NAGANO 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...

Sitting in north-west corner of Central Japan, Kanazawa is a popular stop on the route from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. Terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line running from Tokyo via Nagano, along...

Lying around 2.5 hours to the west to Tokyo, Mount Fuji is Japan’s most recognisable natural landscape and iconic tallest mountain. An active volcano, Fuji is an imposing presence that dominates ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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. ...

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...

Snow Monkey Resorts is happy to advise that the Jigokudani Monkey Park has reopened and is again welcoming visitors. Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the park requests that visitors respect the ...

As a precaution against the spread of coronavirus, the Jigokudani Monkey Park will be closed from this Saturday April 18th until Sunday May 15th 2020. It is possible that the date of re-opening will...

From everyone at Snow Monkey Resorts, we’d like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and with that, provide a quick cherry blossom update. Yesterday was lovely, sunny and warm spring day here in Nagano. ...

Nestled high in the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi is one of Nagano and Japan’s most beautiful alpine landscapes. Renowned for its pristine nature and spiritual importance, the stunning alpi...

As March draws to a close it is certainly quiet in the Jigokudani Monkey Park. While the park remains open, visitor numbers are extremely low given current circumstances impacting travel to and from...

The impact of the coronavirus on daily life around the globe is now dramatic. We wish everyone well and please follow the advisories in your home countries and regions, to ensure your health and saf...

As the coronavirus continues disrupt daily life around the world, many are wondering about its impact in Japan and their plans to travel to Nagano. As included in our previous blog, the following we...

We are now well into the second half of winter and life goes on, much as usual, at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. This year’s weather is much warmer than usual and from day-to-day, conditions at t...

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 th...

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 ski ...

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 relativ...

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 Decembe...

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 Novembe...

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 a...

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 typhoo...

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 fro...

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 foll...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano is home to around 80 independent ski resortsand blessed with some of the best powder in the world. Whether you are visiting Nagano for the first time o...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

*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 ...

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...

When heading to Nagano from Tokyo, the shinkansen - often referred to as the 'Bullet Train' - is by far, the fastest and easiest way to get here! Taking between 80 and 110 minutes (depending on whic...

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...

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...

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, and Kanbayashi Onsens,...

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-...

*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,...

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...

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 ...

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...

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

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...

A visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of Nagano's most enjoyable experiences. For most people, the journey will begin at Nagano Station from where they have the option of heading to the park ...

(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 20th 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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Approximately 45km to the east of Nagano City, Shiga Kogen can be readily accessed using public transport. Most people will start their journey from Nagano Station or from the nearby monkey park or ...

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...

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. Located within walking distance of Nagano Station and positioned next to the Susobana River, Uruoikan is the only 100% natural onsen in the city off...

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 may if not most visitors heading to the region know, Nagano was the host venue of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. With its tall mountains, long snow season, and proximity to Tokyo, Nagano was thou...

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 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"?  ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

“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...