If you are planning a trip to Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Snow Monkey Park), important changes to entry and parking policies are now in effect. The park has officially introduced a new online ticketing system which is mandatory in the peak winter season to visit the park, alongside strict winter parking bans on civilian traffic on the highest congestion days.
To ensure you do not get turned away at the entrance or stranded without parking if visiting in winter, here is what you need to know before visiting.
Ticket Entry Changes to the Snow Monkey Park
Introduction of the Online Reservation System
- Starting in early August 2026, the Snow Monkey Park officially launched a brand-new online ticketing system.
- Unlike in the past, all advance tickets are now date-specific.
- Visitors must lock in the exact day they intend to visit the park ahead of time.
Peak Season Checkpoints
- During the peak periods for the park, walk-in visitors will face strict entry limitations.
- Visiting requires going through a checkpoint set up by the Snow Monkey Park to confirm your advance ticket during the peak season in order to be granted entry to the park's trail.
- If you do not have an online ticket, you may experience a long wait before entering.
- Depending on congestion levels, visitors without advance tickets may be denied entry entirely, which will waste an entire day's plans.
Why You Must Plan Ahead for Visits
Identifying Peak and Crowded Dates
- The winter season brings heavy snowfall and massive crowds to the Nagano region for skiing and visits to the monkey park.
- Peak congestion primarily falls in winter between December and March, but could also include important travel dates in the Japanese calendar like Golden Week, Silver Week, and the Obon Holiday.
- The New Year holidays, as well as all weekends and public holidays during winter, are considered exceptionally crowded and will not offer parking or potentially even walk-in tickets.
- It is highly recommended that you secure a ticket in advance or join a tour once you have decided that you will visit the park.
Severe Parking Restrictions
- Parking at the facility is highly limited and fills up rapidly.
- On the most congested peak days—specifically the New Year holidays and weekends/public holidays from December through March—parking lots will be completely closed to non-authorized vehicles.
- The surrounding area becomes hazardous for vehicles and pedestrians due to snow and ice.
- Visitors are strictly urged to take a guided tour or use public transportation during these peak times in winter.
The Best Way to Visit: Book a Tour with Snow Monkey Resorts
Guaranteed Entry and Transport
- Booking a guided tour with Snow Monkey Resorts is the most reliable way to experience the park.
- By booking with us, you completely bypass the hassle of securing an advance ticket yourself regardless of the date—your park entry is guaranteed.
- We provide direct, comfortable transportation that drops you close to the tour areas.
- Our transport allows you to avoid the headache of winter parking bans and public transport delays entirely.
A Seamless, All-Inclusive Experience
- Our tours take the stress out of your winter itinerary.
- You will not have to worry about sold-out entry slots or navigating foreign booking portals.
- Guests avoid dealing with icy trail checkpoints on their own.
- You get to enjoy the expertise of our local guides and a carefully curated, time-efficient schedule.
Guided Tours to the Snow Monkey Park that Guarantee you a Ticket
As a leading tour & travel operator in Japan, Snow Monkey Resorts is proud to offer multiple tours that combine a visit to the Snow Monkey Park with other fun, local activities. No matter the season, we can help you make the most of your time in Nagano. Whether you are traveling with your family, with friends, or on your own, we are sure to have an experience that suits your needs!
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple and Sake in Nagano
Our most popular offering provides a fantastic overview of Nagano's cultural and natural highlights. Guests on this delightful excursion will enjoy a rich cultural experience before heading into the mountains to see the monkeys.
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Guaranteed Park Entry & Transport: Skip the hassle of navigating the new online reservation system or worrying about closed parking lots on crowded winter days; we secure your advance ticket and provide direct transport.
- Sake Tasting: Begin your day by sampling local Nagano sake.
- Zenkoji Temple: Enjoy a guided tour of this deeply historic and important Buddhist temple.
- Included Lunch: Sit down for a delicious meal at a nearby local restaurant.
- Private Transport: Travel comfortably to the Monkey Park in our private tour vehicle.
- Guided Monkey Park Walk: Your guide will lead the way up the trail to the monkeys' habitat and safely escort you back to your starting destination.
For those skiing in Nozawa Onsen, Madarao Kogen, or Myoko Kogen, we run this tour from this area so you can have a stress free day off from the slopes!
Recommended
(Winter Only) 1-Day Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyNozawa Onsen
- Pick-up:
- Nozawa Onsen
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityNozawa Onsen
Recommended
(Winter Only) 1-Day Tour From Myoko & Madarao: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyMyokoMadarao
- Pick-up:
- MadaraoMyoko
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityMadaraoMyoko
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen
For those guests visiting during the snowy winter months, this tour is the perfect day trip to experience what winter in Nagano is all about!
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyShiga Kogen
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityYudanaka/Shibu
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityYudanaka/Shibu
- Hassle-Free Winter Access: Winter brings severe parking restrictions and the need for advance online tickets, but our tour handles all the logistics, guaranteeing your entry and providing seamless transportation directly to the trail.
- Winter Activities: Enjoy exciting snow activities like sledding and riding snow scoots in the beautiful Shiga Kogen highlands.
- Monkey Park Visit: Watch the famous macaques relax in their snowy environment.
- Included Lunch: Warm up and recharge with a provided lunch during your day of snow fun.
- Family Friendly: A great option for anyone looking to add some active winter thrills to their monkey viewing experience.
Private Snow Monkey Tour
Popular
[START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow Monkey
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakubaNozawa OnsenShiga KogenMadaraoMyoko
For those who want complete control over their schedule, we offer private, fully customizable tours starting straight from Nagano City.
- Easy Booking: Simply send us an inquiry describing your ideal itinerary, and we will help you build your perfect day!
- Stress-Free Logistics: Even on the busiest winter days, we handle all the difficult logistics, including securing your advance entry tickets and bypassing closed parking lots, so you can just relax and enjoy your custom day.
- Customized Experience: Tailor the day exactly to your group's preferences and pace.
- Flexible Itinerary: Combine the Snow Monkey Park with nearby attractions of your choosing, such as Zenkoji Temple.
- Dedicated Guide & Transport: Enjoy private transportation and the undivided attention of your local guide.
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano
This unforgettable tour is the absolute easiest way to enjoy a relaxed spring day in Nagano, combining two of Japan's most amazing natural spectacles.
Popular
(Spring Only) 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow Monkey
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
- Seasonal Beauty: Witness the breathtaking bloom of Nagano's famous cherry blossoms.
- Jigokudani Macaques: Visit the hot-spring-loving monkeys as the weather begins to warm.
- Relaxed Itinerary: Designed to let you take in the vibrant spring scenery at a comfortable, enjoyable pace.
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine in Nagano
If you would like to see more of Nagano's breathtaking nature and learn about its deep spiritual history, this is the perfect excursion.
Small Group
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyTogakushi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
- Spiritual History: Visit the legendary Togakushi Shrine, also known as the “Five Shrines.”
- Ancient Cedar Forest: Walk the famous, mystical path lined with towering ancient cedar trees leading up to the inner shrine.
- Monkey Park Visit: Contrast the quiet spirituality of the shrine with the playful nature of the wild macaques.
- Nature Focused: Ideal for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Japan's profound natural landscapes.
Independent Visiting: What You Need to Know
If you still choose to visit independently without a tour, you must navigate the online reservation system yourself prior to your arrival.
The Booking Portal
Independent tickets must be reserved online via the official Webket Reservation System.
Note: If the linked webpage displays in Japanese, please toggle to English at the top of the page where you see the flag symbol.
Account Registration
You must create and register a Webket account using your email address before you can proceed with a purchase.
Advance Booking & Timeslots
Tickets open 90 days in advance (at midnight JST). When booking, you must select your specific visit date as well as your entry timeslot which cannot be changed without cancellation after booking. There is a maximum number of tickets that an individual can purchase at one time.
Note: Depending on reasons such as the end of the sales period, a message saying "There are no applicable products" may be displayed. In that case tickets may not be able to purchased at that time any longer
Accepted Payment Methods
Payment must be made via a 3D-Secure enabled credit card. The accepted card types are VISA, MasterCard, JCB, and American Express.
Note: The use of debit or prepaid cards is not recommended, as a credit limit is secured immediately and refunds for failed transactions can take up to 60 days.
Ticket Issuance (QR Code)
After successfully completing your payment, a ticket in the form of a QR code will be issued. You must present this QR code to the facility staff upon arrival using one of the following methods:
- The purchase completion notification email sent to you after the transaction.
- The digital ticket (QR code) accessed directly from your purchase history on your Webket "My Page."
Note: If your device cannot display the QR code on the day of your visit, please make sure to write down and bring your 25-digit "purchase number" to the venue.
Cancellation Limits
Cancellations are per payment unit and are only permitted up to 3 days prior to your visit date. After that, tickets are completely non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, advance tickets are highly recommended year-round and are mandatory during the peak winter season (December through March) and major holidays. Visitors without a date-specific online ticket will be stopped at trail checkpoints and may face long waits or be denied entry entirely on congested days.
Tickets are released 90 days in advance at midnight (JST) on the official Webket Reservation System.
You can cancel your tickets up to 3 days prior to your scheduled visit date. After that, tickets are completely non-refundable.
You will need to create a registered account on the third-party Webket site and use a 3D-Secure enabled credit card to complete your payment.
It is highly discouraged and often impossible. During weekends, public holidays, and the New Year period from December through March, civilian parking lots are completely closed to non-authorized vehicles. The mountain roads are also hazardous due to snow and ice. We strongly advise taking a guided tour or using public transport.
No. The Japanese macaques are wild animals, and their daily habits depend on the weather and natural behavior. Tickets remain non-refundable even if no monkeys are present on the day of your visit.
The most seamless way to visit is by booking a guided tour with Snow Monkey Resorts. We handle all the difficult logistics—including securing your guaranteed entry tickets and providing private, direct transport that bypasses civilian parking bans—so you can enjoy a completely stress-free experience.