Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Day Trip from Tokyo

Jigokudani Monkey Park and the snow monkeys

Jigokudani means Hell's Valley, a name that comes from the steam and hot springs rising from the rocky ground in a steep, snowy gorge. Wild Japanese macaques live here, and in the cold months they bathe in the naturally heated pools, which is why they are called snow monkeys. The park was set up in the 1960s to protect them, and the monkeys are used to visitors, so they walk past at close range.

Rules protect the animals: do not touch or feed the monkeys, keep your distance and avoid direct eye contact, since they can be territorial. Sightings in the hot spring are not guaranteed and depend on the weather; from mid-March, monkeys may not enter the water. Even so, watching them groom, play and warm themselves in winter is what makes a Jigokudani snow monkey tour from Tokyo memorable.

The forest walk to the park

From the parking area, the path to the park is a walk of more than 30 minutes through forest, often on snow or ice. It is not steep but it can be slippery, so non-slip shoes such as snow boots are strongly recommended. The path follows a valley, and on a cold morning the steam from the hot springs is visible ahead.

Crampons are sold on board the coach if you need them. Bring warm layers, gloves and a hat, since winter temperatures in Nagano are far colder than in Tokyo. The tour allows about two hours at the park, with time for photographs from a respectful distance.

Lunch on the road and life in Nagano

The journey north takes about three and a half hours, with two or three stops at service areas. Lunch is a Japanese beef sukiyaki, a hot pot cooked at the table, taken at Shinshu Fruitsland. Tell us in advance if you prefer pork, vegetarian (including egg and dairy) or vegan; fish and chicken are not available, and if you need halal food, message us before booking.

Nagano Prefecture is known for its mountains, for hot-spring towns such as Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen close to the park, and for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. If you ask what the best time to visit Jigokudani is, January and February usually bring the deepest snow.

Kamakura no Sato snow huts and the practical visit

Between late January and the beginning of March, the tour also visits Kamakura no Sato, a display of illuminated snow domes. Kamakura here is the Japanese word for a snow hut, the same word as the seaside city but a very different sight.

The group meets in Shinjuku and the tour ends with a drop-off in central Tokyo; there is no drop-off in Nagano and no hotel pickup. Follow the advised departure time strictly, since latecomers are not refunded. This tour is for international visitors. Bring warm layers, gloves and a hat for the outdoor sections, since the huts and the valley look their best when it is coldest.