Green Season Snow Monkeys: Baby Monkeys & Scenic Forest Walk

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

   (13:50~14:40) The journey to the park involves a scenic 2km walk along an unpaved forest trail, surrounded by majestic cedar trees, offering a true immersion into Japan’s pristine nature. The park itself is relatively compact; one hour is usually more than enough to see everything. However, please remember these are wild animals. You may encounter monkeys on the trail before even reaching the park entrance. We strongly recommend heading straight into the park first to see the main hot spring area. If you spend too much time with monkeys outside the gates, your time inside may be cut short. For a unique experience, look across the river from the park to the historic inn. In winter, you can often see monkeys and overnight guests sharing the outdoor bath! This facility also offers day-trip bathing for ¥1,500. If your timing is perfect, you might even find yourself soaking in the hot spring alongside a curious snow monkey. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

   110 minutes here · Admission included

2. Sake Storehouse Art Museum - Gallery Tamamura Honten

   [CLOSED on Sundays & New Year's Holiday] (15:45~16:00) Established in 1805, this historic brewery boasts a legacy spanning over 220 years. Tamamura Honten produces both the award-winning traditional sake "Engi" and the pioneer of Japan’s craft beer scene, "Shiga Kogen Beer." Part of the magnificent 150-year-old wooden structure has been beautifully preserved and transformed into an art gallery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the owner’s curated art collection while enjoying tastings and shopping. Experience more than just a brewery, discover a true sanctuary of Japanese culture.

   15 minutes here

3. Shibu Onsen

   [STORES are CLOSED on WEDNESDAYS] (16:00~16:40) With 1,350 years of history, Shibu Onsen is one of Nagano's oldest hot spring towns. Traditional wooden ryokans and stone-paved streets create a nostalgic atmosphere, with retro game parlors, shrines, and temples. Keep an eye out—local wild monkeys also live here, scurrying across the rooftops! The town is famous for its nine communal onsens (Soto-yu). It is a local tradition to collect stamps from all nine onsens on a special "Tenugui" towel; completing the set is said to grant a wish. While these onsens are locked for overnight guests, visitors can experience the main onsen, O-yu, by purchasing a ticket for ¥800. Shibu Onsen’s charm lies in its maze-like back alleys. On our tour, an expert guide will lead you through these secret paths, following the ultimate route designed to showcase the very best of Shibu Onsen’s historic charm without getting lost.

   40 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• Iiyama Station Pickup

  Duration: 5 hours: Winter (Dec~Mar): Depart 13:20 / Return 17:10 (4 hours) Green Season (Apr~Nov): Depart 13:20 / Return 17:40 (4.5 hours)

• Nozawa Onsen Pickup

  Duration: 5 hours: Winter (Dec~Mar): Depart 13:00 / Return 17:30 (4.5 hours) Green Season (Apr~Nov): Depart 13:00 / Return 18:00 (5 hours) Starting point: Nozawa Onsen (Chuo Terminal), Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan

Before you book

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

IXSM Travel

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• It is not allowed to bring Luggage (No luggage space in a vehcile). Please use coin lockers or storage service at the tourist information center in Iiyama Station..
• No eating inside the vehicle
• In the event of damages (vomiting etc.) which require the vehicle to be out of service for a duration and are caused by your party, a fee of up to ¥30,000 may be incurred.
• Pickup time at Iiyama Station may be delayed if the participants are not coming on time at the first pickup point, Nozawa Onsen.
• Rain gears are needed to be arranged by paricipants.
• Return time at Iiyama Station will be 17:10~17:30 (Purchasing a train ticket before 17:30 is not recommended, the return time is subject to change depending on delays/weather conditions)
• Return time at Nozawa Onsen will be 17:30~18:00 (subject to change depending on delays/condition of day)
• Most shops in Shibu Onsen are closed on Wednesdays
• Tamamura Honten (the brewery) is closed on Sundays
• Please be aware that a medium level of fitness is required for about 2 km walk (one-way) to/from the park and anther 2 km walking tour in Shibu Onsen
• The type of vehicle for the tour depends on the number of participants and can not be confirmed until the tour date.
• The monkeys in the park are wild animals, and their appearance in the park is not guaranteed. In particular, the probability of seeing them drops significantly during October and November
• Please be ready at the boarding point at least 5 minutes before departure. The bus will depart strictly on time. Please note that no refunds will be provided for any reason if you miss the departure.
• Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking for 2km (30 mins) to/from the Monkey Park (Total 4 km / 1 hr)
• Not recommended for families with infants or small children during winter, due to the added difficulty of the walk up to the monkey park. We also are unable to take strollers onto the bus. For customers who have small children, we recommend the Private Tour.

Photos

Traveler reviews

75 verified traveler reviews for Green Season Snow Monkeys: Baby Monkeys & Scenic Forest Walk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.