2-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Samurai Experience & Zenkoji 'Shukubo' Stay

Step back in time and discover the hidden heart of Japan. This curated 2-day journey takes you from the preserved samurai estates of Matsushiro to a peaceful overnight stay in a centuries-old Buddhist temple, concluding with a visit to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani.

Highlights

• Discover Nagano’s hidden samurai enclave of Matsushiro - former stronghold of the legendary Sanada clan - and home to some of Japan’s best-preserved Edo Period buildings including the former Sanada and Higuchi Residences and the Bunbu Gakko Military Arts School where you can try your hand at ‘katana’ (sword) practice on Day 1

• Enjoy an overnight stay at a traditional ‘shukubo’ (temple lodging) inside the Zenkoji Temple complex including dinner and breakfast

• Experience a guided tour of the temple followed by ‘sake’ tasting and lunch in Nagano City followed by an afternoon visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park on Day 2

• All led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide.

Want to join this tour from Tokyo? It’s easy to do! Scroll to the bottom for our FAQs including train services that you can use to join the tour!

Description

Day 1: The Way of the Samurai & Temple Lodging

Nagano – Matsushiro – Zenkoji Temple

The Hidden Stronghold of Matsushiro

Your journey begins at Nagano Station, where you’ll head to the quiet town of Matsushiro. Once the strategic base of the legendary Sanada Clan, this town remains largely untouched by modern tourism.

• Samurai Estates: Explore the Sanada Family Residence and the Higuchi Family Residence. Wander through tatami rooms and manicured gardens that once housed Japan’s elite warrior class.
• Samurai School & Sword Practice: Visit the Bunbu Gakko, an 18th-century literary and military academy. Here, you’ll get hands-on with a sword practice session (katana) led by a local instructor and have the chance to wear traditional samurai armor—an immersive way to feel the weight of history.

A Night of Peace: Zenkoji ‘Shukubo’

In the evening, return to Nagano for a rare experience: staying at a Shukubo (Temple Lodging) within the sacred grounds of Zenkoji Temple.

• Experience: Settle into a traditional room with tatami mats and futon bedding.
• Cuisine: Enjoy a beautifully prepared Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) dinner, a cornerstone of Japanese spiritual life.
• Atmosphere: As the sun sets and the crowds leave, the temple grounds become a silent, mystical landscape perfect for photography.

Day 2: Sacred Legends & The Snow Monkeys

Zenkoji – Sake Tasting – Jigokudani Monkey Park

Morning: The Secrets of Zenkoji

After a traditional breakfast (and an optional visit to the sunrise "O-Asaji" morning service), join your guide to explore Zenkoji Temple, a National Treasure. This is one of Japan's oldest and most significant Buddhist sites, home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan.

Midday: Sake & Seasonal Flavors

Nagano is famous for its pristine water and premium sake. Before lunch, enjoy a sake tasting session as your guide introduces the nuances of this local craft. Following the tasting, sit down for a seasonal lunch—ranging from warming hot pots in winter to fresh Nagano-style sushi in the warmer months.

Afternoon: The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani

Travel into the mountains for a forest walk leading to the Jigokudani Monkey Park.

• Up Close with Nature: Observe the world-famous Japanese Macaques as they soak in the natural hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys, you’ll see their social interactions and curious behaviors up close.
• Return: We head back to Nagano Station, arriving at 17:35, perfectly timed for your evening departure.

What is a ‘Shukubo’?

A shukubo is a traditional guesthouse located within a temple complex. Originally built for pilgrims, today they offer travelers a serene, authentic alternative to standard hotels.

• The Room: Simple, elegant, and peaceful. Rooms feature traditional paper screens (shoji), floor-based futon bedding, and shared bathing facilities (private time can be arranged).
• The Ritual: Staying here allows you to experience the daily rhythm of the temple, from the vegetarian meals to the atmospheric evening silence.

Important Information for your Temple Stay

Staying at a shukubo (temple lodging) is a traditional experience that follows the specific daily rhythms of the monastery. Please be aware of the following house rules:

• Dinner & Breakfast: A traditional vegetarian dinner is served promptly at 18:00. Breakfast is served the following morning between 07:30 and 09:00. While the menu is vegetarian, alcohol is available for purchase at an additional cost.
• Evening Curfew: In accordance with temple practice, the main entrance is locked at 20:00. All guests must be back inside the building by this time.
• Bathing Facilities: The shared bathing facilities are only open in the evening and typically close by 21:00. Please ensure you have finished bathing before this time. Your guide will help explain the system of bathing upon check-in, but you will have the opportunity to enter the bath privately.
• Morning Service: Guests are invited to attend the O-Asaji (Morning Service) in the temple’s main hall. While optional, this daily ritual is a significant part of the Zenkoji experience.
• Night Access: You are free to explore the temple precinct for photography and quiet walks after dinner, provided you return before the 20:00 lockout.
• Accommodations: Rooms feature traditional tatami (straw mat) flooring and futon (on-floor) bedding. To maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, we ask that guests keep noise to a minimum in the evenings.

Meetup Points

This tour operates from the following meetup point in Nagano City:

NAGANO STATION @ 11:45

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 11:50

Notes

Included

• Accommodation at a 'Shukubo' Temple Lodging in a 'Standard Japanese-style Room' with on-floor 'futon' bedding, shared bathroom along with dinner & breakfast.

• Paid entry to the former Sanada Residence, former Higuchi Residence and Bunbu Gakko Literary & Military Arts School inc. samurai experience in Matsushiro on Day 1

• Guided tour of Zenkoji Temple, 'sake' tasting, lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya and paid entry to the Jigokudani Monkey Park on Day 2

• Transport costs to all listed destinations / activities and English-speaking guide on both days

Excluded

• Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to / from Nagano Station

• Lunch on Day 1

• Entry to other paid attractions at Zenkoji

• Additional food, snacks & drinks

Other Information

• This is a group walking tour and there may be other guests joining the tour. It involves a reasonable amount of walking and is suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness. Should you be booking in the summer months of July to September, please be aware that the weather is likely to be hot – between 30°C/86°F to 40°C/104°F – with high humidity. Given the nature of the tour, much of your time will be spent walking so please come prepared for those conditions. Your guide will of course respond to the conditions and endeavour to keep things as cool as possible by extending your time indoors and in the shade. For guests booking in the winter months of December to March, the weather is likely to be cold - between 0°C/32°F to 10°C/50°F and as low as -10°C/14°F at night - with likelihood of snow.

• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travelers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.

• 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.

• The samurai experience is appropriate for both adults and children aged 6 and up. For the safety of guests, you will not handle real swords but instead be allocated bamboo imitations.

• This tour includes accommodation at a traditional ‘shukubo’ (temple lodging) within the Zenkoji temple complex. The tour price includes a 'Standard Japanese-style Room' featuring on-floor ‘futon’ bedding, ‘tatami’ matting and low furniture. Toilet and bathing facilities are shared, and guests are kindly asked to use the bathing facilities between 17:00-20:00. Earliest check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00. Dinner is served between 18:00 to 20:00 while breakfast is served between 07:30 to 09:00. In-keeping with the practice of most shukubo and the entrance will be locked at 20:00

• The tour includes dinner and breakfast at your 'shukubo'. It serves a traditional vegetarian menu for both meals in a shared dining space. Alcohol is available but not included in the tour price. Should you wish to drink alcohol, please pay the accommodation directly.

• 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 (and as low as -10°C).

• During the winter it is common to see the monkeys enjoying the hot spring 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.

• This tour includes lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya on Day 2. On rare occasions it may not be possible to use this restaurant in which case we would switch to another, comparable location. Please note that the restaurant may change their menu from time-to-time and the tour lunch may different to images shown on this page.

• This tour includes ‘sake’ tasting in Nagano City. You must be a minimum of 20 years of age to consume alcohol in Japan. For those who do not drink alcohol, please rest assured non-alcoholic sake and sampling of miso, ‘tsukemono’ (pickled vegetables) are also available.
  
• Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.