Snow Monkey Pass
For visitors to Nagano, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of the region’s most popular attraction. At its most popular through winter, the monkeys in fact come to the park all year round and each season offers its own unique reasons to visit. So whether you are here in the depths of winter or the warmer months of spring, summer and autumn, we recommend heading to the monkey park to enjoy one of Nagano and Japan’s most unique experiences.
Most people heading to the park will begin their journey at Nagano Station and for those intending to make the journey using public transport, the Snow Monkey Pass offers value for money and opens-up your options of places to visit. Sold by Nagano Dentetsu – or more simply referred to as ‘Nagaden’ – the pass is available for sale at several stations along the Nagaden railway line.
WHAT IS COVERED?
The pass is valid for 2 days from the date of purchase and includes*:
1 / Admission to the Jigokudani Monkey Park – one-time only.
2 / Train: 2-day unlimited use of the Nagaden limited express – non-reserved seating only – and local train services on the Nagano Dentetsu Line.
3 / Express bus: 2-day unlimited use of the Nagaden Express Bus from/to Nagano Station and the monkey park.
4 / Local bus: 2-day unlimited use of the Nagaden Local Bus from/to Yudanaka Station and Kanbayashi Onsen/monkey park.
*Please note, the pass does not cover the local bus fare between Nagano Station and Zenko-ji Temple or express and local bus services to Shiga Kogen Ski Resort.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The pass costs: JPY4,000 per adult (aged 13+) / JPY2,000 for children (6-12). Children under the age of 6, can travel on Nagaden trains and buses and enter the monkey park free of charge.
WHERE CAN I BUY IT?
You have the option of buying the pass either in-person or online, including through our website – see below for details. For visitors wanting to buy the pass in-person online, it can only be redeemed at the Nagano Dentetsu office located inside of Nagano Station on the selected date on the redemption voucher. It cannot be redeemed on any other date. Please see below for details on how to redeem your pass at Nagano Station. If you wish to buy the pass in person, it can be bought at the following stations on the Nagaden Line: NAGANO / GONDO / SUZAKA / OBUSE
CAN I BUY IT ONLINE?
Yes! You can buy it here on our website:
To do so, simply click the button below.
• Validity Period: 2 consecutive days starting from the selected first travel date that was chosen on the calendar. Regardless of the time of day of redemption, the travel date printed on the voucher will always be counted as the first day.
(Please select your preferred date from the calendar)
After completing your purchase, you will receive a notification email which will act as your receipt to claim the Snow Monkey Pass at the Nagano Dentetsu office’s ticket window inside of Nagano Station on the date listed on the redemption voucher ONLY.
Exchange Method:
What to bring on the day
(1) Snow Monkey Resorts Travel voucher (attached to your confirmation email after purchase): Please print out the ticket and bring it with you. You will need it to exchange for the Snow Monkey Pass at Nagano Dentetsu’s office located only inside Nagano Station.
This pass MUST be exchanged on the first date of travel listed in the voucher and cannot be redeemed on any other date. If you need to change the travel date of the voucher, please contact the email that sent you this pass with those details.
(2) Identification of the applicant (e.g. driver’s license): This will be required to exchange the Snow Monkey Pass at Nagano Dentetsu’s office located only in Nagano Station. If the applicant is not the same as the traveler, please contact our office (phone: 026-219-6256) in advance.
To access the Nagano Dentetsu ticket window at Nagano Station, simply exit the station via the Zenko-ji Exit.
As you walk-out of the station you will see an escalator immediately to your right.
Proceed down the escalator and once at the bottom go to your left. The Nagano Dentetsu line ticket window and machines and ticket gates are approximately 50 metres ahead.
The Nagano Dentetsu office and ticket window at Nagano Station is usually open from 06:00 until 23:20 (in time for the earliest and latest services).
For most visitors, buying the pass at Nagano Station will be the most convenient option. To access the Nagano Dentetsu ticket window Nagano Station, simply exit the station via the Zenko-ji Exit.
As you walk-out of the station you will see an escalator immediately to your right.
Proceed down the escalator and once at the bottom go to your left. The Nagano Dentetsu line ticket window and machines and ticket gates are approximately 50 metres ahead.
The Nagano Dentetsu office and ticket window at Nagano Station is usually open from 06:00 until 23:20 (in time for the earliest and latest services). Nagaden can be contacted on +81-(0)26-226-2681.
OTHER THAN THE MONKEY PARK, WHERE CAN I GET TO USING THE PASS?
The Snow Monkey Pass includes 2-days of unlimited use on the Nagano Dentetsu Line. Covering both express and local trains services on this line, the pass can take you to any station located on that line between Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station. The pass opens up the following destinations which can be easily combined with a visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park:
Zenko-ji Temple
As one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, Zenko-ji is the spiritual heart of Nagano. It is also one of Japan’s most welcoming temples, performing a morning ceremony every day of the year and offering a range of Buddhist activities for visitors of any faith or background.
The temple can be accessed using the Snow Monkey Pass, via Gondo Station. Take any express or local train service to Gondo, come up to street level and follow the signs to Zenko-ji – approximately 10-minutes walk.
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen
Yudanaka Station is the terminus of the Nagano Dentetsu Line and the nearest train station to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Located in the centre of Yudanaka Onsen, using the pass opens-up some great accommodation options.
Yudanaka Onsen along with nearby Shibu Onsen, are home to numerous ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), many of which have their own ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs). Staying overnight at one of these guesthouses allows you to experience the traditional comfort and cuisine that Japan is known for.
Shibu Onsen in particular is a quiet and quaint little town with a 1300-year history. Once used to recuperate injured samurai, the town is blessed with numerous onsen sources following into its many guesthouses and 9 public baths.
Obuse
Once an important Edo Period (1603-1868) trading town, Obuse is another little historic town now known for its chestnut confectionaries, sake and miso breweries, and importantly, as home to the Hokusai Museum.
Japan’s most famous artist, Katsushika Hokusai, spent some of this final years in Obuse under the patronage of local merchant Takai Kozan.
It is here that he painted his last great masterpiece – a stunning phoenix – on the ceiling of Gansho-in Temple and Obuse is now also the proud home of a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Suzaka
Another important Edo Period merchant town, Suzaka retains many of its historic buildings and has a quietly emerging food scene and interesting collection of shops. Known as ‘kura’ in Japanese, traditional warehouses are being repurposed for interesting purposes and quietly putting Suzaka on the tourist map while spring sees the town’s beautiful cherry blossom trees blooms around the lake of Suzaka Garyu Park – one of Nagano’s best cherry blossom spots.
