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January 13, 2021
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in January 2021
It’s certainly been a great start to winter with plenty of snow falling all over Nagano and in the monkey park. As always, the monkeys have been coming to the park in big numbers this winter as t...
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December 21, 2020
Say Goodbye to 2020 and ‘Hello’21!’: There’s Plenty of Great Deals in Nagano this Winter!
Winter is off to a great start here in Nagano! The snow has been falling and the resorts are already looking fantastic, with great powder and very quiet ski runs offering an enticing reason to vi...
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December 7, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 7th December 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ page includes a dedicated ‘COVID-19 Update’ page which we update each week or whenever m...
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November 30, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 30th November 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ page includes a dedicated ‘COVID-19 Update’ page which we update each week or whenever m...
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November 23, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 23rd November 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ page includes a dedicated ‘COVID-19 Update’ page which we update each week or whenever m...
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November 16, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 16th November 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ page includes a dedicated ‘COVID-19 Update’ page which we update each week or whenever m...
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November 9, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 9th November 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ page includes a dedicated ‘COVID-19 Update’ page which we update each week or whenever m...
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November 2, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 2nd November 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our 'Clean Green & Healthy' page includes a dedicated 'COVID-19 Update' page which we update each week or whenever m...
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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...
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October 26, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 26th October 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our 'Clean Green & Healthy' page includes a dedicated 'COVID-19 Update' page which we update each week or whenever m...
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October 19, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 19th October 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our 'Clean Green & Healthy' page includes a dedicated 'COVID-19 Update' page which we update each week or whenever m...
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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...
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September 28, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Nagano, Japan: Monday 28th September 2020
Looking for information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 in Japan? Our 'Clean Green & Healthy' page includes a dedicated 'COVID-19 Update' page which we update each week or whenever m...
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September 25, 2020
Snow Monkey Resorts Online Shop: Can’t Come To Us? Let Us Send The Monkeys To You!
Most famous for their antics in winter, the ‘snow monkeys’ of Jigokudani actually come to the park all year round! Just as much fun in spring, summer and autumn as they are in winter, the monkeys...
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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...
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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...
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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 – ...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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. ...
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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...
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May 18, 2020
Snow Monkey Resorts Update: the Jigokudani Monkey Park has Reopened to the Public
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 ...
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April 22, 2020
Snow Monkey Resorts Winter Tours & Charters
From all of us at Snow Monkey Resorts, we would like to give a big shout out to all of our guests who joined us in Nagano during winter 2019/20! Thanks to you we were able to have a successful winte...
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April 16, 2020
Snow Monkey Resorts Update: the Jigokudani Monkey Par is Closed until May 15th 2020
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...
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March 27, 2020
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in March 2020
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...
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March 26, 2020
Travelling in Japan: Coronavirus Update as of Mar-26 2020
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...
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March 13, 2020
Travelling in Japan: Coronavirus Update as of Mar-13 2020
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...
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February 27, 2020
Travelling in Japan: English Language Coronavirus Advisory
Recent concern over the spread of corona virus has understandably led to questions about the ability to travel to and from Nagano. The situation is changing on a daily basis therefore getting the mo...
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February 22, 2020
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in February 2020
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...
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February 3, 2020
2020 Nagano Cherry Blossom Forecast
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...
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January 27, 2020
Snow Report January 2020: Where’s the Best Snow in Nagano this Winter?
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 ...
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January 13, 2020
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in January 2020
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...
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December 20, 2019
Enjoying the Kiso Valley in Collaboration with Kisoji.com!
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 ...
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November 13, 2019
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in November 2019
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...
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November 11, 2019
Snow Monkey Resorts Update Nov-11 2019: Water has been Restored & Final Repairs to the Park are Underway
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...
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October 18, 2019
Snow Monkey Resorts Update for Oct-18 2019: the Park is Open & the Monkeys have Returned!
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...
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October 16, 2019
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in October 2019
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 wit...
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Snow Monkey Resorts Update for Oct-16 2019: Tours are Operating as Normal
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...
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October 15, 2019
Snow Monkey Park Update for Oct-15 2019: the Park has Reopened
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...
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October 14, 2019
SNOW MONKEY PARK UPDATE FOR OCT-14 2019: THE PARK REMAINS CLOSED
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...
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October 13, 2019
SNOW MONKEY PARK UPDATE FOR OCT-13 2019: THE PARK IS CLOSED
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...
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October 12, 2019
SNOW MONKEY PARK UPDATE FOR OCT-12 2019: CLOSED DUE TO TYPHOON
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...
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September 25, 2019
BEST TRADITIONAL HOT SPRING TO ENJOY JAPANESE AUTUMN LEAVES
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...
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September 24, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN SEPTEMBER 2019
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...
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September 17, 2019
ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & DISCOVER THE TRUE NATURE OF JAPAN: INTRODUCING OUR 2-DAY PRIVATE TOUR TO AZUMINO, NAGANO
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...
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August 18, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN AUGUST 2019
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...
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July 31, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JULY 2019
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 ...
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July 27, 2019
1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS, ZENKO-JI TEMPLE & SAKE TOUR: ALTERNATE PICKUP POINTS AVAILABLE IN NAGANO CITY!
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 1...
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July 14, 2019
COMBINING SNOW MONKEY RESORTS SKI PACKAGES & PRIVATE CHARTERS: RECOMMENDED MULTI-RESORT SKI TOURS IN NAGANO!
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...
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July 7, 2019
Get More Out of Your Winter Adventure in Japan: Private Charters to, from & Between any Nagano Ski Resort!
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...
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June 25, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JUNE 2019
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...
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June 22, 2019
TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS: OUR 1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS, ZENKO-JI TEMPLE & SAKE TOUR NAMED ONE OF JAPAN’S TOP 10 EXPERIENCES FOR 2019!
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...
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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...
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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...
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June 2, 2019
ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST TOUR: 1-DAY SNOW MONKEYS & ZENKO-JI WINTER ILLUMINATION!
*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 ...
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May 17, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN MAY 2019
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...
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April 27, 2019
PHOTOBLOG SPECIAL: THE FIRST BABY SNOW MONKEYS OF 2019!
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 ...
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April 22, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN APRIL 2019
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...
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April 6, 2019
CHERRY BLOSSOM FORECAST IN NAGANO APRIL April 2019 (updated on April 20th 2019)
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 ...
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April 5, 2019
SPRING SKIING IN SHIGA KOGEN – APRIL 2019
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...
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April 3, 2019
HOTEL KOKUSAI 21 – SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE FOR NAGANO STATION
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 spring)....
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March 15, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN MARCH 2019
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...
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March 11, 2019
LOOKING FOR JAPAN`S BEST CHERRY BLOSSOMS? INTRODUCING OUR TAKATO CASTLE PARK CHERRY BLOSSOM TOUR!
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...
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February 26, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN FEBRUARY 2019
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...
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February 2, 2019
BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE DARK NIGHT: NAGANO’S TOMYO LANTERN FESTIVAL
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. Runni...
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January 24, 2019
2019 NAGANO CHERRY BLOSSOM FORECAST
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...
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January 21, 2019
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JANUARY 2019
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...
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January 13, 2019
INTRODUCING AZUMINO: 15 THINGS TO DO IN NAGANO’S NEXT MUST-VISIT DESTINATION!
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...
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December 24, 2018
NAGANO SKI RESORTS INFO – WHICH ARE THE LONGEST SKI RUNS IN NAGANO?
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,...
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December 15, 2018
Fun in the Nagano Snow? Join our Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour!
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 t...
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December 14, 2018
Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in December 2018
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 take...
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December 7, 2018
HOTARU-TEI: JAPANESE DINING & LUNCH IN A 160-YEAR-OLD MANSION
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...
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November 30, 2018
WINTER TOUR PICKUP SERVICE: AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (Dec 1st 2018 to Mar 31st 2019)!
*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 ...
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November 29, 2018
ZENKO-JI OMOTESANDO ILLUMINATION: A GREAT WAY TO EXPLORE NAGANO AT NIGHT!
*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...
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November 19, 2018
WHEN WILL IT START SNOWING IN THE SNOW MONKEY PARK?
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...
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November 16, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN NOVEMBER 2018
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...
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November 6, 2018
How To: Getting to Nagano from Tokyo by Shinkansen
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...
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November 2, 2018
INTRODUCING OUR NEW 2-DAY SNOW MONKEY TOUR: NAGANO TO TAKAYAMA via MATSUMOTO
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...
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October 28, 2018
Shiga Kogen’s Central Area: a Resort Within a Resort!
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 impr...
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October 22, 2018
Shiga Kogen: Explore Japan’s Largest Mountain Resort on ‘Ski Safari’
Maruike & Sunvalley [Yellow Zone] These two ski areas are the first that you'll come to when ascending the mountain road that leads to the resort (approximately 30-35 minutes drive from Yudana...
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October 14, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN OCTOBER 2018
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...
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October 11, 2018
Shiga Kogen: Nagano’s Biggest & Best Ski Resort!
With around 80 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 in the list as ...
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October 8, 2018
SHIGA KOGEN: BIGGER, HIGHER, BETTER!
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 ...
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October 6, 2018
SHIGA KOGEN: SKIING IN NAGANO VS HOKKAIDO
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...
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September 30, 2018
Sales of Snow Monkey Pass for 2018 Green Season finishes on Sep 30.
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...
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September 22, 2018
AUTUMN FRUIT-PICKING IN NAGANO: AN EASY DAY TRIP FROM NAGANO STATION
Nagano is synonymous with apples. Ripening to perfection each autumn, fruit-picking directly from local orchards is an enjoyable (and delicious!) activity that can be done with family and friends with...
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September 19, 2018
INTRODUCING OUR NEW SNOW MONKEY WINTER TOUR FROM HAKUBA!
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...
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September 17, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN SEPTEMBER 2018
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...
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September 12, 2018
Shiga Kogen Travel Tips: Hotel Mount Shiga
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...
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September 10, 2018
AUTUMN FRUIT-PICKING IN NAGANO: 6 APPLE VARIETIES, ALL YOU CAN EAT!
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, fruit-picking di...
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August 20, 2018
THE 3 BEST ‘ONSENS’ (HOT SPRINGS) NEAR THE SNOW MONKEY PARK
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,...
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August 16, 2018
STAYING OVERNIGHT AT THE SNOW MONKEY AREA: 9 THINGS TO DO
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-...
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August 12, 2018
NAGANO’S ‘ENNICHI’ SUMMER FESTIVAL: EAT, DRINK, DANCE!
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...
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PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN AUGUST 2018
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...
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July 26, 2018
REASONS FOR THE VISITING THE SNOW MONKEY PARK IN SUMMER: COMBINE YOUR VISIT WITH A LOCAL FESTIVAL
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, ...
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July 25, 2018
SHIGA KOGEN: THE BEST POWDER IN NAGANO!
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...
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July 19, 2018
REASONS FOR THE VISITING THE SNOW MONKEY PARK IN SUMMER: BABY MONKEYS, LOTS OF THEM!
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...
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MONZEN TERRACE ENYA: A WELCOME ADDITION TO NAGANO CITY’S RESTAURANT SCENE
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...
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July 11, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JULY 2018
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...
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July 9, 2018
REASONS FOR THE VISITING THE SNOW MONKEY PARK IN SUMMER: THE MONKEYS ARE HERE ALL YEAR!
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...
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June 26, 2018
SNOW MONKEY AREA FAVORITES: HOTEL SENJUKAKU
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...
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June 14, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JUNE 2018
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 ...
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June 11, 2018
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING RULES IN SHIGA KOGEN
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...
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May 21, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN MAY 2018
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...
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May 15, 2018
TOUR PICKUP POINTS IN NAGANO CITY: WINTER 2018/19 (Dec 1st 2018 to Mar 31st 2019)
*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 ...
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May 9, 2018
PHOTOBLOG SPECIAL: THE FIRST BABY SNOW MONKEYS OF 2018!
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...
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GETTING TO THE SNOW MONKEY PARK BY BUS: REVISED TIMETABLES FOR APRIL TO NOVEMBER Getting to the Snow Monkey Park by Bus: Revised Timetables for April to November
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 ...
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May 6, 2018
JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK: RESEARCH INDICATES THAT SNOW MONKEYS BATHE TO REDUCE STRESS
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...
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April 29, 2018
ANNOUNCEMENT: FORGET THE ROYAL BABY, THE FIRST BABY SNOW MONKEY OF 2018 HAS ARRIVED!
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...
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April 26, 2018
Bus or Train? How to Get to the Snow Monkey Park from JR Nagano Station
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 ...
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April 19, 2018
2018/4/19 NAGANO CHERRY BLOSSOM UPDATE
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...
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HOTEL KOKUSAI 21: PICK-UP/DROP-OFF SERVICE
(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...
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April 5, 2018
2018/4/5 NAGANO CHERRY BLOSSOM UPDATE
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...
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April 4, 2018
JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK: SUMMER OPENING TIMES
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...
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March 18, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN MARCH
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...
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March 11, 2018
Recommended Nagano Ski Resorts
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 o...
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February 16, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI SNOW MONKEYS IN FEBRUARY
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...
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January 29, 2018
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI SNOW MONKEYS IN JANUARY
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...
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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 ...
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January 19, 2018
LIMITED PLAN: SNOW MONKEY TRANSPORTATION PASS & ACCOMMODATION
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...
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December 3, 2017
SHIGA KOGEN SNOW UPDATE: December 3rd 2017
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...
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December 1, 2017
NAGANO FAVORITES: HOTEL KOKUSAI 21
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...
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November 26, 2017
TOUR PICK-UP SERVICE POINTS IN NAGANO CITY (Dec 1 2017 to March 31 2018)
*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 ...
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November 4, 2017
JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK UPDATE: WINTER OPENING TIMES
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...
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October 31, 2017
10/31 THE KANBAYASHI ROUTE TO THE SNOW MONKEY PARK IS REOPENED
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...
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October 26, 2017
SHIGA KOGEN: SKI & SNOWBOARD RENTAL
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...
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October 23, 2017
10/23 MONKEY PARK UPDATE: CLOSED FOR TODAY
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...
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October 10, 2017
SHIGA KOGEN: FIRST SNOW FESTIVAL
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...
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September 12, 2017
TRADITIONAL CRAFT EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS & INTERESTING SHOPS ON THE STREET LEADING TO ZENKO-JI TEMPLE
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...
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July 23, 2017
CHANGES IN THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY HIERARCHY
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....
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July 15, 2017
PHOTOBLOG: JAPAN’S SNOW MONKEYS IN JULY
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...
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June 24, 2017
SNOW MONKEY ALPHA MALE MISSING
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...
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June 12, 2017
PHOTOBLOG JUNE: SNOW MONKEY OF THE MONTH
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...
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June 3, 2017
SHIGA KOGEN: WHAT TO DO IN SUMMER
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...
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May 22, 2017
PHOTOBLOG: JAPAN’S SNOW MONKEYS IN MAY
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...
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May 17, 2017
FACTS ABOUT THE EBISU-KO FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
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...
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May 10, 2017
SHIBU ONSEN: TOURING THE 9 HOT SPRINGS
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...
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May 7, 2017
SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN THE SNOW MONKEY AREA
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 ...
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May 4, 2017
SNOW MONKEYS OF JIGOKUDANI – BABY SEASON 2017
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 ...
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April 28, 2017
PHOTOBLOG: 2017/4/28 CHERRY BLOSSOM UPDATE
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...
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April 8, 2017
CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON/SITES IN NORTHERN NAGANO
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...
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January 22, 2017
SNOW MONKEY PARK SITUATION UPDATED (January 22nd 2017)
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...
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January 13, 2017
How To: Shinkansen Reservations to Nagano
Now that we’ve covered the basics of getting to Nagano on the shinkansen including the different JR Pass options available to you, let’s tackle how to actually buy tickets and use the train. This pa...
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December 20, 2016
NEW YEARS AT ZENKOJI TEMPLE & SNOW MONKEY AREA
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, ...
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September 22, 2016
WINTER IS COMING: SNOW MONKEY VERSION
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 ...
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August 9, 2016
JAPANESE FIREWORKS FESTIVALS
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...
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July 26, 2016
LITTLE SNOW MONKEYS PLAYING ABOUT
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...
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July 18, 2016
Japanese Dining GOEN
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...
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December 8, 2015
NEW WEBSITE
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...