Seeing the Japanese snow monkeys in Nagano is a fabulous experience, especially if you can time your visit for a snowy winters day when you will see their natural area at its best. It’s reasonably easy to do this as an independent day trip from Tokyo. Let us show you how.
I tried everything to shuffle our schedule to allow an overnight in Nagano to see the Snow Monkeys. No matter how much I reshuffled the plan I couldn’t fit that extra night into the timetable. To make it work I planned a day trip from Tokyo, a long day but perfectly possible and it allowed us plenty of time with the monkeys without feeling rushed. This was probably one of my best days in Japan and I would recommend it to anyone. We enjoy hiking and nature so being able to incorporate that into the cultural aspect and experiencing powder snow for the first time was fantastic.
The day trip is ideal if you’re travelling with a JR Pass. The cost of using single tickets is quite high for a day trip but I would have done it to make it work, it was an experience I really wanted to have. The JR Pass doesn’t fully cover the transport but the additional portion is relatively low.
We find the Shinkansen a relaxing way to travel so although you’re out of bed early you can chill out or even catch up on your sleep if you aren’t bothered about missing the scenery outside your window.
You can buy food on the train or my preferred option is to stop at the bakery (breakfast) or grab a Bento box for eating on the train in the evening. While you shouldn’t really eat on commuter buses and trains it’s perfectly acceptable to take food and hot drinks onto long-distance trains in Japan. If you can’t face the coffee in a can from the vending machine there is usually a Starbucks around the station somewhere.
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The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani
These photos were taken at Jigokudani in the north of Nagano prefecture. Located on the edge of the national park this large group of monkeys are regularly found along the trail and particularly in winter enjoying a soak in the onsen (hot pool). In the mid-1960s two groups of monkeys were regularly in the area and were seen squeezing into a small pool in a rock crevice where hot water bubbled through.
Locals made the monkeys their own onsen and they’ve been visiting ever since. The monkeys are indifferent to the people watching them bathe, they continue to go about their business; soaking, eating and even fighting without interacting with those snapping a few photos of them mid-soak. Every time I look at these photos I want to go back.
Getting to the Snow Monkeys in Japan
From Tokyo
This will depend on where you are staying. Unless you’re within walking distance of JR station you’ll probably need to take the subway first. We were staying at the Hotel New Otani in Akasaka where we have based ourselves a few times. It’s an 8-minute ride on the Marunouchi line to Tokyo station. Tokyo station is well sign-posted in English but it’s a very large station so it’s worth adding a few extra minutes to navigate your way around it if you haven’t got your bearings yet. We saved a bit of time on the day by having our Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets pre-booked which is a free service to JR Pass holders.
Having a map of JR station if you’re not familiar with it is helpful. You will also probably pick up a Tokyo subway map when you arrive but here is the electronic version.
From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen ASAMA or Kagayaki service to Nagano city. If you are day tripping like we did it is worth making an early start, we took the 6.24am Asama 501 and it gets in at 8.04am. It’ll take around 90 minutes and Y8000 for the 222km journey. If you have the JR Pass this part of the trip is covered by that.
A great tool for planning your trip is the Hypedia website, it’s in English and when you plug in your starting and ending stations and any other constraints like transport type, times etc it will give you all the route options and costs. If you are using the JR Pass and are on JR trains such as the bullet train (shinkansen) the price is covered by your existing ticket.
From Nagano Station
There are a variety of options from here but there are two I recommend:
- Local transport – the Nagaden train and a 5-minute bus trip.
- The express bus (tourist coach).
There are advantages and disadvantages to each and your choice will depend on your travel preferences and the experience you’re after.
The express bus is almost exclusively used by foreign tourists and is a slightly faster option to get out there. On the downside, it offers less flexibility in your schedule and it can feel a little being on a tour when it’s busy and a big group pile off the bus at the same time headed to the exact same place.
The Snow Monkey 1-day-pass
With either of these two options, if you are departing from and returning to the Nagano station area on the same day this pass can offer good value, convenience and simplicity. It costs Y2900 for the full day and includes all your transport for either option plus entry to the snow monkey park which is a good saving, about 12% discount for the basic trip and park entry. You will need to purchase your pass with cash, credit cards weren’t accepted.
Where to buy your pass or tickets
The company providing both bus and train transport to the area is Nagaden and their station and ticket office is located adjacent to the JR Nagano station.
Head out of the Zenkoji exit and turn right, walk along the front of the station, don’t cross the road and the entrance will be down some stairs directly in front of you. It’s very close and only takes a couple of minutes from arriving at the shinkansen platform. There are lockers in Nagano station if you need them.
Making the trip by local transport
Take the Nagano Dentetsu limited express train to Yudanaka station. Yamanouchi town is 45 minutes away and if you prefer to buy individual tickets they will cost Y1260 for the 33km journey and as it is a different company they aren’t covered by the JR pass.
Look for the Nagaden line at the station and if possible take the limited express which means you stop at only 3 not 23 stops. The train doesn’t go that often so this map should help find quickly your way from the Shinkansen to the Nagaden line to make the connection.
From Yudanaka station take the local bus. Finding the right bus at the station was easy, they line up with the times to the train arrival but knowing when to get off can be more difficult if you don’t speak Japanese. It will take around 15 minutes and costs Y250 to Kanbayashi Onsen and then a walk through the village to the trailhead.
Even in light snow, the walk wasn’t a problem, probably partly because of the novelty value. If you don’t speak Japanese watch the time on the bus and the scenery closely out the left-hand window, we got distracted and went past our stop the first time and had to backtrack. Alternatively, show the picture of the snow monkey on your pass to the driver when you get on at the station and sit near the front, he will stop and indicate for you to get off at the right stop.
Making the trip by the express bus
The bus is a comfortable coach similar to the airport service where luggage can be stored underneath and the seats are more spacious and comfortable for a longer trip than a local bus. If you buy individual tickets rather than the pass it will cost Y1400 each way. The bus you want has Shiga Kogen for its final destination but you will get off at Kanbayashi Onsen and walk up to the trailhead from there. The bus takes about 45 minutes.
A Japanese snow monkey tour
If you’re looking for a guided tour this is a great option with Snow Monkey Resorts. They will pick you up from Nagano station and deliver you back for your train back to Tokyo or on to your next destination.
It includes transport within Nagano and a knowledgable English speaking guide. You’ll visit the snow monkeys, eat lunch at a local restaurant, visit the dramatic Zenkoji Temple and enjoy a sake tasting while learning about this uniquely Japanese drink.
The walk in to see the Snow Monkeys
Once you are at Kanbayashi Onsen you walk up the snow-covered road for about 1.5 kilometres. You’ll pass a small shrine to your left and continue until a trail breaks off through the trees, there’s a huge signpost there so you won’t miss it. For the next 1.6 kilometres, the path winds through red pine and Japanese Larch forest to Jigokudani (Hell Valley). All up it is only about a 3km walk. Entry is Y500 and there are lockers so you can put your bag and any food you have with you there to avoid upsetting the monkeys.
How to behave around the wild Snow Monkeys
The snow monkeys of Jigakudani are wild, when food is scarce the staff hide supplemental feed in the snow for the monkeys to forage in a natural way. To ensure they remain safe and allow them to retain their natural behaviour you are asked to follow a few simple rules.
- Don’t make eye contact, for monkeys a direct stare can be taken as hostile behaviour.
- Don’t feed the monkeys or take food down to the area where the monkeys are, leave it at the lockers. You’ll pass monkeys on the trail in, they won’t bother you for food.
- Don’t touch the snow monkeys or interact in any way
- Don’t talk loudly, run or act in a way likely to scare or threaten the monkeys.
We love to include wildlife experiences when we travel and seeing the snow monkeys in Japan was completely different from encountering monkeys in many other parts of Asia. What’s the most memorable animal encounter you’ve had in your travels?
Deasy
Tuesday 3rd of January 2023
Very informative comment thanks a lot for sharing. From reading, I guess it's not a good idea to go with less than 2 years old?? Do you have any info? Or anyone who has experience going there with infant? TIA
Toni Broome
Wednesday 4th of January 2023
I'm in awe of those who manage to get out the door with a toddler let alone travel internationally but I have no personal experience. I feel doing it from Tokyo as we did would be too much but hopefully, other readers who have done it with children and will be able to share their experiences.
Melissa
Sunday 27th of November 2022
Hi, my family would like to see the snow monkeys and also go on a snow mobile in Hakuba in January 2023, as a day trip from Tokyo. We have been quoted ¥85500 for a private car to take us to the Snow monkeys from Nagano station and then to take us to Hakuba and then back to Nagano station, so that we can take the train back to Tokyo. Are there any other private operators that can take us to these 2 locations that are more affordable? Or alternatively we could start with Snow mobile in Hakuba then to the snow monkeys and to Nagano station. But I’m not sure how long it would take from Nagano station to Hakuba.
Toni Broome
Sunday 27th of November 2022
Hi Melissa. Sorry but I don't have a recommendation for a private driver in the area. The Habuka snowmobile ride sounds like a lot of fun but it's not something I've seen included in any packaged day tours, I'd love to know what you think of it. The itinerary will cover quite a distance, the snow monkeys are roughly an hour's drive east of the station while Hakuba is about an hour west of the station, maybe 3 3/4 hours total driving time. Have a fabulous trip!
Kate
Sunday 23rd of October 2022
Will monkeys be seen mid-December?
Toni Broome
Tuesday 25th of October 2022
Hi Kate. The monkeys can be seen in the forest all year round but the snow and colder weather seem to be the trigger for them gathering in and around the onsen bath in groups. Snow has usually started in Nagano during December although the heavier falls are in January and February. You would have a good chance of seeing them then but as with any wild animals, there is a little luck involved too.
Marianne
Sunday 5th of January 2020
Hi there, thankyou so much for your detailed information. we were considering taking a day tour from Hakuba, but would cost us 12000 yen each, times that by 5 and that is a lot of aussie dollars (around $800). I don't think it will be difficult getting to Nagano station from hakuba and by your calculations it will cost us 2900 each to do the nagano/snow monkey leg. so we will have a lot of change to get us to nagano and back. we would welcome any more tips if you have any on your time in japan. we are going to Tokyo Kyoto Hiroshima and khakuba. thanks heaps Marianne
Toni Broome
Monday 6th of January 2020
It's not difficult to get from the ski resort to Nagano station but it's not convenient to do by train because the tracks require a huge detour so you'd use the bus which charges Y2000 for an adult and Y1000 for a child each way and takes 75 minutes. The timetable is here if you want to look at that option.
We aren't skiers but do love winter in Japan, you'll find a lot of information across the site on Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Have a fabulous trip!
Susan Street
Monday 9th of December 2019
Hi, I’m trying to book a day trip from Tokyo to snow monkeys. Your blog was amazing to read. So helpful and full of fantastic detail!!! I’m finding it a little confusing Though to book a return ticket on the Shinkansen. I’m not buying a JR rail pass as we will just be in Tokyo for 4 days 30/12-5/1/20 (Exploring ourselves) and doing this one day trip. What website can I book Shinkansen tickets on? There are so many sites that pop up. Or is it cheaper to buy a jr rail pass instead of the return tickets??
Toni Broome
Tuesday 10th of December 2019
Hi Susan, you're right that the full JR pass won't be economical for this. You can either buy the individual tickets for the specific trip or I would also consider the 5-day JR East Pass for Nagano it is Y17,310 vs Y16,280 for the return ticket from Tokyo to Nagano but you'll be able to use it other JR east trains during your stay within Tokyo, to the airport or other day trips like Nikko or Kamakura.