Activities

Planning to visit the Snow Monkey Park in Nagano? This page has everything you need to see Japan’s Snow Monkeys including access, guided tours, transport, and travel tips.

Located at the base of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, the Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen, 地獄谷野猿公苑) – often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park – is home to a very special troop of monkeys. Created in 1964, the park was established as a conservation area in which the monkeys, Japanese macaques to be exact, would have a refuge within what was already their natural habitat. Once in the park, the naturally-curious monkeys observed humans using the hot spring of a nearby guesthouse and before long, started copying the behaviour. The rest as they say, is history. To learn more about the snow monkey park, as well as relevant tours and charters, please explore below!

Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses

Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter

Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City

Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station

One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town

Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region

The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences

Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi

Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park

Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century

Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn

Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping

Nagoya, the largest city in Central Japan, is known for its unique blend of rich history with cutting-edge modernity. As Japan’s center of industry and the home of some of the most important samurai figures in Japan’s history, the city and its surrounding region boast a deep cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a foodie, or someone in search of exciting urban experiences, Nagoya offers something for everyone.

Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country

Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival

Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself

As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun

The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding.

Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko

From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage

Lying in the south of Japan, Kyushu is a blend of cultural and natural attractions with the islands of Okinawa located even further to the south surrounded by the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.