Japan’s rail system is famous throughout the world for its efficiency, speed and comfort. A pleasure to use it does not however come cheap - particularly the ‘shinkansen’ (Bullet Train) syste...
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October 30, 2020
Looking for Cheap Shinkansen Tickets? Use Our Step-by-Step Guide to Access Savings of up to 50% Online!
Japan’s rail system is famous throughout the world for its efficiency, speed and comfort. A pleasure to use it does not however come cheap - particularly the ‘shinkansen’ (Bullet Train) syste... -
September 30, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Japan Set to Lower Travel Advisories for Certain Countries
It’s important to start this blog by saying that at this time, travel to Japan for tourism purposes remains extremely difficult and for nationals of many countries, impossible. In total, as of Se... -
September 16, 2020
#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn – ‘Koyo’ Season Will Soon Be Here!
Over the past week, the temperature has certainly
begun to drop here in Nagano. The days remain pleasant and warm but the heat and
humidity of summer have gone, and nights are starting to feel cr... -
September 11, 2020
#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: ‘Go To Travel’ Extended to Tokyo as of October 1st 2020
As highlighted in our recent blog article – ‘#SNOWMONKEYRESORTS LOCAL: What is Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ Campaign?’ – Japanese citizens and foreign residents of Japan are currently eligible for by s... -
August 31, 2020
#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: What is Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ Campaign?
For our friends living in Japan, you have no doubt heard of the national 'Go To' campaign by now. Under that campaign, those living in Japan – including Japanese citizens and foreign residents – ... -
August 13, 2020
Using the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Visit Nagano & Central Japan – 50% Discounts Available from August 20th!
With the summer holidays in full swing, it’s a great time to visit Central Japan and escape the intense heat and humidity of the coastal cities. Though also hot during the day, Nagano and Central... -
July 30, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Relax & Renew in the Hot Springs of Central Japan
When planning your travel in Central Japan,
we recommend staying in the region’s many outstanding hot spring towns. Known
as ‘onsen’ in Japan, natural hot springs are found throughout the prefect... -
July 16, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Kusatsu Onsen – One of Japan’s Most Famous Hot Spring Towns
Lying nearby Karuizawa, Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous ‘onsen’ (hot spring) towns. For many if not most Japanese, the town is instantly recognisable due to its immense ‘yubatake’, an... -
July 13, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Eat, Shop, Play – Visit Karuizawa
Nestled high in the mountains between Tokyo and Nagano, Karuizuawa is a small resort town that attracts visitors at all times of year. Notably cooler than Tokyo in summer, beautiful in spring and... -
July 9, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover the Spirit of the 1998 Olympics
In our recent blog article ‘Clean Green & Healthy – Get Outdoors & Get Back to Nature!’, we promoted Central Japan’s outdoor destinations as great options when planning your future travel... -
July 6, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Get Outdoors & Get Back to Nature!
When thinking about your future travel to Japan, it’s a
great time to consider heading outdoors and exploring some of Japan’s beautiful
natural landscapes. Whether you are first-time visitor or s... -
July 3, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover Central Japan
When researching and planning a visit to Japan, understanding the regions and which areas are nearby others, can be a little confusing – particularly for first-time visitors.While some n... -
July 1, 2020
25 Things To Do Around Karuizawa & Where To Stay
Only 70-minutes from Tokyo using the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Karuizawa is one of Japan's oldest and most famous mountain resort towns. Sitting around 1000 metres above sea level, Karuizawa enjoys a ... -
July 1, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Accessing Medical Assistance in Japan during COVID-19
In anticipation of the borders opening in future
and travel resuming under the cloud of COVID-19, one of the most important
questions travellers can ask is, should I need it, what access will I h... -
June 29, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Choosing your Accommodation in Japan
When considering your future travel to Japan, one of the biggest decisions is where to stay and what to expect once you arrive.Japan is one of the cleanest countries and hygiene-focused ... -
June 26, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – When Can I Travel to Japan & is it Safe?
At the time of writing, entry to Japan is still banned for many foreign passport-holders. There is however conversation about how and when entry bans will be lifted with a strong focus on opening... -
June 24, 2020
#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy Japan
As announced in our recent blog, our website has been updated to include a section dedicated to COVID-19 including pages intended to help you make an informed decision about travelling to Japan. ... -
June 22, 2020
Snow Monkey Resorts Update: Introducing our Dedicated COVID-19 Information Pages
In response to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on global tourism, we have revised our website to include information and updates regarding COVID-19.From our homepage you can access our... -
June 12, 2020
25 Things To Do Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where To Stay
One of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen sits high in the Joshintesu Kogen National Park. Located at an altitude of around 1200 metres, the town is fed a copious amount of volca... -
June 10, 2020
How to Get to Karuizawa
Located approximately 170KM to the north-west of Tokyo, Karuizawa is a small mountain resort town popular with Tokyoites and international visitors alike. Known for its cool mountain climate, vis... -
June 1, 2020
How To Get To Kusatsu Onsen
As one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, visiting Kusatsu Onsen is well-worth the effort. Located high in the mountains of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Kusatsu sits among a dramatic and... -
May 14, 2020
From Karuizawa: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park
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 Karui... -
May 14, 2020
Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo–Nagano–Toyama–Kanazawa)
Known by many international visitors simply as the ‘Bullet Train’, Japan’s 'Shinkansen' network connects major cities with high-speed train services that operate on various Shinkansen lines. On t... -
May 14, 2020
Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable
The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line runs from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station and is one of primary transport routes through Central Japan. On this page you will find the following information:-... -
May 14, 2020
Karuizawa Station
Located approximately 170km to the north-west of Tokyo, Karuizawa is a small mountain resort town popular with Tokyo-ites and international visitors alike. Known for its cooler climate in summer,... -
June 4, 2019
SNOW MONKEY RESORTS WINTER TOURS & CHARTERS! START PLANNING YOUR NAGANO SKI & SNOWBOARD ADVENTURE FOR WINTER 2019/20!
Winter is never far away – or at least never out of mind – here in Nagano. With the past winter having come late but then refusing to call it quits, and ultimately blessing us with a massive amoun... -
June 3, 2019
NAGANO’S BEST SPRING/SUMMER TOURS! COMBINE TOURS & CREATE YOUR OWN MULTIDAY PACKAGE!
As Nagano’s No.1 tour operator, Snow Monkey Resorts continues to welcome new and old friends into the region, as more and more people discover the seasonal beauty of Central Japan. There’s never a... -
May 25, 2018
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort
Operated the Prince Hotel group, Karuizawa Ski Resort is perhaps the most readily accessible resort from Tokyo – only a short distance from Karuizawa Station, a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Karui... -
May 20, 2018
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Located directly across from Karuizawa Station, the Prince Shopping Plaza boasts more than 200 stores along with numerous restaurants and parkland spread across 26-hectares. Many major fashion ho... -
May 15, 2018
Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
Karuizawa city is in many ways, a town of two halves divided by its shinkansen station. On one side, you have the modern and sprawling Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza while on the other, the original... -
May 10, 2018
Harunire Terrace
Located in Naka-Karuizawa, approximately 4km to the west of the town centre, Harunire Terrace is a small and stylish dining and shopping area surrounded by picturesque forest. Restaurants and bou... -
May 8, 2018
Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-Yu
Only a short distance from Harunire Terrace, Hohino Onsen Tombo-no-yu is a stylish and modern natural hot spring. Featuring both indoor and outdoor baths, this modern facility is designed to promote ... -
May 7, 2018
Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary
Located in the popular mountain resort town of Karuizawa, the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary is an open forested sanctuary covering around 100 hectares. Walking trails criss-cross the forest, an area ... -
May 5, 2018
Shiraito Falls
Shiraito Falls is a small but scenic waterfall located in the forests to the north of central Karuizawa. The unique, natural falls measure only 3 metres in height but 70 metres across and are fed by ... -
May 2, 2018
Kusatsu Onsen
Famous throughout for its abundant volcanic water and dramatic setting, Kusatsu Onsen is often cited as one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. It is also grouped with Minakami, Ikaho and Shima ... -
May 1, 2018
Kusatsu Onsen ‘Yubatake’
Lying in the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, the town’s ‘yubatake’ is an iconic sight, instantly recognisable to most Japanese. Translating as ‘hot water field’, the yubatake is large open-air area over whic... -
May 1, 2018
‘Yumomi’ Performance
‘Yumomi’ is a daily performance taking place in Kusatsu Onsen every day, during which a local troupe of performers use large wooden paddles to stir the thermal water. Taking place inside the ‘Netsuno... -
April 30, 2018
Onioshidashi Volanic Park
Said to be the most active volcano on Honshu – Japan’s main island – Mt. Asama is one of the few mountains in the country that people are not allowed to climb. At 2568 metres above sea level, Asama b... -
April 25, 2018
Mount Shirane
Located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park Mt. Shirane – often referred to as Kusatsu-Shirane – is a series of volcanic peaks, including some of the most active in Japan. At 2160 metres above sea ... -
April 22, 2018
Hiroshi Senju Museum
Located in popular mountain resort town of Karuizawa, the Hirosthi Senju Museum profiles the work of the eponymous artist, known for his paintings of cascading waterfalls and misted-laden cliffs. A p... -
April 20, 2018
Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route
Open from May to mid/late-November, the Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route is a scenic alpine driving route that winds through the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Running from Kusatsu Onsen toward the Jigokud... -
April 10, 2018
Manza Onsen
One of Central Japan’s most dramatic hot spring areas, Manza Onsen is a small but unique onsen town located high in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Drawing its waters from nearby Mt Kusatsu-Shira... -
April 5, 2018
Minakami Onsen
Another of Gunma Prefectures famous four hot spring towns – along with Kusatsu, Shima and Ikaho – Minakami Onsen is home to some equally famous bathhouses and a variety of excellent accommodation. Ne... -
March 31, 2018
Shima Onsen
This quiet hot spring town is set in a beautiful forested landscape and along with the towns of Kusatsu, Ikaho and Minakami, makes up the four famous onsen towns of Gunma Prefecture. Some claim that ... -
March 25, 2018
Ikaho Onsen
Ikaho Onsen is one of four famous hot spring towns in Gunma Prefecture – along with the towns of Kusatsu, Minakami and Shima. Known for its iron-rich waters, the main feature of Ikaho is a 300 metre ... -
March 20, 2018
Myogi Shrine
Sitting beneath the imposing jagged peaks of Mt Myogi, Myogi Shrine is a stunning yet relatively unknown shrine and temple complex of the outskirts of Tomioka City. Said to have been established in 5... -
March 15, 2018
Gunma Safari Park
One of only two safari parks in Japan, Gunma Safari Park is home to over 100 species of animal from Japan, Asia and Africa. Visitors have the option of driving their own vehicle through the park or m... -
March 10, 2018
Tomioka Silk Mill
Established by the Meiji government in 1872, the mill embodies the push to modernize Japan and compete with developed Western economies. The factory was designed as a model factory by the Japanese go... -
January 21, 2018
How To: Introducing the Hokuriku Arch Pass
Japan Rail offers a range of passes to international visitors that offer fantastic convenience and savings. While the full Japan Rail (JR) Pass is well-known and well-used by foreigner travelers in ... -
June 3, 2017
Karuizawa Area
One of Japan's most famous and oldest mountain resort towns, Karuizawa is only 65 to 75-minutes from Tokyo using the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. Notably cooler than Tokyo in summer, the town has long... -
June 2, 2017
Kusatsu Onsen Area
Regularly cited as one of Japan's best hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen is home to many hotels and guesthouses. Blessed with the largest volume of flowing thermal water in Japan, the volcanic water ... -
May 25, 2017
Manza Onsen Area
Manza Onsen is a small yet spread-out onsen town nestled within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Hotels and guesthouses are dotted across a dramatic yet beautiful alpine landscape with walking trail... -
May 20, 2017
Shima Onsen Area
Known as the ‘Forty Thousand Hot Spring’ town, Shima Onsen’s name more than hints at its numerous onsen sources and abundant thermal water. Indeed, the town boasts around forty separate hot spring ... -
May 15, 2017
Ikaho Onsen Area
Known for its iron-rich waters, the main feature of Ikaho Onsen is a 300 metre long stone staircase which acts as the main thoroughfare through the town. Either side of the street, traditional gues... -
May 10, 2017
Minakami Onsen Area
Nestled in a beautiful area of Gunma, Minakami Onsen is home to many guesthouses and day spas. Accommodation ranges from large hotels to family-run ryokan, catering to all tastes and needs. Around... -
September 6, 2010
Ueda Sanda Festival
The 34th Ueda Sanada FestivalWith Ueda being the hometown for the samurai Sanada about 400 years ago, they take the story of the Sanada clan and put it into the "Ueda Sanada Festival". The festiva...
