From Karuizawa: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Last Updated:May 22, 2023

As a convenient stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line – which runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa via Nagano – Karuizawa is a popular mountain town for both Japanese and international visitors. From Karuizawa it’s a simple onward journey to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. On this page you will find the following information:

— Where is the Jigokudani Monkey Park?

— Directions to the Park from Karuizawa

— Accessing the Park via Nagano Station

— 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

In summer, the altitude and beautiful setting of Karuizawa offers a welcome escape from the heat and humidity of Tokyo while in winter, the town’s small ski resort and many excellent hotels and restaurants offer comfort and a little taste of Tokyo nestled within a snow-covered mountain landscape. Between those seasons, spring and autumn also offer beauty and escape from the cities with Karuizawa increasingly popular for its expansive Prince Karuizawa Shopping Plaza, located right next to the station.

From Kaurizawa, regional destinations including Kusatsu Onsen, Mt Asama and Mt Kusatsu-Shrine are all within the boundaries of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and readily accessible. Only 30 minutes by shinkansen from Nagano City, Karuizawa is also within easy reach of the many ski resorts of Nagano and the world-famous Jigokudani Monkey Park. For tips and suggestions of what to do while in the area, please refer to our ’25 Things To Do Around Karuizawa & Where To Stay’ page.

Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are the region’s No.1 tour and charter operator. Our group tours run throughout the year, including multiple tours to the monkeys. We can also arrange private tours and charters to the park along with any destination in the region, and as a registered travel agent, we can package transport, accommodation and more together so you save and get the most out of your time at the park, Nagano and beyond – scroll to the bottom for details.

WHERE IS THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK?

The Jigokudani Monkey Park – often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park – is around 35KM / 50-minutes to the north-east of central Nagano City and around 100KM / 2-hours drive (despite being quite close geographically) from Karuizawa. 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 from Karuizawa Station, 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 PARK FROM KARUIZAWA

From Karuizawa Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen – Asama service – to Nagano Station. It takes 30 minutes and costs JPY3210 for a non-reserved seat. Further details regarding how to use the shinkansen can be found on our ‘Hokuriku Shinansen’ page with timetables to and from Karuizawa available on our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page. This service is covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, JR East Pass and JR Hokuriku Arch Pass. Once in Nagano, follow the directions below.

ACCESSING THE PARK VIA NAGANO STATION

Once at Nagano Station, 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 a 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). Please note, the Nagaden express bus, train and local buses are not covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, JR East Pass or JR Hokuriku Arch Pass.

*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 Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus operates from Bus Stop No.23, 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, see our ‘Nagaden Express Bus Timetable’ page.

2 / USING THE NAGANO DENTETSU LINE

Using limited express services on the Nagano Dentetsu Line, 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, see 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.

SNOW 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

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	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

Based in Nagano and operating all-year-round, we offer a range of group tours including visits to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Led by locally-based guides, our tours are designed to transport you to and from the park in comfort, while making the day entertaining and engaging. Basically, we want to turn your visit to the park into an experience you love! Tours start and end at Nagano Station and therefore accessible from Karuizawa using the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Only a 30-minute journey by train from Karuizawa, it’s easy to be in Nagano in-time for the morning meet-up with a quick return journey back to Karuizawa at the end of the day.

We can also provide private charters and tours from Karuizawa to any destination, with customised itineraries to suit your travel needs and interests. Locally-based and operating all year round, we have the expertise and experience to help you get the most out of your time in the region, including transport to and from the monkey park along with any regional destination.

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 interests and 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?