Visiting the Snow Monkey Park in Nagano: What to Expect

When I visited the Snow Monkey Park in Nagano this February, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Sure, I had seen the iconic photos of monkeys soaking in hot springs, but would there really be snow? Would I actually see them bathing? What about how to get there?

The Snow Monkey Park in Nagano is famous for its wild Japanese monkeys bathing in natural hot springs. The best time to see the monkeys in the snow and hot water is from late January to February. To get there, you’ll need to take a train and a bus (about 2 hours). Then, it’s a 40-minute walk to the park entrance.

Luckily, the park was everything I’d hoped for—lots of snow, plenty of playful monkeys, and an unforgettable experience surrounded by Japan’s winter scenery. Let me tell you all about this trip.

Getting to the Snow Monkey Park

I started my journey from Tokyo early in the morning using the JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass, which made things easy. However, the pass doesn’t fully cover this route. I had to buy a separate Shinkansen ticket for the last section between Sakudaira and Nagano. I purchased this in advance, so I wouldn’t have to switch trains. This was a great decision because it allowed me to stay on the same train from Ueno to Nagano without any complications.

You can buy your shinkansen tickets at the machines or tickets counters on any JR station. Or you can buy tickets in advance through Klook for example. It’s very easy to use, but if you need help, feel free to send me a message.

There’s also the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, which covers the shinkansen all the way to Tsuruga, way beyond Nagano and Kanazawa. If you’re traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka and want to do it through the Japanese Alps, this pass is a great way to save money.

A quick tip: if you’re traveling with luggage, use the coin lockers at Nagano Station. They only take 100-yen coins, but there’s an exchange machine nearby. I found this really useful since I didn’t want to carry extra weight on the hike to the park.

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I bought the Snow Monkey Pass from the machine at Nagano Dentetsu station for 4000 yen, but you can also buy it at the station counter. It covers the train rides on the Nagano Dentetsu Line and the Nagaden Buses for two days, plus one entry to the park. I’d say it’s a great deal, and all you have to do is show it to the driver when you board.

A Scenic (and Slippery) Walk to the Park

The trip to the park was a 40-minute walk through the snow-covered forest, which was really impressive. It was peaceful and not too crowded, which made the experience even better. I even spotted a monkey on my way there! The only warning I have is that the trail was very slippery in places, and at one point there was a section where the melted snow turned to muddy water.

Despite this, I really enjoyed the walk. The fresh air, the sound of crunching snow under my feet, and the anticipation of seeing the monkeys made it a fun adventure. If you visit in winter, wear proper shoes with grip or rent snow gear before starting the hike. There’s a shop near the entrance where you can rent boots, gloves, and other essentials.

Inside the Snow Monkey Park

The park itself isn’t huge, but it’s all about the experience of watching the monkeys in their natural habitat. The main attraction is, of course, the hot spring where the monkeys love to bathe. When I was there, just two of them were relaxing in the hot spring, but there were plenty of others running around, playing in the snow, or climbing on the rocks. It was fascinating to see them interact with each other.

There were a lot of serious photographers with pro cameras, clearly ready to capture the perfect shot. I got some great photos too, and I’ll definitely treasure them for many years to come.

I really liked that the park lets you see the monkeys up close, but you’re not allowed to touch them or feed them. After all, they’re wild animals. It’s a great way to see wildlife in a more ethical setting.

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A Well-Deserved Lunch at Enza Café

After exploring the park, we stopped at Enza Café, which is located near the park’s entrance. It’s a great spot to warm up and grab a bite. The service was friendly, and the place felt very welcoming to tourists.

I got ramen, which was delicious and just what I needed after the cold hike. The rest of the group went for pizzas, which looked good, but they were a bit small. One fun highlight was the “monkey coffee” with its cute latte art design.

One important thing to remember: keep an eye on the bus schedule! We got a little too comfortable and almost missed our ride back to Nagano because we were taking our time eating. The next ride was about two hours later, so make sure you plan your schedule accordingly.

Essential Tips for Visiting the Snow Monkey Park

• Avoid bringing food into the park—it’s prohibited, and the monkeys are curious.

• Dress in layers. The temperature can vary, and you might get warm while walking.

• Rent gear if needed. There’s a shop before the park entrance where you can rent snow boots, gloves, and more.

• Mind the bus schedule. The buses don’t run frequently, so plan your timing carefully.

• Consider the difficulty of the walk. I had a good time, but I did see that older visitors struggled a bit with the slippery path. Families with young kids also took it slow.

Exploring More of Nagano

I had only planned to visit the Snow Monkey Park in the morning, so I still had time to explore Nagano city after checking into my accommodation at 3 p.m. If you’re making this trip, I’d recommend setting aside some extra time to visit Zenkoji Temple or try some local soba noodles—Nagano is famous for them!

Zenkoji Temple is one of Nagano’s most important and historic temples. It was built over 1,400 years ago. The temple has a peaceful atmosphere, and it is really nice to walk around the temple grounds even after it closes.

The street leading to the temple, Nakamise-dori, is a traditional shopping street with souvenir shops, local snacks, and restaurants. You can buy Nagano specialties like oyaki (savory stuffed buns) and soba noodles, as well as beautiful crafts and things related to the temple. The walk towards Zenkoji is a great way to experience the atmosphere of old Japan!

I had a lovely walk from Nagano Station to Zenko-ji Temple, and on my way, I accidentally came upon the charming Saiko-ji Temple on Chuo-dori Street. I went in and had a chat with this lovely old lady who explained the temple’s history to me, even though my Japanese was very basic at the moment. She was so welcoming, and it was clear she was delighted to have visitors come to her temple.

Final Thoughts

The Snow Monkey Park was such an incredible experience! It truly was one of the highlights of my trip. It was an absolute dream to see wild monkeys enjoying a hot spring in the middle of a snowy landscape. The whole journey, from the scenic walk to the close-up encounters with the monkeys, was absolutely worth the effort.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan in the winter, I’d highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. It’s a short day trip from Tokyo, and it’s absolutely worth it. I’m so glad I went, and if you get the chance, I’d love to hear about your experience too!

I would also highly recommend exploring a little more of Nagano, because it really is a lovely place. It’s not overrun with tourists, and the locals are super friendly. I can’t wait to go back!