NAGANO JAPAN |

  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 ...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...