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Japan
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Nagano Prefecture
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Nagano
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Tours & Activities
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Explore Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Knowledgeable Local Guide
4 h
With guide
With local
Instant confirmation
About this activity
A visit to the snow monkeys is one of the highlights of a visit to Japan. Jigokudani Yaen-koen is a place to observe the interesting ecology of Japanese monkeys nearby, and many people in the world have loved this place since 1964 when it first opened. Many researchers and photographers has also visit here for the photo opportunity. The monkeys here are known as "Snow Monkeys” because they bathe in the hot springs and no other monkeys in the world do this.
In 1970, they were appeared in the cover of "LIFE" magazine in the U.S. and were reported by the press overseas. Furthermore, in 1998, when the winter Olympic Games were held in Nagano, many athletes, game staff, news media and tourists from foreign countries visited, and made it a big topic.
Soaking in the hot spring is only one part of the monkeys’ lives. Monkeys do not usually soak in the hot spring in the warm season because they soak in the hot spring in order to survive the severe winter weather. The best charm of Jigokudani Yaen-koen is not taking pictures of monkeys, however, but enjoying the ecology of wild monkeys to be able to observe nearby through a year and the rich nature itself of the animals, insects, plants, and so on. Please listen carefully on the walking trail to Jigokudani and you will experience the natural ecology of the area through your five senses!
Itinerary
・Stroll Yumichi walking trail.
・Visit Shibu no Jigokudani funsen.
・Visit Jigokudani Yaen-koen & rest.
・Description of the nature by the guide
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In 1970, they were appeared in the cover of "LIFE" magazine in the U.S. and were reported by the press overseas. Furthermore, in 1998, when the winter Olympic Games were held in Nagano, many athletes, game staff, news media and tourists from foreign countries visited, and made it a big topic.
Soaking in the hot spring is only one part of the monkeys’ lives. Monkeys do not usually soak in the hot spring in the warm season because they soak in the hot spring in order to survive the severe winter weather. The best charm of Jigokudani Yaen-koen is not taking pictures of monkeys, however, but enjoying the ecology of wild monkeys to be able to observe nearby through a year and the rich nature itself of the animals, insects, plants, and so on. Please listen carefully on the walking trail to Jigokudani and you will experience the natural ecology of the area through your five senses!
Itinerary
・Stroll Yumichi walking trail.
・Visit Shibu no Jigokudani funsen.
・Visit Jigokudani Yaen-koen & rest.
・Description of the nature by the guide
Included
- Professional guide
- Foot Spa
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Please join us wearing shoes that are easy to walk in and do not bring heavy baggage because you will walk the mountain paths
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Features
Cultural
40%
Tourism
30%
Adrenaline
30%
Sport
15%
Reviews
We found the overall experience to be just 'okay'. We thought this tour, would be all inclusive. To be clear, you are paying all that money just to have someone walk with you. When you get off the train, you pay for your bus ticket, you pay for your park entry, you pay for your meal. I was under the impression that the tour had a rest stop, or office to put your things, or some kind of behind the scene experience. It was not, literally someone just accompanies you from the train station to the park. I mentioned this to the guide and she said that it says it's not inclusive in the fine print. I went back and re-read everything and could not find where it said that. Travelers could easily do this themselves with no requirement for a guide. The tour seemed extremely rushed trying to make it back to the train station in time, which ended up being extremely stressful with 2 children. However, our guide was very friendly and so accommodating. She did a great job leading us around and answering our questions. She was even generous enough to give me a pair of her socks when mine had gotten wet. There is no question, that she was perfect. It was obvious that she was just doing what her boss had instructed her to do. It was a totally mediocre experience.
Michiko is a wonderful guide. She took us on a great tour of the Snow Monkey park in Jigokudani, helped us with the transportation and made us feel more like friends than just clients. We saw many monkeys up close - even within a foot or two or our legs. They are not at all afraid of humans. In addition to the pictures we took, Michiko took some of us and send us links to them. That was very thoughtful. We enjoyed the Sake tasting and the hot foot baths at the end of the tour. It was well worth the trip from Tokyo.
I have traveled the world from China, Egypt, Prague, Italy, Cuba and I have to say that visiting the Nagano Snow Monkey Park, with your guide Takeshi, was one of the most fabulous experiences of my life. I hope to return in the winter someday!