1-Day Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Winter Illumination Tour

We're sorry. This tour is no longer available.

8 to 9 hours
Free cancellation
1 - 15
Mobile ticket

Overview

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Illumination Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour captures the magic of Nagano of in winter. Including an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this is one tour rich in the festive spirit of winter!

First stop is the Jigokudani Monkey Park - home to Nagano's famous hot spring-loving monkeys! Your guide will lead you to and from the park and introduce you to everything that makes the monkeys so unique, while also allowing you plenty of time to enjoy by yourself.

Once done, you head back to Nagano City where an early dinner awaits at Monzen Terrace Enya - one of the city's most popular restaurants. Warmed and filled, you then head into Zenko-ji - one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan - where your guide will explain the history and legends of the temple as it is bathed in the light of its Winter Illumination Festival.

Inclusions

  • Transportation fee from Nagano Station and between all activities/attractions
  • Snow Monkey Park entrance fee
  • Dinner
  • English-speaking guide
  • Guided evening tour of Zenko-ji Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

What to expect

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

Enjoy observing the famous monkeys in their winter habitat. With no barriers between you and the monkeys, this is a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will be on-hand to explain just what makes these creatures so unique, while also allowing plenty of free-time to enjoy for yourself.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: MONZEN TERRACE ENYA, Japan, 〒380-0841 Nagano, Daimonchō−57−2

Nagano is Japan's second largest producer of 'sake', meaning no trip to the region is complete without sampling some of the local breweries. Your guide will introduce to the complex and warm world of sake with a guided tasting and while there also treat you to a delicious lunch at one of Nagano's favourite restaurants.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Zenko-ji Temple, I-491 Motoyoshicho, Nagano 380-0851 Nagano Prefecture

Experience Zenko-ji - one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan - come to light with the Illumination Festival. Light installations and projections will bring Nagano's ancient heart to vivid life. Your guide will explain the history and importance of the temple before setting you free to wander, explore and photograph in an enchanting winter atmosphere.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meeting point

1: Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, 4688 Hokujō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan
2: Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal / Happo Information Center, Japan, 〒399-9301 Nagano, Kitaazumi District, Hakuba, Hokujō, 大字北城八方5734-1
3: Hakuba Base Camp, 3020-121 Hokujō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan
4: Nagano Station, Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan

Additional information

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • There will be a significant amount of walking required (1.6 km one way) to get to and from the Snow Monkey Park, along an unsealed forest trail so please wear appropriate shoes / boots.
  • This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train depending on the season and size of the group.
  • From mid-December until early-April the trail and park are likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing. If required, rental boots are available close to the monkey park and crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased. From mid-December until early-March please wear suitable clothing for temperatures potentially below 0°C.
  • 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.
  • During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
  • There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park or that the monkeys leave the park early. While this is unlikely to happen, it is possible and is outside of our control.
  • During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
  • This tour includes dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya. The restaurant will update their menu each year meaning that the exact meal will vary however include the same number and types of dishes. We will keep this information and images up-to-date as the restaurant confirms their menu with us.
  • Due to time constraints and in order to time our arrival for the evening illumination, this tour does not include lunch. Please make sure to have an early lunch or bring something to snack on during the day. There will also be an opportunity to buy a snack and / or drinks after exiting the monkey park and re-boarding the tour bus.
  • Illumination and installations at the festival change each year and may not be the same as those shown in images above.
  • Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant meal is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
  • Any vehicles operated by Snow Monkey Resorts, will include a plastic partition in the vehicle that will totally separate the driver from the passengers. The driver will also wear a mask and gloves.

Exclusions

  • Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets
  • Accommodation
  • Lunch
  • Additional food, snacks & drinks

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Q3715BXmariak
March 2020

Con il tour, organizzato da Snow Monkey Resorts, abbiamo visto le scimmie della neve, il centro di Nagano con il suo magnifico tempio Zenkoji e alla fine abbiamo degustato il sakè. La nostra guida Kieron è stato molto professionale, preparato sugli aspetti storici e naturalistici.

MiyukiK49
December 2020

It a wonderful tour very enjoyable!! We have a great time specially with our guide Peter that was very funny and helpful always looking for us to don’t miss anything I will recommend this tour!! Thank you so much

MCJ62
December 2020

What a fun tour this was! Our tour guide, Peter, was amazing. He is so knowledgeable and thorough. Going on this tour in December made it possible to see lots of the snow monkeys and some in the hot springs. Peter even pointed out alpha males and females and was able to give us lots of inform...

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 TourMega™. All Rights Reserved.
from US$179.90 / per person