1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour

Duration9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 18 travelers

Overview

This adventurous one-day tour combines a visit to the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani with morning of fun in the deep powder snow of Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest ski resort! Including lunch and led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour follows a simple equation: snow monkeys + lots more snow = big fun in Shiga Kogen!

Options

Start from Nagano Station

Meeting Point Nagano Station: In front of the Information Board at 08:45 Nagano Station across the Shinkansen ticket gates.
Starting point:
Nagano Station, Kurita, Nagano, 380-0921, Japan

Start from Yudanaka Station

Meeting Point: Yudanaka Stn: Please wait on or near the stairs of Yudanaka Station on the side with ticket gates and office at 9:50
Starting point:
Yudanaka Station, Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan

What's included

Snow activity fees in Shiga Kogen
Lunch
English-speaking guide
Entry fee to the Snow Monkey Park
Transportation from your desired meetup point to all tour destinations and back.

Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets to / from Nagano
Rental clothing including snow jackets, pants, and boots
Additional snacks, food & drinks
Accommodation
Skiing or snowboarding at Shiga Kogen

What to expect

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
2h · Admission ticket included

You will be transported to the central area of Shiga Kogen for a morning of snow fun, with an activity area sectioned-off for you to enjoy using snowscoots, snowdrives, and good old-fashioned sleds and tubes. While at the resort you will also have time for lunch a restaurant next to the ski fields - included in the price of the tour.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
2h 30m · Admission ticket included

Meet these truly curious creatures and have time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself. Please note that estimated time at the monkey park includes walking in and out along the forest trail - 1.6km each way / 25 minutes each way in summer, slightly longer in winter. We endeavor to give our guests 1 hour in the park to observe the monkeys.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

For guests joining from Yudanaka Station: your guide will meet you at Yudanaka Station at 09:50. Your guide will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and guide ID. The tour will need to depart immediately so please ensure you are at the meeting point in advance of the meeting time.

Meeting point

The meetup point is at the entrance of Hotel Kokusai 21 at 08:20. Please note that this is a group tour and not a private tour. Your guide will not have time to wait or call up to your room so please ensure you are at the hotel entrance in advance of the meetup time so that the tour is not delayed.

Meeting point

In front of the Information Board at 08:45 Nagano Station across the Shinkansen ticket gates. Your guide will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and guide ID. The tour will need to depart by 08:40 so please ensure you are at the meeting point in advance of the meeting time.

End point

For guests joining from Yudanaka Station: your guide will meet you at Yudanaka Station at 09:50. Your guide will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and guide ID. The tour will need to depart immediately so please ensure you are at the meeting point in advance of the meeting time.

End point

The meetup point is at the entrance of Hotel Kokusai 21 at 08:20. Please note that this is a group tour and not a private tour. Your guide will not have time to wait or call up to your room so please ensure you are at the hotel entrance in advance of the meetup time so that the tour is not delayed.

End point

In front of the Information Board at 08:45 Nagano Station across the Shinkansen ticket gates. Your guide will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and guide ID. The tour will need to depart by 08:40 so please ensure you are at the meeting point in advance of the meeting time.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests are required to walk in and out of the monkey park along a 1.6km / 1 mile trail. In winter, the trail and park will be affected by snow and ice. This walk should not be attempted by anyone who is mobility impaired, in a wheelchair or cannot confidently walk an extended distance over snow and ice. If you have concerns about you or a member of your group's ability to handle the conditions, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
This tour does not include skiing or snowboarding, nor is there the time to arrange your own skiing and snowboarding while at the resort.
There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park or that the monkeys leave the park early. While this is unlikely to happen, it is possible and is outside of our control.
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.
Infants (0-5) are free of charge. (No tour meal is included. Please order foods directly from the restaurant.)
This tour is insured however as the guest, you are required to have your own travel insurance which covers snow activities including riding chairlifts and using snowdrives, snowscoots, sleds, and tubes. Please confirm that your insurance policy covers this activity prior to the tour.
The temperature in the Shiga Highlands in the winter is cold and can be minus 5 – 10 degrees. Dress in warm, waterproof clothing and boots for snow activities. Snow outfits (snow jackets, pants, gloves, snow boots) are available to rent for ¥500 each. Crampons may be purchased at Snow Monkey Park, if needed.
Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (101)