Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park is home to a fascinating troop of Japanese macaques who have achieved worldwide fame due to a unique, captivating behavior – they are the only troop of monkeys in the world known to enjoy bathing in natural hot springs! On this page you will find all the information you should know before you go:
Things to Know Before You Go
When to Go to the Snow Monkey Park
Despite the name Snow Monkey Park, it is important to note that the park is open every day of the year. The most popular time to visit the park is in the winter months, as it is the time of the year where there will likely be many monkeys bathing in the hot spring.
However, each season has their own benefits of visiting. In spring, the baby monkeys are born, and it is a magical time to be at the park. There are about 30 babies born every year. Summer is a great time to escape the heat of the cities and head-up high to the fresher air of Snow Monkey Park. In the fall, the autumn foliage of Nagano is a truly spectacular sight. All in all, there is never a bad time to visit the monkey park!
How to Get to the Snow Monkey Park
Nagano Station is the nearest shinkansen stop - on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line - to the monkey park and therefore the most common starting point for visitors coming to see the monkeys. From Nagano, you can take either the Nagaden Express Bus which will drop you nearby the monkey park or alternatively, take the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) train line to Yudanaka Station from where you'll need to jump on a local bus for the short ride up to the park. Both the express bus and trains - including a limited express and local services - are operated by Nagaden and easily navigable from Nagano Station to the park.
For further information including directions to the park from popular staring points including the ski resorts of Nagano, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, along with which service is most suitable for you needs, see our 'How To Get To The Jigokudani Monkey Park' main page.
Of course, the simplest way to reach the Monkey Park is by partaking in a tour. This will spare you from having to worry about missing your train or standing at the wrong bus stop, and free you up to focus on enjoying the day. If you are interested in a tour, please see the below section for more information.
Opening Hours and Prices
The park is open every day of the year* however opening hours vary between winter and other times of the year due to changing weather conditions, hours of light, and seasonal behavior of the monkeys.
April to October / Green Season: 8:30 to 17:00
November to March / Winter Season: 9:00 to 16:00
*The Snow Monkey Park is open 7-days a week and there are no fixed holidays in place. In the event of extreme weather, the park could close for the safety of guests and staff but such cases are very rare.
Although famous for its wintery scenery, the monkey park is a great place to visit all year round. Whether to enjoy the fall colors in autumn, watch the cute baby monkeys in spring, or cool off in summer, there is always something that draws visitors to the park. For more information on planning your visit, see our page "When to See Japan's Famous Snow Monkeys".
ADMISSION PRICES
Entrance fees vary for adults, children, and infants:
Adults (18 years & over) = JPY800 per person
Children (aged 6 to 17) = JPY400 per person
Infants (aged 0 to 5) are free of charge
Monkey Park Rules and FAQs
When visiting the park there are several rules to adhere to:
-- Do not feed the monkeys
-- Do not touch the monkeys
-- Do not bathe with the monkeys
-- Do not eat or drink while in the park or on the trail
-- Keep your distance from the monkeys (1 to 2 meters)
-- Do not use selfie sticks or flash photography
Want to know all about the monkeys or have a specific question about the park, check-out our 'SNOW MONKEY FAQs' page.
The Walk to the Snow Monkey Park
The trail to the park is 1.6 km / 1 mile in both directions. It is unsealed but well-maintained and other than a short staircase at the trail entrance and a final steep staircase and sloped path at the end of the trail / entrance to the park itself, the trail is completely level and easy to walk. It is worth noting that the first 20 meters of the path inclines upwards before becoming level. At the end of the trail visitors must ascend a staircase or steep path into the park. While a wheelchair can be taken along the path in fine weather, the final staircase and step path into the park are not negotiable in a wheelchair.
WALKING THE TRAIL IN WINTER
Things are different in winter. From early-December onward, the trail and park can be subject to snow and ice with heavy snowfall a regular occurrence from the second half of December until early-March. During this time, the walk to the park is more likely to take 30 to 40 minutes. It can also be extremely cold with temperatures regularly below 0°C and possibly dropping below -10°C. During the winter months the path can become very slippery, and it is easy to fall so please proceed with caution at all times.
Snow Monkey Resorts Info & Gift Shop
The Snow Monkey Resorts Info & Gift Shop is located at the entrance of the trail leading to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Offering a range of services including winter rentals and English language information, luggage storage, along with monkey merchandise and souvenirs including official Snow Monkey Resorts products, the SMR Info & Gift Shop has you covered when visiting the park. Open every day from 9AM to 5PM, English-speaking staff can answer your questions on your way to and from the park including information about bus timetables and nearby attractions.
Please note, park entrance tickets are not sold here. They are sold at the park entrance only.
In the winter months, the trail to the park is usually icy and as a consequence also very slippery. Please do not underestimate the chances that you will fall - anyone, even those with experience walking on ice, could slip by accident. To ensure that everyone is prepared for the trek, our Info & Gift Shop offers cramp-ons for sale for JPY1,350.
Please refer to the above image for the specific pricing details of each item. Please also be aware that not all shoe sizes, etc... can be accommodated and so in some cases we may be unable to rent items that are your exact size.
Tours and Charters to the Monkey Park
As Nagano's No.1 tour operator, we are proud to offer multiple tours that combine a visit to the Snow Monkey Park with other fun local activities. No matter the season, we can help you make the most of your time in Nagano. Whether with your family or friends, or on your own, we are sure to have something that suits your needs!
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
Our most popular offering is our "1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple and Sake in Nagano". Guests on this delightful excursion will first be treated to Sake Tasting and a guided tour of the historic Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, including lunch at a nearby restaurant.
With the first half of the tour complete, you will then depart for the Monkey Park on our private tour vehicle. Once you have arrived your guide will lead the way up to the place the Monkeys call home, before you once again board the bus and return to your starting destination.
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyShiga Kogen
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityYudanaka/Shibu
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityYudanaka/Shibu
For those guests coming in the winter, we also offer the "1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen", combining exciting snow activities such as sledding and riding snow scoots with a visit to the Monkey Park. Lunch is also included, making for the perfect day trip for anyone looking to experience what winter in Nagano is all about!
Recommended
(Spring Only) 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow Monkey
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
Another unforgettable tour is our "1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano". Including two of Japan's most amazing natural spectacles, the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms and the hot-spring loving monkeys of Jigokudani, this offering is the easiest way to enjoy a relaxed spring day in Nagano.
Recommended
[START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow Monkey
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakubaNozawa OnsenShiga KogenMadaraoMyoko
For those who want a more customized experience, we also offer private tours of the Snow Monkey Park and nearby attractions such as Zenkoji Temple. For more information, please click the link above or send us an inquiry describing your ideal itinerary.
Charter a Vehicle to the Snow Monkey Park!
Please see our charter page and send us your trip details so we can start planning your journey to the Snow Monkey Park. Many starting point options are available such as Nagano Station, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, and more.