Many people wonder, do the monkeys come to the park during autumn? The answer is a very definite yes! While their behaviour can be somewhat erratic through October and November, the monkeys still come to the park and typically in good numbers as you can see with our photoblog for November 2020.
It is certainly true that usual reliable behaviour of the troop is somewhat hard to predict in autumn, after-all it’s mating season and the forest is full of tasty autumn snacks including fruits, nuts and berries. As such, their behaviour is less predictable than other times of year and there may be a day or two when they don’t come, or more come in small numbers.
But don’t let that put you off. It’s unusual that they don’t come at all and much more likely they are little late in getting to the park, so aim for the middle of the day to early afternoon – when they are at their most reliable.
This autumn is particularly beautiful and with the trees in the valley and nearby Kanbayashi Onsen having turned, making a morning or afternoon at the park is really enjoyable. On weekdays, visitor numbers are particularly low allowing those who do make the journey to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains and forest with lots of space and freedom to move around.
As always, the monkeys seem very content through autumn as they forage and feats on the abundance of wild food, and put on some much needed bulk to survive the coming winter.
With the tops of the surrounding mountains already dusted with snow, it feels like winter isn’t far off and having experienced a late start and poor snow this year, it really seems as though it’s going to be a good one!
Our tours are available every day of the year and we look forward to welcoming new friends and some old ones, to Nagano this winter. With the ongoing affect of COVID-19, expect visitor numbers at the park to be much lower this winter – a great chance to see the monkeys in the deep snow without the usual crowds!
All tours are led by locally-based, English-speaking guides with precautions taken to ensure the safety and comfort of guests (along with the guide). For residents of Japan, take advantage of the national ‘Go To Travel’ campaign by booking a tour to the monkey park directly through us. As a participating travel agent, we can package your tour and accommodation so you save more and can enjoy the best of Nagano this autumn and winter.
This information is provided as part of our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ campaign, allowing you to plan and book your future travel to Japan with peace of mind.
We hope this information inspires you to plan your next trip to Nagano – with so many outdoor destinations and activities, Nagano and Central Japan offer the perfect getaway!
BOOK & SAVE: PACKAGE ANY OF OUR TOURS WITH ACCOMMODATION!
When planning and booking your trip to Central Japan, it’s important that you can do so with confidence that your intended destinations will be both enjoyable and safe.
As Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, we offer a range of services including group tours, private tours and private charters, and accommodation to help you get the most out of your time in the region.
Any of our group tours can be booked with accommodation in Nagano, or as private tours starting and ending at locations of your choosing.
We can arrange transport to and from any destination in the region, with a customised itinerary to suit your travel needs. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from any destination. Vehicles used for private tours are fitted with a protective screen – separating the driver from passenger and luggage area – and our drivers wear protective masks, allowing you to move between your destinations in comfort and safety.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of that experience and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano.
Got a question about visiting the monkey park? Feel free to contact us and let’s get planning together!
