Snow Monkey Park Day Trip: Everything You Need to Know

After I wrote my last article about the Snow Monkey Park, I got a ton of questions about how to plan the perfect day trip. You could visit the park on your own or on a tour, but which one would you choose? Well, you can’t decide if you don’t have the right information.

A lot of people are curious about the possibility of taking a day trip from Tokyo to the Snow Monkey Park. Some visitors have a hard time figuring out how to get there and how long they should spend at the park. Some people wonder if buying the Snow Monkey Pass is actually worth it.

In this guide, I’ll share all the details from my experience and answer your questions so you can plan your visit the best way possible.

Can you do a day trip from Tokyo to snow monkeys?

You can absolutely do a day trip from Tokyo to the Snow Monkey Park. It takes about 80 minutes to Nagano using the Shinkansen, then 45 minutes between Nagano station and the Snow Monkey bus stop. Finally, there’s a 35-minute walk to the park.

Initially, I planned a day trip to the Snow Monkey Park using my JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass. However, I decided later to stay in Nagano because it was already on my route to Nakatsugawa.

If you’re planning to get a JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass like me, you have to keep in mind that it only covers the trip to Nagano partially. You need a separate ticket from the leg between Sakudaira and Nagano stations (less than ¥3,000).

I just used a JR Tokyo Wide Area Pass for this trip because I had other day trips planned from Tokyo and I wanted to make the most of this pass. However, there’s a better pass for Nagano when you’re planning to visit the Japanese Alps.

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If you’re looking for the easiest trip, I’d definitely suggest the Hokuriku Arch Pass. It covers the whole trip, so you don’t have to deal with buying extra tickets along the way. With the Hokuriku Arch Pass, you can ride the Shinkansen from Ueno to Nagano without interruption.

If you’d rather not buy the pass, you can simply buy Shinkansen tickets ahead of time through Klook to secure your spot and save time.

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Can you see the snow monkeys without a tour?

I went to the Snow Monkey Park on my own, since I am familiar with Japan’s transit system. I found it pretty easy, but I get that first-time visitors might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the transfers and options. A lot of people go with a tour because it takes the stress out of it. Tours handle the tickets and transfers, so you can just focus on enjoying yourself.

If you’re not comfortable doing the day trip on your own, I suggest checking out a good tour service that handles everything for you. Here are a few recommendations for you:

However, a tour will cost you more than going on your own, but that’s the price to pay for peace of mind.

When going on your own, you might want to ask for a travel planner’s help. This way you have all the information needed to make your day trip stressfree, but without the costs of a guided tour.

How much time do you need at Snow Monkey Park?

How much time you spend at the park depends on the weather, what you want to see and how active the monkeys are. On average, people spend about 45 to 60 minutes there (excluding the time walking to the park).

When I went, I was lucky that the monkeys were already out and about, and I got some great shots of two of them enjoying a hot spring bath. But if the monkeys aren’t as active, you might have to wait a bit longer. I spent around 30 minutes just watching the monkeys, but my kid got hungry, so we had to head out for lunch.

Most people spend at least 30 minutes if they’re just passing through, while photography enthusiasts might stick around for an hour or more, waiting for the perfect shot. Also, when the weather is freezing, you might not have the courage to stick around for long.

Keep in mind that, while the park’s visit can be quite fast, you still have at least a 35-minute walk to the park and another 35 minutes on the way back. This is a significant amount of time, so make sure you allow enough time on your itinerary.

Do you need to buy Snow Monkey Park tickets in advance?

Tickets for the Snow Monkey Park can be purchased at the park’s entrance, so you don’t need to buy in advance. However, you will have to wait when there’s a long line. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance when possible to avoid unnecessary waiting times.

For my visit to the Snow Monkey Park, I bought the Snow Monkey Pass, which is only available before you head to the park. This way, I saved time and got the best deal, so I can focus on enjoying the experience instead of waiting in line.

Is the Snow Monkey Pass worth it?

The Snow Monkey Pass is definitely worth it because it bundles the entry to the park with transportation for 2 days. Even if you only use it for 1 day, it already saves you a few hundred yen just by going to the Snow Monkey Park.

The Snow Monkey Pass costs ¥4,000, and it’s valid for 2 days. Going to the park and back to Nagano plus the park’s entry costs ¥4,400 when buying tickets separately, so there’s no reason not to buy this pass.

You can buy the pass at the Nagano Dentetsu office next to Nagano Station (go through the Zenko-ji Exit), or you can buy it online. However, there’s no benefit in buying in advance since you still have to go to the Nagano Dentetsu office to exchange the voucher for the pass.

I bought mine using the machine right next to the Nagano Dentetsu office. The machine has English instructions, and you can pay with IC cards like Suica and Pasmo, or you can pay with cash. Yet, you can’t use ¥2,000 yen bills or credit card.

Where to stay when visiting Snow Monkey Park?

For my trip, I stayed at Hotel New Nagano Next, which was very convenient as I was heading to Nakatsugawa the next day. It is an affordable hotel located near Nagano Station. However, if you’re looking for a more immersive and relaxing experience, I recommend staying in accommodations near the Snow Monkey Park that offer onsen facilities. Here are a few options you might want to consider:

• Aburaya Tousen — A magnific ryokan with hot springs, great views over the mountains and excellent services.
• Shiroganeya Ryokan — A charming wooden ryokan located between Yudanaka Station and the Snow Monkey Park.
• Raki Onsenryokan — A traditional Japanese inn in the Yudanaka area, with relaxing rooms and exceptional food.

These places are close to Snow Monkey Park, and they’ll make your trip even better by giving you a feel for traditional Japanese hospitality.

Final Thoughts

My trip to the Snow Monkey Park was unforgettable. It’s a unique way to experience Japan’s natural beauty and wildlife. There were a few slippery spots, and you have to plan in advance, but seeing wild monkeys taking baths in natural hot springs in the snowy background is something I’ll never forget.

No matter if you just want to take a day trip from Tokyo or if you’re down for a longer trip with an overnight stay in Nagano, it’s worth planning ahead with the right passes and tickets. You could use a JR Hokuriku Arch Pass or go with a guided tour if you’d rather have more convenience. Still, don’t forget about the useful Snow Monkey Pass.

The Snow Monkey Park is an adventure filled with beautiful scenery and unforgettable moments that’ll stay with you forever. So, if you’re planning your trip to Japan this winter, I’d highly recommend adding this to your itinerary—you won’t regret it!