Nagaden Local Bus Timetable

Nagaden operates numerous local bus services in and around Nagano City including to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Operating from Yudanaka Station, two local bus lines stop at the monkey park: the Kanbayashi Line and Shiga Kogen Line. On this page you will find the following information:

All services on both the Kanbayashi and Shiga Kogen lines head to the monkey park – taking 8 to 15-miuntes (depending on which bus you use), before following very different routes. The Kanbayashi Line heads away from the mountains, therefore visitors wanting to head to Shiga Kogen must takes the Shiga Kogen Line. All local buses to and from the monkey park cost (one-way): JPY390 per adult / JPY 200 per child. For further details regarding how to use Nagaden’s local bus services, please refer to our ‘Nagaden Local Bus’ page.

Kanbayashi Line Timetable

Buses servicing the Kanbayashi Line depart from directly in front of Yudanaka Station and take approximately 10 minutes to reach the park:

Kanbayashi Line Schedule (Yudanaka St. to Snow Monkey Park): April 7th 2026 ~ December 4th 2026

• * Denotes a service that also extends into Shiga Kogen Ski Resort.

Buses from the park back to the station take longer - approximately 15 minutes - due to the route and additional stops on the way back from the park:

Kanbayashi Line Schedule (Snow Monkey Park to Yudanaka St.): April 7th 2026 ~ December 4th 2026

Please note, timetables are subject to change and can very between times of year.

Shiga Kogen Line Timetable

The timetable for Winter 2025/26 is as follows. Please note that the timetables for Winter 2026/27 has not been updated yet, and will most likely be published a days prior to the season starting. Please use this as a placeholder for next year's schedule.

Buses from the park back to the station take longer - approximately 15 minutes - due to the route and additional stops on the way back from the park:

Shiga Line Winter Schedule

The green season timetable from April 2026 to early December 2026 has been updated, and you can see the full timetable updated below:

Yudanaka to Shiga Kogen Line Schedule: April 7th 2026 ~ December 4th 2026

*Weekdays Only

The timetable for buses heading in the opposite direction can be found below:

Shiga Kogen to Yudanaka Line Schedule: April 7th 2026 ~ December 4th 2026

*Weekdays Only

Please note, timetables are subject to change and can very between times of year.

The service continuing to Okushiga Kogen (stops S32–S34) operates only during the following peak windows:

Autumn Leaves: October 1st – December 4th, 2026.

Summer Peak: July 1st – August 31st, 2026.

Ticketing and Snow Monkey Pass

Tickets are paid for as you disembark the bus therefore no advance booking is possible. Nagaden’s local bus services to the monkey park (only) are also covered by the Snow Monkey Pass*. Valid for 1 day from the date of purchase, the Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus allows for 1-day unlimited use of the Nagano Dentetsu Railway (including express trains), 1 round-trip on the Nagaden Local Bus from Yudanaka Station to Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop, and one entry to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Passes costs JPY4,800 per adult (aged 13+) / JPY2,400 for children (6-12). Children under the age of 6 can ride Nagano Dentetsu line and Nagaden buses and enter the park free of charge. Passes can be purchased on our 'Snow Monkey Pass' page or in person at Nagano Station.

*Please note, the Snow Monkey Pass does not cover bus services to Shiga Kogen.

Important Winter Update: Upcoming Entry Changes at the Snow Monkey Park

Planning your visit to the Snow Monkey Park for December, January, February, or March?

As of August 2026, the Snow Monkey Park has introduced of an advance online ticketing and timed-entry system for the upcoming peak winter season. All visitors planning an independent trip to Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Snow Monkey Park) must navigate the new mandatory online ticketing system and strict winter parking restrictions.

Peak Season Entry & Parking Restrictions

• Mandatory Online Tickets: During peak times—primarily winter (Dec–Mar) and major domestic holidays like New Year, Golden Week, and Obon—visitors must present a date-specific advance ticket QR code to be admitted to the park after walking the trail. Walk-ins face long waits or total entry denial at the ticket check-in counter at the bottom of the trail.
• Civilian Parking Bans: Nearby parking lots are completely closed to private vehicles on peak winter weekends and public holidays. Public transport or guided tours are strongly recommended. Travel via public transportation is being encouraged by the Snow Monkey Park.

How to Book Independent Tickets Online

• Booking Portal: Tickets must be purchased through the official Webket Reservation System (English toggle available).
• Account Required: You must create and register a Webket account before buying.
• Booking Window: Tickets open 90 days in advance at midnight JST.
• Entry Timeslots: When booking, you must select your specific date and arrival window.

For more details on how to go about placing your reservation for tickets to the Snow Monkey Park, please see our How to Purchase Snow Monkey Park Tickets in Advance webpage.

The best way to secure your winter entry to the Snow Monkey Park? Book a guided tour or private charter with Snow Monkey Resorts.

By booking one of our curated snow monkey tours, or private charter services, you can travel with complete peace of mind. Here is how booking with us ensures a seamless experience during the peak season while the snow monkey park adjusts to its new policy:

• Guaranteed Park Entry: We secure reserved ticket allocations for our guests, completely bypassing the complex online booking system and ensuring guaranteed access.
• Direct Transportation: Skip the hazardous winter roads and vehicle bans—our private vehicles drop you off directly near the park trail.
• Hassle-Free Experience: Enjoy an all-inclusive itinerary complete with a local English-speaking guide, organized logistics, and optional seasonal activities like sake tasting or snow fun.

Day Tour

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1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano

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Pick-up:

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Drop-off:

Nagano CityHakuba

¥21,800

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Don't need a guide? We can transport you to and from the park with seamless logistics from areas such as Nagano Station, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Matsumoto, and more!

Private Charters

NAGANO STN → SNOW MONKEY PARK (3HR)→ NAGANO STN

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4-5 Hours

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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, how to get there and more. We hope you enjoy your visit with our favourite furry friends.

25 Things to Do Around the Park and 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.

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort: Everything You Need to Know

Located around 45km to the east of Nagano City, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, boasting an unmatched expanse of interconnected terrain and Nagano’s longest ski season. All the ski fields of Shiga Kogen are covered by an all-mountain pass and best enjoyed on a multi-day visit. Shiga’s ski fields lie between 1340 and 2307 metres and as such, are notably higher than any other resort in the region and ideally-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. For a complete run-down of what’s on offer in Shiga, see our ‘Shiga Kogen Ski Resort’ page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)