' (seafood) or 'tempura' (lightly battered and fried vegetables) with a side serve of hot 'soba' (buckwheat noodles) and more!
50 minutes here
Zenko-ji Temple
As one of the oldest, largest, and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, Zenko-ji is the spiritual heart of Nagano. A registered National Treasure, the temple's near-1400 year history is full of legend and myth which your guide will help you unlock as they guide you around the temple precinct followed by time to explore for yourself (time-permitting).
90 minutes here
Nagano is Japan's second largest producer of 'sake', meaning no trip to the region is complete without sampling some of the local breweries. Your guide will introduce to the complex and warm world of sake with a guided tasting. Non-alcoholic options are also available.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Nagano
Your guide will meet you at the Chuo Bus Terminal at 09:00 and will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please be at the meetup point early so that the tour can depart on-time.
Meeting point
Nagano
Your guide will meet you at the hotel entrance at 08:50 and will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please note, this is group tour, not a private tour and your guide will not have time to search for you / call your room. Please be at the entrance early so that the tour can depart on-time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Start from Nozawa Grand Hotel
Starting point: Nozawa Grand Hotel, 8888 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan
Start from Chuo Bus Terminal
Starting point: Chuo Terminal, 県道 38 号線, 豊郷 野沢温泉村 下高井郡 長野県 389-2502, Japan
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking including to and from the monkey park along a 1.6km (1 mile), unsealed forest trail. Please sure your footwear is approriate and you are dressed accordingly for the season.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travels. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
- Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time.
- There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
- 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, arrive late or leave early. While this is unlikely, it is possible and outside of our control.
- This tour includes lunch at 'Japanese Dining GOEN', a popular local restaurant. On rare occasions it may not be possible to use this restaurant in which case we would switch to another, comparable location. Please note that the restaurant may change their menu from time-to-time and the tour lunch may different to images shown on this page.
- This tour is scheduled to conclude at Nozawa Onsen by 18:00. However, due to weather and road conditions in winter we cannot guarantee the end time.
- All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Snow monkey delight.
I had a wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed all the different experiences provided. It was great seeing the snow monkeys in their environment. The Nagano temple was so interesting specially with Jen’s informing us. Jens was an excellent guide - professional, organised and very knowledgeable. He was caring and helpful and kept an eye on everyone to make sure things were going well. I would definitely recommend this tour. It was a highlight of my trip to Japan.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your kind words! We are absolutely honored to hear that our tour was a highlight of your trip to Japan. Jens takes great care in making sure everyone in the group feels looked after and informed, so it is wonderful to know his professional and caring approach made such an impact on your day. We’re glad you enjoyed the delight of the monkeys and the history of Zenkoji! We hope the rest of your travels are just as memorable. Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
via Tripadvisor
Thoroughly recommended
This was an excellent tour, small group, lead by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Lin. Loads of interesting information on the way to se the snow monkeys then plenty of time to enjoy them. It was a very cold day so most of us had decamped down the road for a surprisingly good coffee, then walked down the hill to a truly charming inn where we had our set lunch. This was again something of a surprise - excellent food in a beautiful space. Miso soup, tempura and sushi followed by individual hotpots, significantly better food than that experienced on an entire food tour in Tokyo. After lunch an interesting visit to Nagano and famous temple then a fun sake tasting, in all a great tour expertly lead.
Response from the operator: Dear Fiona, What an incredible compliment! Hearing that our lunch was a highlight compared to a full food tour in Tokyo is a huge win for our local chefs. We are so glad you enjoyed our lunch venue at Hotarutei; there’s nothing like a hotpot to warm you up after a cold morning at the park! Lin was absolutely delighted to hear your feedback. She loves sharing those extra layers of history on the way to the monkeys, and she’s thrilled you had such a fun time at the sake tasting. We hope that you come back to Nagano or Japan sometime soon so we can see you again! Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour
Dillion was an amazing guide. His deep knowledge was put to the test by our endless curiosity. If he didn’t know the answer he knew who to ask. We had a wonderful day that just kept getting better. We expected the snow monkeys to be the highlight and they certainly were, but the rest of the day was just as fascinating. Lunch was delicious and the conversation never slowed. The temple tour was quite interesting and Dillion shared his knowledge and personal experience freely. We bumped in to another tour group and their guide learned a few tidbits from Dillion. We enjoyed a little free time to explore and sampled a few treats at the temple complex. The final highlight was learning about the Sake brewing process and sampling a variety of excellent variations. A truly informative and adventurous day.
via Viator
Great value. Well run.
Thoroughly enjoyed the walk to snow monkey park and the apple pie after. The temple tour was outside my interest though I loved the buildings. Sake tasting was fun. Overall a great day & very good value. Maybe 9 hours was a bit long (at least for me)
via Viator
Such a fun tour and our...
Such a fun tour and our guide Lin made it even better! I’d do the whole tour over again when I come back !
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $145 to $21800
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.), who run 124 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.8 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.) runsWhy this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Nagano.
How much does 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake cost?
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Prices start at $145 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Nagano usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Nagano is not rushed.
Is 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 42 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Nagano, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Nagano can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Nagano and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Nagano within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Nagano?
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On Outty we rank every Nagano experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle, 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano, Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Nagano?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Nagano?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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