From Hakuba: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Last Updated:March 20, 2023

For visitors wanting to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park from Hakuba, the journey takes around 2-hours. There is no direct public transport from Hakuba to the park meaning that you will need to first head to Nagano Station before heading onto the park, with the option of booking a tour to the park direct from Hakuba. On this page you will find the following information:

— Where is the Jigokudani Monkey Park?

— Directions to the Monkey Park from Hakuba

— Monkey Park General Information

— 25 Things to Do Around the Monkey Park & Where to Stay

— Book With Us! Nagano’s No.1 Tour & Charter Operator

Hakuba is home to some of Japan’s best ski resorts, drawing visitors from all over the world each winter to enjoy Japan’s epic snow and welcoming atmosphere. As one of the main host venues of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba is recognised for its world-class snow conditions, varied terrain, and excellent facilities – in short, there’s lots of reasons its so popular.

Outside of winter, Hakuba is increasingly known for its array of ‘green season’ sports, during which time both local and international visitors head to the mountains to escape the oppressive heat and humidity of cities and enjoy numerous pursuits. Activities including hiking, mountain-biking (MTB), rafting, canyoning, standup paddle-boarding (SUP), fishing, and other pursuits have quickly established Hakuba as Nagano’s premier adventure travel destination.

Whatever time of year that you’re in Hakuba, you may well be curious about a visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally soak in hot springs, the monkey park is one of Nagano’s most popular winter destinations. The monkeys come to the park all year round, so whether you are visiting Hakuba in winter, spring, summer or autumn, there’s always a reason to visit.

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:35 – 17:35
Meeting Place	Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only)
Adult Rate	¥15,500
Child Rate	¥11,000

Much like the monkeys, we’re also here all year round! As Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, we offer a range of group tours to the monkey park and can arrange private tours and charters to match your needs. In winter, we extend our tours to include pick-up and drop-off in Hakuba, allowing guests based at the resorts there to join our award-winning Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple and Sake Tour along with other winter tours. We hope the following information helps in planning your visit to the monkeys from Hakuba and of course, if you’d like to join one of our tours or would like to enquire about a private tour or charter, we’ll be happy to assist!

WHERE IS THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK?

The Jigokudani Monkey Park – often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park – is around 85KM / 2-hours drive to the east of Hakuba and 35KM / 50-minutes to the north-east of central Nagano City. Open every day, the monkeys come to the park through the year making it one of Nagano’s most popular attractions, When heading to the park using public transport, it will be easiest to do so from Nagano Station, from where an express bus runs directly to Kanbayashi Onsen – where the park is located – or alternatively, you can take the Nagano Dentetsu railway to Yudanaka Station – the nearest train station to the park – and from there, take a local bus to the park. Both options take around 50 to 55-minutes in total to get here. The park is located in the small hot spring village of Kanbayashi Onsen, which itself is located in the wider region of Yamanouchi – a region including the park, multiple hot spring villages, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, the smaller ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen and Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Within easy reach of Nagano City, visiting the monkey park as a day-trip is easy while also providing lots of reasons to stay in the area on a multi-day visit.

DIRECTIONS TO THE MONKEY PARK FROM HAKUBA

From Hakuba, the Jigokudani Monkey Park can be reached in a two-step journey:

1 / Take the bus from Hakuba to Nagano Station

2 / Take another bus or train from Nagano Station to the monkey park

The ALPICO Express Bus service from Hakuba to Nagano takes approximately 75 minutes and costs JPY2200, an easy and convenient way to make the journey from the station.

The bus operates from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal (pictured above) with tickets available for purchase at the counter.

The bus service from Hakuba will bring you to the east side of Nagano Station. Once you arrive, you have two choices to reach the park – express bus or train:

1 / Use the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus directly from the station to the monkey park

2 / Take at train on the Nagano Dentetsu Line followed by a Nagaden local bus to the park

Starting from Nagano Station, the express bus costs JPY1500 each way and takes 45 minutes (to the park) and 55 minutes (back from the park). In comparison, the express train from Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station takes around 45 minutes and costs JPY1290, followed by an 8 minute local bus ride, costing JPY310 – meaning that the option of an express train + local bus will cost a total of JPY1600 and take at least 55 to 60 minutes (depending on train and bus timetables). When coming from/to Hakuba, we recommend using the express bus. Not sure which option is best of you? See our ‘How To Get To the Jigokudani Monkey Park’ main page for suggestions of what works best.

1 / USING THE NAGADEN EXPRESS BUS

The Alpico Bus bringing you to and from Hakuba, operates from Bus Stop No.26 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station. The Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus operates from Bus Stop No.23, also on the east side of the station. Simply line-up for the bus and once onward you buy your ticket directly from the driver – JPY1500 each way – and cash only. To check the bus schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagaden Express Bus Timetable’ page.

2 / USING THE NAGANO DENTETSU LINE

For visitors who do choose to use the train, you can access the Nagano Dentetsu Line platforms by entering the station via the East Entrance and walking through to the other side. Take the escalator down to ground level and out of the station via the Zenko-ji Exit. As you walk-out of the station you will see an escalator immediately to your right.

Proceed down the escalator and once at the bottom go to your left. The Nagano Dentetsu line ticket window and machines and ticket gates are approximately 50 metres ahead.

The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs JPY1290. Local services from Nagano to Yudanaka are only slighter cheaper – at JPY1190 – but take substantially longer and require passengers to transfer trains. As such, we always recommend using an express service to reach Yudanaka. For the train schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable’ page.

Once at Yudanaka Station you need to jump-on a Nagaden local bus for the final leg of your journey to the park. Two local bus lines – the Kanbayashi Line and Shiga Kogen Line – head to stops nearby the monkey park. The ride is only around 8 minutes and costs JPY310 per adult and JPY160 per child.

The ride back from the park takes a little longer – around 15 minutes – due to a different route and stops. Yudanaka is a small station and the buses operate from directly outside. You can’t miss them! For the local bus schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Local Bus Timetable’ page.

MONKEY PARK GENERAL INFORMATION

Open every day of the year, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of Nagano’s most popular destinations. Our ‘Snow Monkey Park Information’ page has everything you need to know including opening times, prices, the park rules, FAQs and more. We hope you enjoy your visit with our favourite furry friends.

25 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE MONKEY PARK & WHERE TO STAY

Often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking the park is only open and the monkeys only venture there in winter. While it’s true they are most famous for their winter antics, the monkeys come to the park all year round and there are just as many reasons to visit in spring, summer and autumn. Located in the beautiful rural enclave of Yamanouchi and within easy reach of Nagano City, visiting the park can be easily combined with plenty of nearby destinations and activities, as a day-trip or multi-day visit. Our ’25 Things To Do Around The Jigokudani Monkey Park & Where To Stay’ page has lots of tips and suggestions of what’s on offer and the best area to stay when visiting the monkeys.

BOOK WITH US! NAGANO’S NO.1 TOUR & CHARTER OPERATOR

Snow Monkey Resorts is Nagano’s No.1 tour and charter operator. We have the local knowledge of where and when to go, to help you discover and enjoy the region’s many fantastic and destinations including the Jjgokudani Monkey Park. We offer a range of group tours, including pick-up and drop-off in Hakuba for our winter tours, and for guests wanting to access the resorts in the comfort of their own transport, we can arrange a private tour or charter customised to fit your needs, starting and ending at any destination including from/to Nagano Station and any resort in the region.

Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles 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?