Getting Around Japan

SNOW MONKEY PARKHome of the hot spring bathing snow monkeys

About Snow Monkey Park

In the mountains of Nagano Prefecture is the habitat of one of Japan’s native animals, the Japanese macaques. This habitat is called Jigokudani, or Valley of Hell in English, named after the volcanic fumes that often can be smelled.The monkeys that roam this valley are famous worldwide for their proclivity of bathing in the area’s hot springs.
Remotely located, people visiting the Park must walk for 30 minutes along a forest trail surrounded by cedar trees until they arrive to the Valley of Hell. Once you can see Korakukan, the only ryokan where you can actually share a bath with the Japanese macaques, the Snow Monkey Park is just a climb on a staircase away.
While the Valley of Hell is not the only place in Japan where you can find Japanese macaques, it is the only place where you can see the macaques bathing in one of the many hot springs in the area.
While the hot spring is the place to see the monkeys lounging in the water in winter, the area down by the river lets you get really close to the monkeys. Not too close of course, as the monkeys that roam the park are still wild animals.
In spite of what the name may imply, the park is open all year round, not just in the seasons with snow. All seasons have different monkey behavior to observe, with baby season in spring, child-rearing in summer, mating season in autumn, and snow season in winter.
There is more to explore in the Snow Monkey area besides the Snow Monkey Park. Only 20 minutes on foot from the Snow Monkey Park trail entrance is the hot spring town of Shibu Onsen. This town has a history of 1300 years and onsen that are said to heal every disease imaginable. 30 minutes away by train is the local cultural hot-spot Obuse where you can learn all about master painter Hokusai, and enjoy local chestnut delicacies.
Shiga Kogen, Japan’s largest ski resort, is the backyard of the Snow Monkey Park. This place is only a 30-minute busride away and a favorite for hikers in summer and for skiers and snowboarders in winter.
Tour to the Snow Monkeys
All of our tours are led by locally-based, English-speaking guides who want to ensure the best possible experience for our guests. In short, we want to give you lots of reasons to visit us again and the best way to do so is to make sure you love your time in Nagano!

General Information

Opening Hours:
Dec. to March・9:00 – 16:00
Apr. to Nov.・8:00 – 17:00

Price:
Per adult (13+)・¥800
Per Child (6-12)・¥400

Phone:
+81-269-33-4379

Address:
6845 Hirao Yamamouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401 

Tours & Charters

Travel Tips

Bus, Train, Charter, or Tour

There are various ways to get to the Snow Monkey Park. You can either go via public transportation, taking the Shinkansen, local train and bus (see option 1 and 2), or via private charter from your location in Japan (option 3). The last option is to participate in one of the various tours departing from Nagano Station (option 4).

 

Option 1: Tokyo Station → Nagano Station → Yudanaka Station → Snow Monkey Park / Kanbayashi bus stop → Snow Monkey Park

1. From Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1.5 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station.

2. From Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station (50 minutes):
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Dentetsu train to bound for Yudanaka Station.

3. Transfer to Nagaden bus (10 minutes):
From Yudanaka Station, get on the bus heading for Kanbayashi Onsen or Shiga Kogen and get off at the Kanbayashi Onsen or Snow Monkey Park bus stop.

4. Walk to the Snow Monkey Park (40 minutes):
Walk up the hill until you see the Snow Monkey Park trail sign. Then, walk on the relatively flat forest trail for 30 to get to the park.

 

Option 2: Tokyo Station → Nagano Station → Snow Monkey Park bus stop → Snow Monkey Park

1. From Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1.5 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station.

2. From Nagano Station to the Snow Monkey Park bus stop (1 hour):
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Dentetsu Express Bus at the East Exit to bound for the Snow Monkey Park.

4. Walk to the Snow Monkey Park (40 minutes):
Walk up the hill until you see the Snow Monkey Park trail sign. Then, walk on the relatively flat forest trail for 30 minutes to get to the park.

 

Option 3: Your location in Central Japan like i.e. Tokyo Station or Nagano Station → Snow Monkey Park
If you want to travel to the Snow Monkey Park in a convenient, comfortable way, a customized private charter from your preferred location in Japan to the Park is the best method of transport.

 

Option 4: Tour from Nagano Station → Snow Monkey Park:
For those wanting a more detailed explanation about the Snow Monkey Park, there are various seasonal tours from JR Nagano Station. These tours not only take you to see the hot spring-bathing macaques, but also to other Nagano Prefecture highlights such as the Zenko-ji Temple.