NAGANO JAPAN |

Known as “sakura”, cherry blossoms are synonymous with Japan and are seen to embody the fragile beauty of life itself. As the weather warms in spring, the flowers bloom and Japan will emerge from ...

It’s no secret that the snowfall in Nagano this winter is much less than usual. Unusually warm weather patterns have led to higher than normal temperatures and as a result, lower snowfall. Many sk...

Happy New Year from Snow Monkey Resorts! It's been a strange and frustrating start to the year here in Nagano and at the Snow Monkey Park. Temperatures remain unusually high for January with relat...

Snow Monkey Resorts is collaborating with kisoji.com to bring you three model courses that explore central Nagano. The Kiso Valley is one of the more unexplored areas of Japan, but it is an area of de...

As host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and home to around 80 ski resorts along with the famous hot spring-bathing monkeys of Jigokudani, Nagano is synonymous with winter. Offering abundant snow in cl...

Winter has arrived at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park! As temperatures continue to drop and the first flutters of snow powder the valley, here’s our final photoblog for 2019! The start of D...

  Planning a trip to Takayama this winter? Worried there's not enough to do in the area? There are actually a ton of fun winter activities in Central Nagano, but public transportation can ...

It's a typical November here at the Snow Monkey Park. The temperature is dropping quickly with strong hints of winter in the air. But before winter arrives, we are being treated to a typical Novem...

We are now one month on from the typhoon which affected Nagano and it’s a good time to provide an update. While Nagano City was relatively unaffected, areas nearby experienced a significant impact...

As already reported, the Snow Monkey Park has now reopened to the public and we are happy to the report, the monkeys have now returned! After an unusually long absence from the park after the typh...

Nagano has been in the news a lot this week given the impact of Typhoon Hagibis on the region. Sadly, the typhoon wrought considerable damage and many people have been affected. Our thoughts are w...

Given the recent impact of Typhoon Hagibis on Nagano Prefecture, we are receiving many enquiries about the availability of our tours, access to the Snow Monkey Park, and ability to travel to and f...

We are happy to announce that the Snow Monkey Park is open again and accepting visitors. Due to recent damage to the park and trail, visitors may encounter ongoing repairs. Please be careful to fo...

The Snow Monkey Park is again closed today - Monday October 14th 2019 - due to ongoing repairs required after Typhoon Hagibis left significant damage across Nagano. The trail leading to the park h...

Typhoon Hagibis has now passed Nagano. Unfortunately it has left a significant amount of damaes to the trail leading to the park and the park itself. Due to this damage, park staff have decided to...

Typhoon Hagibis is expected to impact on Nagano today and all residents have been advised to take necessary precautions to remain safe. For that reason, the Snow Monkey Park will be closed as heav...

Sales of “Snow Monkey Pass” for 2019 Green Season finished on Sep 30th. For winter season, it will be re-sold from 7th December....

Shiga Kogen, the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, accommodates 18 interconnected ski areas, each located at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,300 meters. Shiga Kogen is nestled in the north-eastern al...

As the middle of September arrives, the summer heat in Japan is finally fading, and fresh winds of autumn are cooling the country down after a long humid summer! Japanese autumn starts in early Septem...

Another September has rolled around at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and we are now feeling the first of the cooler autumn weather. Strolling to and from the park along the beautiful forest trai...

Located within three hours of Tokyo, Azumino is just such a region - a place of quiet villages, farms and orchards, temples and shrines - set against the stunning backdrop of the Northern Alps. Ea...

One of the main attractions for many visitors to Japan, are the numerous beautiful crafts that play such an important role in traditional and contemporary culture. Although one of the world’s most...

August has been a hot and at times wet and wild month in the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. In the middle of summer, the winter days of cold and deep snow seem like a dream and for visitors to the p...

It’s a little later than usual – let’s face it, a whole lot later than usual! – but here, finally, is our July photoblog for the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Summer has arrived at the park and in ...

You can't say that you have experienced the Japanese summer until you see one of Japan's astonishing fireworks festivals! Fireworks in Japan are an essential summer tradition with a long history and a...

Recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan with a 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, guests based in Hakuba this winter will be able to join our most popular tour through use of o...

As Nagano's No.1 tour and charter operator we are always looking for ways the experience we provide our guests on our tours. Awarded a 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award as one of the Top 10...

With its beautiful mountains, forested valleys, and vast highlands, there couldn’t be a better place to see the fall colors than in Nagano. There are fantastic spots all over the prefecture, but if yo...

As recently featured, Shiga Kogen is not just Nagano’s but also Japan’s largest and highest ski resort. With 79 ski runs serviced by 51 chairlifts and gondolas, Shiga offers the largest expanse of...

Host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano is home to more than 70 independent and blessed with some of the best powder in the world. Whether you are visiting Nagano for the first time or are a seas...

Nestled high above the Snow Monkey Park within the beautiful surrounding of Joshinestu Kogen National Park, there is a ski resort which is Nagano’s sleeping giant and the next big destination for ...

The world will turn its focus to Japan this autumn, as it hosts the Rugby World Cup from September 20th to November 2nd 2019. With 13 host venues spread throughout Japan – from Hokkaido in the nor...

June in Japan is known as the rainy season and as such, is always a little wet, wild, and unpredictable. The days are steadily getting warmer and humid, punctuated by downpours as the springtime c...

Snow Monkey Resorts is happy to announce our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour has been recognized as one of Japan’s best tour experiences winning a 2019 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Cho...

If you want to spend the summer in the true Japanese way, you cannot pass up seeing one of Japan’s massive fireworks shows or going to an exciting local summer festival. We have two exclusive tour...

In the next installment of our “Recommended Trails in Nagano” series, let’s take a look at two of the most captivating historical trails in the prefecture—the Nakasendo Post Town Trail and the Togakus...

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...

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...

  *The illumination event scheduled for December 2019 has been moved to February 22nd to March 1st 2020. As a result, our tour will operate on the same days in February and March 2020. It ...

Here in Nagano during the the month of May, the rice fields are filled with water in preparation for planting. The flooded fields create a mirror-like surface, reflecting the majestic snow-capped peak...

May has been another great month in the Snow Monkey Park with the introduction of the first baby monkeys of 2019! At first slow to emerge as their nervous mums inch back into the park, it's now ba...

We are very happy to announce that the first babies of 2019 are now being welcomed to the Snow Monkey Park! Expectant mothers give birth from late-April to early-June each year, making spring one ...

It’s funny. It doesn’t seem so long ago that the snow still had a hold on us and the monkeys (just like us), were shivering away in the last clutches of Nagano’s beautiful but long, cold winter. N...

As mentioned in the recent cherry blossom forecast, Nagano’s long winter has finally come to an end! The snows that attract skiers from all over the world are giving way to the leaves, buds, an...

As everyone knows all too well, Japan's cherry blossom season is upon us! Starting in Fukuoka and moving north toward Kyoto, then most notably to Tokyo, the blossoms of Snow Monkey area in Nagano are ...

Some may think that spring skiing - from April to May - is no way near as good as peak ski season in Japan, when the mountainous landscape is covered by the best snow in the world– Japanese powder...

Hotel Kokusai 21 is conveniently located for access to a number of attractions in central Nagano City, including Zenko-ji temple, the Gondo district, and Uruoikan (the city center’s only hot sprin...

Host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, home to more than 30 independent ski resorts including Japan's largest – Shiga Kogen – and the internationally acclaimed resorts of Hakuba, blessed with deep, dry pow...

Are you arriving in Japan too late to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo? Don’t worry! Given the higher elevation, Nagano Prefecture`s blossom trees bloom later than in the capital, typically sometime from ...

March is always an enjoyable time in the Snow Monkey Park and a great time to visit Nagano`s most famous furry residents! It`s a time of two seasons, with the first days of spring wrestling with t...

Springtime in Japan means one thing – cherry blossoms! With the weather quickly warming and people turning their attention to this year`s blossom forecast, we are happy to announce our new 1-Day Takat...

Japan's winters are legendary. A combination of big mountains and some of the world's deepest, driest powder make Japan a favorite destination for skiers and snowboarders from around the world. With t...

It's been a strange old winter here in Nagano and at the Snow Monkey Park. The usually reliable snowfall came as late as anyone can remember but when it did eventually arrive, it fell in abundance...

Located within easy reach of JR Nagano Station, the Matsukawa Valley is slowly emerging from its quiet corner and becoming known as one of Nagano’s best kept secrets. A region of pastoral vistas leadi...

As host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Nagano remains proud of its Olympic legacy and since 2004 has commemorated its most celebrated winter with its annual 'Tomyo' Lantern Festival. Running fr...

Spring in Japan brings beautiful weather and a welcome end to the cold of winter. As the weather warms and winter clothing is shed, the spirits lift and the world seems fresh and new again. A popu...

Happy New Year from everyone at Snow Monkey Resorts and let's jump into the new year with our first photoblog of 2019! While the snow was late this year January has delivered with its reliable dumps o...

Nagano is home to most of Japan's highest mountains, spread across three mountain ranges that collectively make-up the Japanese Alps. This dramatic landscape offers visitors some of the most impressiv...

As host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano's winter credentials speak for themselves. Blessed with some of the best powder in the world, stunning mountain ranges and more than 30 independent resorts,...

The hot spring-bathing Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani are world-famous and observing these curious creatures, and the unique behaviour of soaking in their outdoor pool, is a highlight of any visit to Naga...

With the snow now falling in Nagano we are gearing up for another big winter and with that, we are happy to offer our popular 1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour from December 22...

The snow has finally arrived in the monkey park and with it, the monkeys are straight back into onsen as they welcome another cold season and many new visitors this winter! The photo above was ...

Visiting the famous Snow Monkey Park is one the highlights of any visit to Nagano and an experience perhaps best enjoyed in winter. After all, 'snow monkeys' don't really live-up to the name without a...

We are now officially into winter and while the snow is a little late this year, sooner or later it will begin to fall in abundance. Most famous as a winter destination, Nagano has so much to offe...

Newly opened Japanese restaurant Hotaru-tei in the Kanbayashi Onsen area is the place to go if you're looking for a local food experience in a traditional setting. The restaurant, located only 10 minu...

As host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano came to the attention of the world and ever since, has been a fixture on the itinerary of many international visitors coming to Japan. Famous for its hi...

*Please note that in 2019, this service has been extended to now be available all year round for guests joining us in Nagano City. Up-to-date information can be found at: 1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS, ZENKO-JI ...

Japan is a land of legend and mystique. A place of ancient paths leading to imposing castles, dark temples, and forested mountain trails, there is no better place to get off the beaten path and fo...

*Please note, the illumination of the temple - scheduled for December 2019 - has been moved to February 22nd to March 1st 2020. As a result, our tour will operate on the same days in February and Marc...

With the temperature steadily dropping and the clouds puffing-up and rolling-in, the question many people ask is when will it start snowing in the monkey park?   Affectionately known as...

Autumn is reliably the least reliable season in the Snow Monkey Park as the monkeys trade their beloved hot spring for the promise of food and love in the forest. October through November is matin...

Using the shinkansen (bullet train) services is by far the easiest way to get yourself around Japan including to Nagano. While super-efficient, using the shinkansen system – choosing which pass or...

Nagano and the surrounding regions that make-up central Japan are a place of natural beauty, typified by high mountain peaks, and deep culture found in its historic towns, temples and castles. Often o...

As Japan’s largest ski resort, Shiga Kogen offers an expansive area of terrain to explore and some of the most beautiful powder landscapes to carve and slash your way through each winter. At an im...

Nagano Prefecture is one of the biggest prefectures in Japan. Widely known for its high mountains, apple orchards, and rice production, Nagano offers plenty to discover. See below for an itinerary tha...

Consisting of 18 ski areas - some large, some small - Shiga Kogen is Japan's largest mountain resort spread through the peaks and gullies of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. The expansive resort is...

Viewing autumn leaves, called koyo in Japanese, is after cherry blossom-viewing the most beloved seasonal activity for the Japanese. If you're planning on visiting the Snow Monkey Park in fall, we rec...

Less than an hour from Nagano Station, there is a place of tranquillity where orchards and farmlands lead to ravines, waterfalls and mountains beyond, and quiet communities go about their lives un...

Autumn has arrived and with that, the temperature is dropping and the landscape is shifting in color and hue. It's a beautiful time of year to visit the Snow Monkey Park and through early-October, the...

With more than 30 independent ski resorts, Nagano spoils winter visitors with choice! Among those resorts, Shiga Kogen is not only Nagano's biggest area of interconnected ski fields, but it also tops ...

With winter fast approaching it's time to get serious and decide where you're headed! The big question for many people coming to Japan is which region best fits their needs - Nagano or Hokkaido? Both ...

Unless you're flush with cash and time and can afford to be here for an extended period during winter, skiers and snowboarders headed to Japan are faced with one big decision before they even get here...

Sales of "Snow Monkey Pass" for 2018 Green Season finishes today (Sep 30th). For winter season, it will be re-sold from the beginning of December (Dec 1st, if it will be as has happened in the past...

Nagano is synonymous with apples. Ripening to perfection each autumn, apple-picking directly from local orchards is an enjoyable (and delicious!) activity that can be done with family and friends with...

Snow Monkey Resorts is excited to announce our award-winning 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour is now available to guests based in Hakuba this winter, with a daily shuttle servic...

Another month has slipped-on by and with that, summer has ended and the early hints of autumn are in the air. With the summer heat having faded away, days have regularly been punctuated by drizzle and...

Nestled within an expansive mountain range known for its beauty and deep powder snow, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest ski resort and one of the host venues for the 1998 Winter Olympics. The resort offe...

The prime time to visit Nagano Prefecture is in winter, when the snow comes falling from the sky in abundance. We suggest to make Senjukaku, a ryokan close to the Snow Monkey Park, your base. The ryok...

Just ten minutes from JR Nagano Station via the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, Iiyama is a rural hub known for the quality of its vegetables and fruit - most famously, apples! Each autumn, apple-picking di...

Nagano’s Zenko-ji Temple is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist complexes in Japan with a near-1400 year history. A place of true religious significance, legend, and myth, Zenko-ji is the he...

Most visitors to Nagano will take the time to head up the hill from the station and visit the city’s most famous attraction, Zenko-ji Temple. With a near 1400-year history, the temple embodies a seduc...

The snow monkey region is famous for its numerous 'onsens' (natural hot springs) that bubble to the ground throughout the mountains. Mainly found in the town of Yudanaka, Shibu, Yamada, and Kanbayashi...

Many visitors headed to this region see the famous Snow Monkey Park as the primary destination and don't allocate time to explore other sights nearby the park. Given the global fame of the hot spring-...

Summer in Japan is synonymous with heat, humidity, and more enticingly, festivals! While ‘matsuri’ (festivals) take place throughout the year and for countless (often obscure) reasons summer is the se...

August is a busy time in the Snow Monkey Park as the resident macaques enjoy the late summer warmth, preoccupied with their constant grooming, foraging, and swimming. This year’s baby monkeys a...

*Please note, the illumination of the temple – scheduled for December 2019 – has been moved to February 22nd to March 1st 2020. As a result, our tour will operate on the same days in February and ...

As we head into the second half of summer it’s the right time to continue our series of articles focusing on the many great reasons to visit the Snow Monkey Park in July and August. The days remain ho...

There are many reasons to choose Japan for your winter sports holiday. Numerous resorts, reliable snow conditions including world-class powder, friendly locals, great food, all the cultural trimmings,...

As we have recently highlighted, there are many reasons to visit the Snow Monkey Park in summer. The monkeys continue to come to the park in good numbers, there are far fewer visitors than in winter, ...

When planning your ski or snowboard trip to Japan there are lots of things to take into consideration for choosing your destination of choice. Of all the questions you might ask when choosing a resort...

For those thinking of visiting the Snow Monkey Park in summer, there's one big reason - or should we say, many small, adorable reasons - to do so, baby monkeys, lots of them! Since April, we ha...

With summer now in full force and temperatures predictably high, the opening of Nagano City’s newest restaurant is particularly well-timed. Monzen Terrace Enya is located within the historical and pic...

Shiga Kogen is situated in a broader mountain range known as Joshinetsu Kogen National Park; a vast area that spans Nagano, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures. The region has long been known for its beaut...

As highlighted in our recent blog article, the monkeys come to the park throughout the year including summer, and they typically come in big numbers. The monkeys – Japanese macaques to be exact – are ...

Summer has arrived at the Snow Monkey Park with the usual heat and humidity you'd expect. While the days can be a little hot, July is a great time to visit the park. The monkeys have been coming in bi...

Conveniently located in the central area of Shiga Kogen, the Higashitateyama Ski Area offers visitors some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the region. As the host venue for the 1998 Winter Olym...

Summer is here. The weather is hot and humid, cicadas are buzzing, and the mountains are lush and green. The deep snow and cold of winter are now distant memories, indeed it’s difficult to imagine tha...

One of the most famous attractions is Nagano Prefecture is the Snow Monkey Park. If you are coming to see the snow monkeys in their own habitat and want to get a place to stay overnight, we have a rec...

You may not know the name but you know the place! Yudanaka Onsen (and the unsurprisingly named Yudanaka Station) is the final stop on the Nagano Dentetsu train and the nearest station to the Snow Monk...

As we head toward summer in Japan, it means one thing – festivals, lots of them! Japanese love a matsuri (festival) and whether you are a visitor to Japan, or living here yourself, there’s no better t...

The cuteness has continued unabated here at the Snow Monkey Park through June, as the seasons babies continue to emerge and we move into Japan’s rainy season. The days are punctuated by bursts of sun ...

Backcountry skiing is one of the great attractions at any resort for advanced skiers. Bursting through pristine snow and the beauty of the forest is an adrenaline rush that gets you hooked. However, b...

No visit to Japan would be complete without riding the famous shinkansen (bullet train) at least once, and for many visitors, it is their main means of transport while here.   As a visitor ...

Nagano City is home to one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, Zenko-ji.  Located within an easy 20 minute walk from JR Nagano Station, the temple is one of the most popular attract...

While the sun is shining here in Yamanouchi and we head towards another hot summer, we can’t help but turn our minds to the coming winter and another highly anticipated snow season in Japan... and we ...

May has been a month of unremitting and undeniable cuteness at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. As the weather continues to warm and move we steadily into the Japanese spring, we continue to welcome b...

*Please note that in 2019, this service has been extended to now be available all year round for guests joining us in Nagano City. Up-to-date information can be found at: 1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS, ZENKO-JI ...

Nestled in the mountains to the west of Nagano City, Togakushi is famous for its natural beauty and spiritual significance. It is a place of dramatic seasonal change experiencing heavy snowfall in win...

We recently (and happily) reported that the first baby monkeys of the year had been cited in the Snow Monkey Park. At that time we hadn't yet been able to capture our first photographs of these adorab...

Visitors have several transport options for bringing themselves to and from the Snow Monkey Park, including several bus services both from JR Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station (the closest station t...

As dedicated publicists of the Jigokudani Snow Monkeys, we are always excited when our favourite furry residents make international news. Over the past few weeks they have been making headlines follow...

As spring continues to warm this year’s cherry blossom season has come to an end.  During April, Snow Monkey Resorts welcomed many guests to the region on our 1-Day Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossom Tou...

There are several transport options when visiting the Snow Monkey Park from JR Nagano Station including train (and local bus) or express bus.  All of these services are operated by Nagano Dentetsu (Na...

One of the most popular ways to access the Snow Monkey Park is using the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) train line from JR Nagano Station.  The train affords you an easy and comfortable journey to Yudanaka...

Spring is one of the best times of year to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park for one very important (and exceptionally cute) reason – baby monkeys! April and May are the months during which expectant m...

The weather this April is very much up and down at the Jigokudani monkey park. Some days have been very warm – nearing 30°C – while others have seen the return of cold, wintery days. The shifting weat...

There are two ways to get to the Snow Monkey area or to get back to Nagano City; either by bus or train. Both options have some advantages and disadvantages that we will elaborate on in this blog. ...

The blossoms are now coming into full bloom across Nagano including at Yamanouchi and Kanbayashi Onsen - home to our favorite furry residents, the snow monkeys!  The small and quiet streets of Kanbaya...

(2019/4 updated) Scheduled shuttle service for Nagano station is also available now.   If you're in need of accommodation in Nagano City and want a hotel that conveniently located, Hotel Ko...

Cherry blossoms, known locally as 'sakura', play an important role in Japanese society.  Blooming sometime between late-March (at the earliest) and early-May (at the very latest), these beautiful flow...

In Japan the season of spring is heavily celebrated. The most famous habit the Japanese display is sitting under colorful cherry blossoms and just watching the blossoms bloom while drinking a beer, et...

Winter is officially with the last bits of snow disappearing in the Park. With the changing of the seasons the opening times of the Snow Monkey Park have changed as well. The opening times of t...

One of the best ryokans (traditional Japanese inn) in the Snow Monkey area is Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku, the ryokan closest to the Snow Monkey Park. From the ryokan, it is only a 30 minute walk t...

The month of March has seen a rise in temperature. Some days really feel as though we're in spring already. Other days though, it's snowing and the monkeys are hiding from the cold in the pool or in b...

Another favorite area in Shiga Kogen for lovers of tree runs is a course which runs from the top of Ichinose Family Area down to bottom. It's a little hard to find the course on the map so here is how...

Nagano Prefecture is home to the majority of Japan’s highest mountain peaks and an abundance of snow. Just ask the locals, they’ll tell you the snow here is world class!   As host of t...

This winter season (2017/2018) in Shiga Kogen brought a lot of powder snow and many fantastic days of skiing and snowboarding.  The early and massive snowfall experienced in December created a good ba...

There is plenty to discover in and around Nagano City. There's the Zenko-ji temple complex, Matsushiro, Togakushi, Obuse, and the Snow Monkey Park. It is difficult to fit all the sights to see into 1 ...

With the recent completion of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games and upcoming XII Paralympic Winter Games in Pyongyang, South Korea, there is understandable interest in celebrating the 20 the anniversary ...

The beginning of February was still very cold and saw quite a few monkeys taking a bath or rummaging around for barley. The monkeys in the two photo's below were exactly doing that; digging in the sno...

If you're thinking of heading to Shiga Kogen for your ski/snowboard trip you have multiple accommodation areas to choose from. As Japan's largest resort, Shiga is expansive therefore it's important to...

It's a new year and a new monkey season! The Snow Monkey Park is now completely covered by snow. As you can see by the photo directly below, the snow is not only in the park, but also on the tr...

What is the Hokuriku Arch Pass: The Japan Rail company has a new pass that could make your travel through the country of the rising sun even more comfortable and convenient. The new pass is called ...

Senjukaku is celebrating their 90th year and has decided to provide an extra service to those coming to stay at the ryokan. In order to get to Senjukaku, you'll have to travel from JR Nagano Station t...

It's been snowing steadily in the Snow Monkey area and even more up in the mountains of Shiga Kogen. The slopes are slowly all opening up, with the higher altitude slopes already fully open. The ar...

The Snow Monkey Park is absolutely a must-visit when you’re in Japan. The monkeys are incredibly cute and cuddly. They are still wild monkeys though, so some caution is advised. We will explain all th...

The season has turned, it`s now December, and the long-awaited snow season has arrived to the area! We would like to keep you posted about the current snow situation of Shiga Kogen - the largest and h...

Nagano City has a great many hotels, being the capital of Nagano Prefecture and the capital of the 1998 Olympics. One favourite hotel we'd like to introduce is Hotel Kokusai 21, one of the most high-c...

*Please note that in 2019, this service has been extended to now be available all year round for guests joining us in Nagano City. Up-to-date information can be found at: 1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS, ZENKO-JI ...

Winter is coming! The first snow of the season has fallen around the 20th of November and this has had an impact on the behavior of the snow monkeys of Jigokudani as they now have to make sure ...

It has snowed in the Snow Monkey area! Winter has finally begun with the first snowfall of the 2017/2018 season. The people living in this area woke up in a wintry world, with more snow than pe...

Shiga Kogen, with its high altitude, has a few spots where you can really see some spectacular views. The massive amount of snow in winter only adds more beauty to the mountainous scenery. If you want...

The Japanese macaques don't have the innate habit of swimming in hot water, they didn’t even need to do it to warm themselves. So why did the monkeys start getting into the hot spring? The answer i...

The rangers of the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park have changed the Park opening times from 8:30 to 17:00 to 9:00 to 16:00. This because of the shorter days. The monkeys have a habit of coming down...

As the largest ski resort in Japan, Shiga Kogen lies in the north of Nagano, a region known for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. Comprised of 18 ski areas, the resort has varying terrain and slop...

The Kanbayashi route to the Snow Monkey Park is open from today! This is good news for bus and train travelers, as this route is the closest and easiest one to the Park. After the typhoon on th...

If you didn't bring any snow gear with you to Japan, no worries! Like most of the ski resorts in the world, Shiga Kogen also has a plenty of items to rent/sell for visitors. But the question would b...

Nagano is in the midst of a typhoon at the moment which makes traveling to the Park not safe enough to open. The heavy rainfall could even cause small-scale landslides. Thus, for safety reasons the Pa...

The Japanese macaques have a strong hierarchical society, with every monkey holding a certain position. At the top of the food chain the alpha male, the monkey boss. The number 1 monkey of the Jigokud...

It's October! The temperature has gone down quite a bit compared to September and this is noticeable in the behavior of the monkeys. Some of them have started to get into the hot spring to warm themse...

When the first snow starts falling from the sky in November, the ski slopes of Shiga Kogen start their preparations for the winter season. Skiing in the largest ski resorts of Japan is possible very e...

Autumn is a wonderful season to visit the snow monkeys of the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The leaves of the trees in and around the park start turning red, orange, and yellow, and the monkeys inch clo...

Most people stay close the Nagano Station when visiting Nagano City. We'd like to propose an alternative course. When staying overnight, stay closer to Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano's main attraction, and c...

The temperature is quickly dropping day by day here in Yamanouchi and we already start feeling an approach of winter! Many of you might be planning to visit Japan for winter sports, so this blog is to...

If you intend to visit Shiga Kogen - Japan's largest interconnected area of ski fields, renowned powder wonderland, and UNESCO Eco Park - it is quite easily done using the local public transportation ...

One of the biggest attractions in Nagano City is the near-1400 year old temple complex of Zenko-ji. As one of the oldest, largest, and most significant Buddhist temples in Japan, visiting Zenko-ji is ...

One of the most dynamic areas in Nagano City is the entertainment district of Gondo. Most people visiting Nagano City often don't venture any further than the station area, but that's a shame. Gondo h...

It is September which means another blog about this month's monkeys!   The monkey below was kept on watching the exit of the Jigokudani Monkey Park, and tried to sneak his way into the room...

When visiting Nagano City, many people choose to stay around the central precinct surrounding the station. It has the greatest concentration of accommodation, restaurants and bars and of course, i...

Nagano City lies in a valley, surrounded by mountains from all sides. If you know the right vantage point, you can see all over the plains of Zenko-ji and surrounding areas like Obuse and even up to t...

Uruoikan is a hot spring facility in Nagano City, next to a rocky hillside and the Susobana River. The onsen is a 100% natural onsen and has outdoor and indoor baths, saunas, and eating options. You c...

Nagano City is bigger than most people imagine, with suburbs going so far out that it will take you 1 hour by car to get there. One of the Nagano suburbs is called Matsushiro, a part of Nagano that is...

As most coming to this area will know, Nagano City was the host city for the 1998 Winter Olympics. With its tall mountains, long snow season, and proximity to Tokyo, Nagano was thought to be the perfe...

One of the main things to do when visiting the temple complex of Zenko-ji, is to find the Key to Paradise. In the main hall of Zenko-ji, under the inner sanctuary and the main altar which holds Japan'...

The page is completely dedicated to the adorable snow monkey babies. The last baby has been born last month in the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, so we thought it was time to introduce you to some o...

The morning service, also called "o-asaji" at Zenko-ji Temple, is one of the most interesting activities that you could partake in while you are in Nagano City.   What's "o-asaji"?  ...

The month August has started and the heat is still continuing. Slowly but surely though, the temperature is going down and becoming more comfortable. The monkeys now sometimes dare to go from their sa...

Shiga Kogen has a great number of hiking courses, all different. The most popular one would be the Lake Course, or the Ike-Meguri in Japanese. This blog is to explain the hiking course step-by-step so...

While the snow monkeys tend to be relaxed, they are not docile. There is a strong hierarchical system amongst the monkeys which is maintained with vigor. When the position of a certain macaque is thre...

A shift in power has occurred within the Jigokudani monkey troop. Togura 95, who has been in power for the past 6 years, has been displaced by Tomamu 96. This has caused the balance of power to shift....

It's summer! It's getting hot in the Snow Monkey area (though still relatively cool compared to places like Tokyo and Kyoto) and the Jigokudani monkeys are feeling the arrival of summer. They've taken...

The Boss of the Jigokudani Monkey troop (named Togura 95, nicknamed Little Black because of his dark fur) hasn't been seen for almost three weeks now. It is not unusual for male monkeys to separate fr...

The month of June has begun and brought with it whole new monkey behavior. The new-born baby monkeys of the Jigokudani Snow Monkeys have become a little bit more confident, finally pulling away from t...

The Shiga Kogen Highlands are most know know as the region that holds the largest ski resorts of all of Japan. Loads of people come to enjoy skiing and snowboarding down the mountains. In summer howev...

The Snow Monkey Resorts Info and Gift Shop is the shop that is found right in front of the trail entrance to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. It is the last stop before you begin your 30-minute long journe...

It's beginning to get warm in Japan, with all the snow on the mountains slowly but surely melting to finally make the high peaks accessible hiking paths. The behavior of the monkeys has changed wi...

If you love fireworks than the Ebisu-ko Fireworks festival in Nagano City is the perfect event for you to go to. It is one of autumn's biggest and most prestigious festivals with over 15,000 firew...

Shibu Onsen is famous for its variety of hot springs and its lovely streets. If you're in the Snow Monkey area for a visit to the Jigokudani Monkeys, don't miss out on a stroll through the picture...

Close to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is a little town called Shibu Onsen. Shibu Onsen is famous for its long history with hot springs (onsen in Japanese). From 600 AC., many Japanese have traveled...

Even though this region is called the Snow Monkey area, we have more than six months without snow. Our Spring, Summer, and Autumn all have their own attractions. In this article we will expand on the ...

It is spring in the Jigokudani area and with the new greens of nature, new life is born to the monkeys. The first baby was reported to be born a week ago, towards the end of April. Usually the ...

The blossoms are finally blooming in the town of Yamanouchi, the town closest to the Snow Monkey Park. Here are a few photo's to give you an impression of the colorful trees.   Here you...

Most of Japan have now seen the last of the sakura blossoms. The cherry flowers in places like Tokyo and Kyoto have fallen from the trees. The trees in Yamanouchi (also known as the snow monkey area) ...

The sun is out and the monkeys are here for the sunshine! While many people think that the monkeys only appear in winter, they are here all year round. Spring is a lovely time to see the Japanese maca...

When you ask people to name three things that define Japan they usually name Mount Fuji, geisha, and cherry blossoms. Nagano Prefecture is quite far from Fuji and we would advise you to go to Kyoto to...

Skiing season in Japan usually ends around the end of March, when the temperature starts rising and the snow starts melting. However, the Shiga Kogen Highlands hold to a different schedule. The...

Having found your way to this website most likely means that you want to see the snow monkeys. Many people do this as a day trip from Tokyo. They leave Tokyo early in the morning and arrive back to To...

Shiga Kogen is the biggest ski resort in Japan with a total of 18 ski areas, 52 working ski lifts and countless slopes. Due to its size it is difficult to look at Shiga as a whole, so we have simplifi...

Shiga Kogen is the biggest ski resort in Japan boasting a total of 19 ski areas, 52 working ski lifts and countless slopes. Due to its size it is difficult to look at Shiga as a whole, so we have divi...

Shiga Kogen is the biggest ski resort in Japan with a total of 19 ski areas, 52 working ski lifts and countless slopes. Due to its size it is difficult to look at Shiga as a whole. To make it easier f...

The Japanese macaques of Jigokudani Monkey Park are known as the "Snow Monkeys". There is however, plenty of time in the year without snow. There is snowfall from the end of November until the beginni...

Snow Monkey Park situation updated (January 22nd 2017) The onsen pipe line has been fixed yesterday late afternoon and the snow monkey park is back to regular business today. There are tons of snow...

Skiing or snowboarding in Japan is a lot of fun. One reason is the great quality of snow, another is the incredibly high level of service, and last but not least is that a one-day ski pass in most are...

When coming to the Shiga Kogen, participating in snow activities is a definite must! But if you've had your fill of playing around in the snow, then a more cultural or entertaining endeavor might be r...

Now that we’ve covered the basics of getting to Nagano on the shinkansen (bullet train) including the different JR Pass options available to you, let’s tackle how to actually buy tickets and use t...

New Year is only a few months away and we have had a few questions about the Snow Monkey Park during New Years. Fret not: the park opens during their usual opening hours. Easy answers out of the way, ...

When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, people regularly refer to "powder snow" and will do anything to find it! Powder is the most coveted type of snow when you want to bomb down a mountain with th...

Do you love to ski or snowboard? Then Shiga Kogen (or Shiga) is where you need to go. The fact that the Highlands were the stage for the 1998 Winter Olympics is already testament to the quality of sno...

Autumn is only just starting, but here in Japan's mountainous region winter will come sooner than you think. Some of you reading this might be in the process of planning your trip to the snow monkeys ...

The city of Nagano has a long history and was formally established as a city on April 1, 1897. It was the first established city within Nagano Prefecture and the 43rd city in Japan. Nagano City is loc...

In a previous article we talked about Togakushi's Okusha Shrine.  Today we would like to introduce to another popular attraction in Togaukshi - the fascinating Ninja Museum!  But firstly, who were the...

  Watching the reds, oranges and yellows of the autumn leaves is the next best thing to watching the cherry blossoms bloom to the Japanese. When the summer heat of August cools down and ch...

Summer is the time of year when it's hot and humid, and it's the best time of the year to be in Japan. When hearing hot and humid most people are likely to think it's better to stay indoors where ther...

On the basis of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program launched in 1971 with the purpose of establishing a scientific basis for the improvement of relationship between people and their environments, S...

This year there were 40 Japanese macaques born in the Jigokudani Monkey Park. This is double the amount compared to most years. Seeing as the Japanese macaques only give birth once every other year, t...

  The town of Yamanouchi, also referred to Yudanaka or the Snow Monkey town, has a new Japanese dining restaurant right in front of Yudanaka Station called "GOEN". They bring you a variety...

Tired of walking and sightseeing? Want to blow off some steam? Here are some spots within Nagano city where you can have fun! Seeing as this topic is quite different from the usual touristic sightseei...

Going to a festival is always a fun occasion but going to a Japanese festival is a whole different experience. Japanese festivals, or “matsuri”, were originally held to pray to various deities for goo...

There are many Buddhist temples in Japan and tourists, both Japanese and foreign, enjoy taking photos of these holy places. But one remains on the fringes of Buddhism by just taking photos. There are ...

Shinto is the religion indigenous to Japan and its rituals play a big part in everyday life. Unlike the majority of religions the Shinto religion has no official scripture. Japanese people who practic...

A trip to Nagano could never be complete without trying some of the local specialities. In Nagano, “soba noodles” is the most popular signature dish. Most Japanese tourists have it on top of their “Wh...

Wanting to enter an onsen, a Japanese hot bath, but feeling insecure about how to? Then please look at the 'How to' article to learn the basics! Here we will introduce you to some of the onsen in t...

Love taking baths? Then the Japanese onsen, or hot spring bath in English, is perfect for you. An onsen is not just for washing but also for relaxing your muscles. It is also quite good for your healt...

Welcome to Snow Monkey Resorts in Nagano, Japan ! Here at Snow Monkey Resorts we would like to on top of your great experience with the snow monkeys make your stay in the area, or even your day-trip, ...

A day-trip is never complete without eating some really good food! So you are about to go up or you just got back from the snow monkeys and you are looking for someplace to eat and/or drink? Please lo...

When you visit Zenkoji-temple, the third largest wooden temple in Japan and one of the most historical temples since the Buddhism arrival in the 7th century, you will pass through the main pilgrim...

“Snow Monkey Resorts” refers to numerous resorts nestled within northern Nagano prefecture in Japan, home of the world famous Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen).   Our landscape, which...

As you may have noticed, the Snow Monkey Resorts has just had a makeover. We are proud to present the new Snow Monkey Resorts website with newer and more advanced features. Information such as tim...

  Since it is getting colder every day, SNOW MONKEY RESORTS INFO & GIFT SHOP located next to the entrance of Snow Monkey Park is providing rental service for winter wear. To be able to...