1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snowmobiling in Shiga Kogen

**PLEASE NOTE – this tour will not operate in winter 2023/24. We hope to offer it again in winter 2024/25. If you are looking for some fun in the snow this winter, our 1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour is operating from December to March**.

This enjoyable one-day tour combines a morning of snowmobiling in Japan’s largest mountain resort, Shiga Kogen – including lunch – followed by an early afternoon visit of the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park – home to Nagano’s famous hot spring-loving monkeys. Led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide and certified snowmobile instructor, this tour highlights the best of Nagano in winter and excitement of Japan’s biggest resort!

Highlights

• Experience the thrill of snowmobiling* in the Yakebitai ski fields of Japan’s largest ski resort – Shiga Kogen!
• Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Shiga Kogen
• Visit the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani and learn all about what makes them so unique

*Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 6 years of age. See information below for further details.

Want to join this tour from Tokyo? It’s easy to do! Scroll to the bottom for our FAQs including train services that can you use to join the tour!

Description

This tour has multiple meetup points in Hakuba, Nagano and Yudanaka starting from 07:45. Your guide will have guests board the bus quickly and on its way high into the mountains. As Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, Shiga Kogen’s proximity to the monkey park make it the perfect destination to experience Nagano’s fabled powder snow and the fun of snowmobiling through the beautiful winter landscape.

Your guide will accompany you to the venue where a certified instructor will take over and first explain how to ride the equipment safely and then the fun starts, as you can take control and ride around the circuit. From there you head to lunch at a nearby restaurant before jumping back on the tour bus and heading-out of Shiga to the monkey park.

Arriving in Kanbayashi Onsen around 14:00, your guide will then lead you along the forest trail in the monkey park, where you’ll be introduced to these truly curious creatures. As the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs, the monkeys of Jigokudani have reached global fame and observing them go about their monkey business – foraging, wrestling, grooming and of course, soaking in the hot spring – is a must see when in Nagano!

Scheduled to return to Nagano Station between 17:00 and 17:30 and Hakuba by 18:30 (depending on weather and road conditions), this tour is a true snow-filled adventure that will leave a lasting impression.

MEETUP POINTS – *AVAILABLE FOR WINTER 2021/22 ONWARD*

In winter 2021/22, guests in Hakuba will have the option of joining this tour at two meetup points, along with our main meetup point of Nagano Station and additional meetup point in Yudanaka:

1  /  HAKUBA TOKYU HOTEL, WADANO @ 07:45

Please wait at the entrance of the hotel lobby and be look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please be waiting before the meetup time as the tour will depart by 07:50.

2  /  HAKUBA HAPPO BUS TERMINAL @ 07:55

Please wait inside the bus terminal and be sure look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please be waiting before the meetup time as the tour will depart by 08:00.

3 / NAGANO STATION @ 09:00

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Please be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and please be waiting before the meetup time as the tour will depart by 09:40.

4 / YUDANAKA STATION  @ 09:50

Please wait on or near the stairs of the station, on the side with ticket gates and office. There is no other access to the platform and the station is very small, so it should be clear where to wait. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and please be waiting before the meetup time as the tour will depart by 09:55.

*Please note, due to weather conditions and operational requirements, the tour itinerary can on occasion be reversed. This would mean visiting the monkeys in the morning followed by lunch and afternoon visit to Shiga Kogen. It is not common and if required, the overall content of the tour remains the same with the same start and end times.

NOTES

Included:

• Transportation from/to Hakuba or Nagano Station and all listed destinations
• Entrance fee to the Snow Monkey Park
• Lunch (vegetarian options are available)
• English-speaking guide
• Snowmobiling activity in Shiga Kogen led by a certified instructor

Excluded:

• Rental boots (if required)
• Rental clothing including snow jackets & pants (if required)
• Additional snacks, food & drinks
• Shinkansen/Bullet Train tickets
• Accommodation

What to bring

• The temperature in Shiga Kogen is cold and could be as low as -5°C to -15°C. Please be dressed in warm, waterproof clothing and boots for snow activities. If required, clothing including snow jackets, pants, gloves and snow boots can be rented at the Snow Monkey Park. Please note that there is limited availability for snow outfits, so if you have waterproof, warm clothes fit for snow activities, please bring these with you on the day of the tour.

Other Information

• The minimum age for participation in this tour is 6 years of age. Guests aged 6 to 12 years of age can participate however must ride tandem with a responsible adult. Guests aged 13 and above can ride single or tandem.
• The tour itinerary can be reversed and we may visit the monkeys first followed by lunch and Shiga Kogen, depending on weather and road conditions and other factors on the day. We do so in an effort to provide guests the best possible experience on the day.
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travellers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• There will be a significant amount of walking required (1.6 km one way) to get to and from the Snow Monkey Park, along a forest trail so please wear shoes/boots suitable for walking on snow and ice. Rental boots are available close to the monkey park, if required. Crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased, if required.
• There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park. In such case we will provide an alternative activity.
• While unlikely, should weather or road conditions make it impossible to access Shiga Kogen, we would switch the activity to a visit to Zenko-ji Temple. As we cannot confirm weather conditions until the day of the tour, we would not be able to notify guests of the change in advance.
• If snow conditions are inadequate to conduct the tour, we will endeavour to notify guests in advance of the day and provide the option of switching to our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour.
• Infants (0-5) are unable to participate in snowmobiling and therefore cannot join this tour
• Children (6-12) can participate in this tour but must ride tandem with an adult when snowmobiling.
• Infants (aged under 6) cannot participate in this tour.
• The snowmobiling is led by a certified instructor who will advise you how to use the equipment in a safe and responsible manner prior to the activity beginning. Please ensure that you follow the instructions provided and use the equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• The instructor has the right to refuse or stop participation by any guest who they consider to be unable to use the equipment safely (including intoxication), does not follow instructions or behaves in a manner which endangers themselves or other guests.
• This tour is insured however as the guest, you are required to have your own travel insurance which covers snowmobiling. Please confirm that your insurance policy covers this activity prior to the tour.
• The tour application deadline is 2 days before the tour date at 17:00.