
Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour worth booking?
Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour is a 8-hour experience in Nagano, Japan, from $200 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 16 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (16)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $200 per person
A full-day trip to Nagano’s snow monkeys and Togakushi Shrine. With a private car and guide, avoid crowds and enjoy local insights. Photos are captured and delivered after the tour. ❑ A Special Experience Visit Jigokuda
What you get
About this experience
A full-day trip to Nagano’s snow monkeys and Togakushi Shrine. With a private car and guide, avoid crowds and enjoy local insights. Photos are captured and delivered after the tour. ❑ A Special Experience Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where in winter monkeys soak in hot springs and in summer play in forests and rivers. Then continue to Togakushi, a spiritual retreat with cedar-lined paths and centuries-old shrines. You’ll avoid crowds, discover local spots, and have moments photographed as lasting gifts. ❑ Why Private? Public transport requires hours and many transfers, while dining options are limited. With a private car and guide, travel is smooth and flexible. The day adapts to your pace, from exploring shrine trails to enjoying a relaxed lunch. ❑ A Personalized Journey Explore with an English-speaking guide, free from crowds or fixed schedules. Local insights enrich the journey, and each special moment is captured for you to keep.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Surcharges on fuel
- Private vehicle with English-speaking guide
- Parking fees
Not included
- Admission is paid on-site, so you get the best price without extra online fees.
What you'll see and do
Snow Monkey Park (jigokudani Yaen Koen)
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, located in the mountains of Nagano, is famous for its wild Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys. These monkeys are known for their unique behavior of soaking in natural hot springs during the cold winter months, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to observe wildlife up close in their natural habitat. Experience: Visitors can enjoy a scenic hike through the forest to reach the park and witness the snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs. It's a chance to see these animals up close and observe their interactions in a stunning natural setting. *At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, visitors enjoy a 30-40-minute scenic walk through the forest to reach the viewing area. *An admission fee is required: Adults: 800 yen, Children: 400 yen. (Children under 6 years old are free of charge.)
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Togakushi Shrine
Togakushi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the mountains northwest of Nagano City. It is famous for its sacred cedar tree-lined path and consists of three main shrine areas: the Lower Shrine (Hokosha), the Middle Shrine (Chusha), and the Upper Shrine (Okusha), each offering different experiences. The area is also known for its connection to ninja history and traditional soba noodles. Experience: Visitors can walk through the ancient cedar avenue leading to the Upper Shrine, offering a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. The shrine is also a great place to learn about Japanese mythology and Shinto practices, and the surrounding area is perfect for hiking. *At Togakushi Shrine, visitors can enjoy a 30-40 minute walk through a beautiful cedar-lined path to reach the Upper Shrine.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Omotenashi Travel Nagano
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
16 verified traveler reviews for Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The BEST tour!!
This tour was nothing short of absolutely AMAZING! Our guide Taketo was the best tour guide we could have asked for! He first took us to the snow monkey park. We saw hundreds of monkeys especially so many little baby monkeys! Next, he took us to a traditional Soba restaurant for lunch which was excellent. Last, we went to the top and bottom shrines which were beautiful. We could not recommend this tour enough and if you get to pick a guide, Taketo is AMAZING!
via Tripadvisor
Good, nice pace, friendly guide
Me and my mum did the snow monkey and togakushi trip wirh Takeshi. He is a very nice tour guide, bringing us to all nice places and even local soba place for lunch. The trip is awesome and we took lots of nice pic and created lots of nice memories
via Tripadvisor
We had a great private...
We had a great private tour with Takaeto, who spoke very good English and made communication easy throughout the day. Despite visiting out of season, we still saw plenty of snow monkeys and appreciated having as much time as we wanted at the park. Togakushi Shrine was peaceful and beautiful, with the walk through the cedar forest being a highlight. We also enjoyed a fantastic soba restaurant popular with locals, which made the experience feel even more authentic. The tour finished with a visit to scenic Kagami-ike Pond, which is more like a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning scenery. To top it off, Takaeto kindly dropped us off near the station as requested, which was especially helpful with our suitcases. Highly recommended!
via Viator
Wouldn't bother unless in winter as its a bit staged.
Honestly, this is raved about and is suggested that it a must see experience. I wouldn't agree with that. It was interesting and we saw a lot of monkeys, however, only 2 went in the water and that was only because there were seeds puts into the pool. I would imagine that it is much better in the winter months with snow around, but in springtime it was a bit of a waste of a day. The only reason the monkeys are coming down from the hill from April onwards is because they are being fed and their appearance is good for tourism.
via Tripadvisor
The tour was very fun, I...
The tour was very fun, I would highly recommend it (especially if you’re an animal lover)! The snow monkeys were so cute. My guide Shuhei made the tour even more fun with his extensive knowledge and stories.
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
- $200 to $60100
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Nagano.
How much does Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $200 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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour 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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 16 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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour?
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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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour 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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour?
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Around 6 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 Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour 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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