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Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys

Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys

Famous for its hot spring-loving monkeys, Yamanouchi is an ideal hub from which to explore the region.

Key features

  • Snow Monkeys
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park
  • Wildlife
  • Hot Springs
  • Yudanaka Shibu Onsen
  • Shiga Kogen
  • Kita-Shiga Kogen
  • 1998 Winter Olympic Venue
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Nature & Wildlife Photography
  • Hiking

Public Transport

Yudanaka Stationimmediate
Nagano Station45 minutes
Tokyo Station180 minutes

Nearby Attractions

Yudanaka & Shibu Onsenimmediate
Jigokudani Monkey Park5-7 minute drive
Shiga Kogen/Highland30 minute drive

Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys

Famous for its hot spring-loving monkeys, Yamanouchi is an ideal hub from which to explore the region.

Key features

  • Snow Monkeys
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park
  • Wildlife
  • Hot Springs
  • Yudanaka Shibu Onsen
  • Shiga Kogen
  • Kita-Shiga Kogen
  • 1998 Winter Olympic Venue
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Nature & Wildlife Photography
  • Hiking
Less than an hour from Nagano City and only four hours from central Tokyo, Yamanouchi Town consists of three distinct areas – Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen, Shiga Kogen and Kita-Shiga Kogen. Blessed with abundant farmlands, pristine nature, numerous hot springs and heavy snow in winter, Yamanouchi is most famous for two things: snow monkeys and some of Nagano’s best skiing and snowboarding.
Home to the Jigokudani Monkey Park and ski resorts of Shiga Kogen and Kita-Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi is at its most popular in winter yet offers just as many reasons to visit through spring, summer and autumn. Blessed with numerous sources of natural thermal water, Yamanouchi has a strong association with healing, refuge and renewal including use of Shibu Onsen’s restorative waters for medicinal purposes for around 1300 years. Today, the area is home to many guesthouses offering traditional service including ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course) meal service and hot springs reserved for the exclusive use of guests.

The surrounding landscape supports farms producing some of Central Japan’s best produce while the forests and mountains bordering the villages of Yamanouchi, account for more than 90% of the local area. Known for their deep powder and scenic beauty in winter, Shiga Kogen and Kita-Shiga Kogen offer some of Nagano's best hiking, cycling and nature photography from spring to autumn. Within the boundaries of Yamanouchi, visitors can visit Shiga Kogen Highlands - a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - and the surrounding landscape of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park - Japan's fourth largest national park and home to a unique array of flora and fauna. Yet despite all this, Yamanouchi still flies somewhat under the radar for international visitors but in doing so, has retained an authentic and welcoming character.

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  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys
  • Explore Yamanouchi - Home of the Snow Monkeys

Recommended Activities in Yamanouchi

Activities in Kanbayashi Onsen inc. Jigokudani Monkey Park

Activities in Kanbayashi Onsen inc. Jigokudani Monkey Park

Nagano's Famous Monkey Town

Home to guesthouses and some great restaurants and cafes, Kanbayashi is an ideal place to stay and go slow when visiting the monkeys.

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Activities in Yudanaka Onsen & Shibu Onsen

Activities in Yudanaka Onsen & Shibu Onsen

Explore the Historic Hot Spring Towns

Within walking distance of the monkey park, Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen enjoy a long association with rest and relaxation.

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Activities in Shiga Kogen

Activities in Shiga Kogen

Bigger, Higher, Better!

Shiga Kogen is Japan's largest and highest ski resort with plenty to do all year round.

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Activities in Kita-Shiga Kogen

Activities in Kita-Shiga Kogen

Nagano's Hidden Secret

Boasting small resorts full of powder in winter and panoramic views and alpine hiking from spring to autumn, Kita-Shiga Kogen is something of a hidden gem.

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Events & Festivals in Yamanouchi

Events & Festivals in Yamanouchi

Party like a local!

Yamanouchi enjoys a full calendar of events and festivals, from the quiet and cultural to the more boisterous!

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Cherry Blossoms & Autumn Leaves in Yamanouchi

Cherry Blossoms & Autumn Leaves in Yamanouchi

A Place of Seasonal Beauty

Nagano is a place of four seasons, and in Yamanouchi, visitors can enjoy the best of each including spring and autumn.

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Summer Activities in Yamanouchi

Summer Activities in Yamanouchi

Escape Back to Nature

With the deep snow of winter a distant memory, Yamanouchi has just as much to offer in summer.

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Winter Activities in Yamanouchi

Winter Activities in Yamanouchi

Stay, Explore & Have Fun

Boasting some of Nagano's best skiing and snowboarding, hot springs and of snow monkeys, Yamanouchi comes into its own each winter.

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Access

Public Transport

Yudanaka Stationimmediate
Nagano Station45 minutes
Tokyo Station180 minutes

Nearby Attractions

Yudanaka & Shibu Onsenimmediate
Jigokudani Monkey Park5-7 minute drive
Shiga Kogen/Highland30 minute drive