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Nagano Prefecture
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Nagano
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Jan 15th Only Tour: Nozawa Fire Festival & Snow Monkey from Hakuba & Nagano
1 day
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About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, 6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
Established in 1964, Nagano's world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don't worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as the walk about you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favorite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nozawa Onsen, Toyosato, Nozawaonsen-mura, Shimotakai-gun 389-2502 Nagano Prefecture
The Fire Festival of Nozawa Onsen, called ‘Dosojin Matsuri’ in Japanese, is one the three great fire festivals in Japan. The tour is scheduled to arrive in Nozawa just after 18:00. Your guide will help orientate you with the village and set the meetup time and point before setting you free to enjoy the festivities!
Singing, drumming, fireworks and more start from 19:00 before it`s time for the main event! The town converges on a wooden shrine, defended by men the ages of 25 and 42, said to be in unlucky years and therefore the charged with the shrines defence from the other villagers, who storm the structure with flaming bales of hay intent on its destruction. Fueled by tradition, bravado, and lots of booze, the battle takes place with embers falling over the crowd and very little distinguishing onlookers from participants. After the gods have been deemed happy and ready to bless the villagers with good luck, harvest, and happiness, the shrine is set on fire at 22:00.
Duration: 4 hours
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This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, 6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
Established in 1964, Nagano's world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don't worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as the walk about you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favorite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nozawa Onsen, Toyosato, Nozawaonsen-mura, Shimotakai-gun 389-2502 Nagano Prefecture
The Fire Festival of Nozawa Onsen, called ‘Dosojin Matsuri’ in Japanese, is one the three great fire festivals in Japan. The tour is scheduled to arrive in Nozawa just after 18:00. Your guide will help orientate you with the village and set the meetup time and point before setting you free to enjoy the festivities!
Singing, drumming, fireworks and more start from 19:00 before it`s time for the main event! The town converges on a wooden shrine, defended by men the ages of 25 and 42, said to be in unlucky years and therefore the charged with the shrines defence from the other villagers, who storm the structure with flaming bales of hay intent on its destruction. Fueled by tradition, bravado, and lots of booze, the battle takes place with embers falling over the crowd and very little distinguishing onlookers from participants. After the gods have been deemed happy and ready to bless the villagers with good luck, harvest, and happiness, the shrine is set on fire at 22:00.
Duration: 4 hours
Included
- Transportation fee from and back to Hakuba and Nagano Station to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities/attractions
- Early dinner (vegetarian options are available, please let us know beforehand)
- English-speaking guide
- Dinner
- Entry/Admission - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Not included
- Foods/drinks unless stated otherwise (there are many vendors at the festival so you can choose freely from what is available there)
- Shinkansen tickets
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This tour has 2 pickup points in Hakuba or Nagano. When booking the tour please include your preferred pickup point - Hakuba or Nagano - and for guests staying in Hakuba, please also include the name of your accommodation under Special Requirements.
- Wear warm clothes that can get dirty as there might be some cinders flying your way.
- There will be a lot of walking on paved and unpaved roads so please wear suitable shoes.
- Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time. There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
- It will be cold in January in Nagano with likely snowfall and temperatures falling below 0 degrees. The cold is especially apparent at night so please wear warm clothes and shoes fit for winter.
- For guests joining the tour from JR Nagano Station, arrival back to Nagano Station will be just before midnight so our recommendation is to stay overnight at Nagano City.
- For guests joining the tour from Hakuba, you will be returned to the Happo Bus Terminal at approximately 01:00. Please note that alternative drop-off points are not possible.
- Confirmation email of your reservation will be sent to you within 48 hours after booking.
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- This is a family-friendly cultural tour, not a drinking tour. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed on the tour bus and we request that guests do not become intoxicated at the festival.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers
Features
Tourism
85%
Original
55%
Cultural
50%
Sport
35%
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