Walking to see snow monkeys in the Jigokudani Monkey Park was like a dream come true. After seeing the iconic image of the Japanese snow monkeys we had finally achieved our goal to see them with our own eyes, and they did not disappoint. The group of 30 to 40 monkeys was fascinating to observe – like seeing a documentary in real life. We loved watching the behaviours of the dominant male, the cheeky baby monkeys and the nurturing mother monkeys.
The aim of this article is to help you plan your visit to see the snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park. You can visit Jigokudani Monkey Park quite easily from either Tokyo or Nagano as either an overnight visit or a long day trip. You can travel there either by using a tour option or independently. My recommended option is to plan to visit the area at least overnight as the snow monkeys do not visit every day, so that gives you two days of options to see them.
Where is Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in the Nagano Prefecture and is approximately 260km north west from Tokyo. See the map below for further details. The shinkansen journey from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station takes approximately 1:30 hours each way. You then need to change trains (or start your journey) at Nagano Station on the train to Yudanaka Station which is an approximately 50 minute journey. Overall from Tokyo that means a journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours each way.
How to Get to Jigokudani Monkey Park From Tokyo and Nagano
The best option to get to Jigokudani Monkey park from Tokyo is using the Shinkansen or bullet train. Options include English speaking tour options, overnight options and independent travel which are detailed below.
English Speaking Snow Monkey Tours From Tokyo and Nagano
The best English speaking tour options to see the snow monkeys are for tours commencing from Nagano. To get to Nagano from Tokyo you can catch a speedy shinkansen as detailed above so plan for an early start.
Snow Monkey, Zenkoji Temple and Sake Day Tour from Nagano Station
If you only have one day to visit the snow monkeys I recommend this one day tour which you can easily book through Voyagin. Voyagin is a Japan based online travel agency and is a very reputable company.
Your booking includes a visit to the snow monkeys, followed by a visit to Zenkoji Temple and a Sake brewery in Nagano. From Nagano Station the tour starts at 9.35am and finishes at 5pm at Nagano Station. This tour is conducted all year round.
Visitors staying in Yudanaka, Shibu Onsen or Kanbayashi Onsen are able to join the tour in those areas rather than travel to JR Nagano Station. Guests staying in Yudanaka and Shibu can meet the tour at JR Yudanaka Station while guests staying in Kanbayashi Onsen can meet the tour at Enza Cafe in Kanbayashi.
Click here to check One Day Tour prices and availability through Get Your Guide
Two Day Snow Monkey and Nagano Private Tour with Guide, Private Vehicle and Overnight at Ryokan from Nagano Station
A great option to make the most of your trip is to book into a two day private tour to see the snow monkeys, explore Nagano and also have some free time to explore. With the bonus of staying in a traditional Ryokan overnight!
From Nagano Station this tour starts between 9.00am and 9.30am and finishes at Nagano Station later the following day. Your booking includes an optional add on to purchase your Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Nagano and return.
You can also add on optional extras including explore neighboring areas such as Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi or Hakuba.
Click here to check Two Day Tour prices and availability through Viator
Combining Your Visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park with an Onsen Town Visit
If you are also interested in visiting an Onsen town during your trip to Japan, you will be pleased to hear that you can combine the two activities together. The beautiful Shibu Onsen is also close to Jigokudani Monkey Park – you actually drive through it to get to the snow monkeys and the entrance to the Snow Monkey Park is only 2km away – and there are many traditional Ryokans available. If you stay in one of the local Ryokans you are then provided with a key which enables you to access the ten hot springs around the township area.
On our visit we stayed in the Senshinkan Matsuya Ryokan for two nights and had a lovely visit. The owners will pick you up on arrival at Yudanaka station, and will also drive you to Jigokudani Monkey Park – you just have to use a taxi or bus for your return trip. They will also drop you back to Yudanaka Station when you depart. Senshinkan Matsuya is suitable for individuals, couples and families with traditional rooms which can accommodate up to five people with shared bathrooms.
Senshinkan Matsuya provides you with traditional yakuta robes, wooden geta sandals and also provide a traditional Japanese breakfast. You can also order a special Japanese banquet dinner to make the most of your special visit.
Booking.com
If you are travelling in winter and plan to go skiing the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is a 25 minute drive and Heiwa Kannon is a 15 minute walk from Senshinkan Matsuya.
If you consider other Ryoken options in the Yamanouchi township, carefully check whether they are part of the Shibu Onsen collective as only a select group of Ryokans will provide you with key access to the ten hot springs.
Independent Travel to Jigokudani Monkey Park from Tokyo and Nagano
The shinkansen enables you to travel from Tokyo to Nagano Station which is an approximately 1:30 hr journey in comfort. You then need to change trains (or start your journey) at Nagano Station on the train to Yudanaka Station which is an approximately 50 minute journey. Overall from Tokyo that means a journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours each way. of note is that the train between Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station is the Nagano Dentetsu Line which is not included in Japan Rail Passes. Use Google Maps to see the timetable options.
Two Day Snow Monkey Pass
An option which is available between 1 December and April each year is to purchase a Two Day Snow Monkey Pass, which includes one day unlimited use of the Nagano Dentestu Line, the Nagaden Express Bus, the Local Nagaden Bus and free admission to the Snow Monkey Park (single entry) for a cost of 3600 yen for adults and 1800 Yen for children aged 6-12 years old. This pass is valid for two consecutive calendar days. The pass can be purchased at Nagano Dentetsu’s Nagano Station, Gondo Station, Suzaka Station, Obuse Station and Yudanaka Station
Local Train Options to Visit Snow Monkeys
From Yudanaka Station you can engage a taxi or take a local bus to take you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park car park, which is a 5km or 15 minute drive. You can then visit the park – I would personally allow at least two hours to walk in and out and also have time to view the monkeys at your leisure. Then use the taxi or the local bus and trains to return to Nagano and Tokyo. Click on this link to see details about the local minibus option from either Yudanaka Station or Shibu Onsen township.
Yudanaka Station services the township of Yamanouchi which is a hot spring or onsen town, so you may want to plan to have lunch and also use one of the public onsens before you return to Tokyo or Nagano.
Express Shiga Kogen Bus Line
An alternative option to travel from Nagano Station to Jigokudani Money Park is to catch the Express Shiga Kogen Bus Line which has a stop at Jigokudani Monkey Park and a trip time of around 40 minutes each way.
This bus line runs all year round, and has both a summer and winter timetable. In summer the service typically runs three times a day in each direction and in winter the service runs 11 times a day in each direction. Here is the link to the latest bus timetable.
About Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park was established in 1964 in the Nagano prefecture as a place to come and watch the wild Japanese Macaque monkeys bathe in the hot springs. Jigokudani means ‘Hell Valley’ and was named due to the steep cliffs and the steam from the hot springs. The valley sits at an altitude of 850m (2790 ft) and in winter over one meter (3.3 ft) of snow is on the ground and temperatures can be as low as -10C (14 F).
The snow monkeys are wild and therefore may not appear every day, however the local park rangers do feed the monkeys which encourages them to come to the hot springs area each day. The monkeys live in the area so you can see them all year round, however their presence is not guaranteed. Obviously if the weather is hot they are less likely to bathe in the hot springs, but will still congregate and play around the hot spring area! Jigokudani Monkey Park has a Facebook Page which includes the latest information about how frequently the monkeys visit the site and also when they typically arrive. If you are planning to visit the snow monkeys I recommend that you Like their page to get the latest information.
It is important to remember that the Japanese Macaque monkeys are wild animals and there are no fences between them and visitors to the park. The park rules for visitors to stay safe are as follows:
- Do not show or give food to the monkeys
- Do not touch the monkeys (even if they are close to you) – if they are that close carefully step away from them
- Do not stare into the monkey’s eyes – that indicates hostility
- No dogs, cats or other animals are allowed in the park
- Photos (including flash photography) and videos are allowed, but do not place your equipment (or yourself) too close to the monkeys
- Do not use selfie sticks
When visiting Jigokudani Monkey Park, from the car park you first have to walk up the hill on a pathway to the entrance of the park, a gentle walk of approximately 5-10 minutes. You then pay your entrance fee (800 Yen for adults and 400 Yen for children). From there you then continue to walk up the valley beside the stream for approximately 15-20 minutes before arriving at the hot spring area. If you visit in winter ensure that you are wearing suitable footwear and clothing.
I hope you have a great time visiting the snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park – we had a great time and you should too!
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Anne Sutherland-Smith is the creative force behind Pretraveller.com, a travel blog that specializes in offering insightful guidance for exploring Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her passion for these diverse and dynamic regions shines through in her expert advice, particularly in helping travellers stay connected with the latest in SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs.
With an unquenchable thirst for Asian and Oceanian cultures, Anne has carved out a niche as a knowledgeable guide for those venturing into the bustling streets of Tokyo, the historical alleys of Kyoto, the vibrant scenes of Seoul, the scenic landscapes of Australia, the vibrant markets of Hong Kong, or the futuristic cityscape of Singapore. Her articles are full of practical tips and detailed information, ensuring travellers are well-equipped for their journeys.
Anne’s approach is grounded in providing reliable, authoritative travel content that enhances the travel experience. From navigating the complexities of digital connectivity on the go to immersing in the local culture, her advice is designed to make travel both enjoyable and seamless.
The parks look great, plus the meals…wow! Bet the experience there was awesome.
Thanks David, it was an amazing experience.
very useful info! thank you
Thanks Camille, I appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for the useful information Anne – I’m going for 4 days (Feb-19), so will get to see them a lot – staying in Yudanaka for the whole time. The train timetable has helped meplan the final stage.
Great, we hope you have a lovely visit!