Nagano Snow Monkey Park & Shiga Kogen Maruike Park Day Tour

Fun times in Nagano

It's time to relax and have fun in Nagano! Your adventure kicks off with convenient pickups from Hotel Kokusai 21, Nagano Station, Yudanaka Station, Shibu Onsen, or Kanbayashi Onsen. Your expert guide will accompany you throughout, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. Your first destination is Shiga Kogen Maruike, Japan's largest and highest ski resort. Dive into the snowy excitement with activities like snowscoots, snowdrives, and sleds, perfect for both kids and adults. Feel the rush as you race down the slopes or enjoy a scenic ride on the ski lift for panoramic views of the snow-covered mountains. At lunchtime, savor a delicious spread including katsu curry, katsudon, hamburger steak, sansai soba, and a variety of udon dishes, all enjoyed with a view of the sparkling winter landscape.

The hot spring monkeys

Next, head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Trek along a picturesque forest trail lined with snow-covered trees, leading you to the park where the real fun begins. Witness the famous macaques soaking in the natural hot springs – their playful antics and relaxed poses make for a delightful and unique sight. Watch as these adorable monkeys groom each other and splash around in the warm water, and capture unforgettable photos of their frolics. As you head back to Nagano Station and pass the snow-covered landscape, you can reflect on the unforgettable memories and fun moments you had on this action-packed trip.

Itinerary

• 8:45 am: The tour begins at Nagano Station where your guide will be waiting for you in front of the Information Board, directly opposite the Shinkansen tickets gates. Please note, for guests staying at Hotel Kokusai 21, you can also be picked up there at 8:20 am. From Nagano, the tour heads toward Shiga Kogen with additional pickup possible at Yudanaka Station at 9:30 am, Shibu Onsen at 9:35 am, and Kanbayashi Onsen at 9:40 am

• 10:30 am: Arrive at Maruike Family Ski Park and begin snow fun activities. While at Maruike, you will also have time to enjoy lunch at its restaurant (included in the tour)

• 12:45 pm: Board the bus and depart Shiga Kogen for the monkey park

• 1:20 pm: Arrive at Kanbayashi Onsen, and walk up to the trail entrance and along the forest trail into the park (1.6km/1 mile in both directions)

• 2:10 pm: Arrive at the park (depending on your speed along the trail) and enjoy observing the monkeys in their winter habitat

• 3:10 pm: Your guide will lead the tour out of the park and back out along the trail

• 4:00 pm: Board the bus and begin the journey back to Nagano

• 5:30-6:00 pm*: The tour concludes at Nagano Station between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm with drop-offs in Kanbayashi, Shibu, Yudanaka and Kokusai along the way (if required)

• *Please note, due to weather and road conditions in winter, the exact end time isn't guaranteed. The tour should be back at Nagano Station by 6:00 pm latest.

Nagano Snow Monkey Park & Shiga Kogen Maruike Park Day Tour

Snowscapes unfurl as you embark on a day tour to Shiga Kogen Maruike Park and Snow Monkey Park, an adventure crafted for explorers of winter wonderlands, devotees of serene landscapes, and seekers of captivating wildlife encounters. Glide through the powdery snow on snowscoots or experience the thrill of tubing down gentle slopes, surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas that stretch to the horizon. With each activity providing a unique perspective on the natural beauty of Nagano, this tour weaves joyous play into serene exploration, offering memorable encounters to forge connections with nature while understanding that winter's embrace can be both exhilarating and tranquil.

Visit Shiga Kogen Maruike Park

Access Shiga Kogen Maruike Park included in the tour package enabling a comprehensive experience of snow-covered slopes, serene forests, and gentle play areas. Glide through a snowy forest of Japanese beech and cedar trees with stunning mountain vistas leading to Snow Monkey Park, where the park's expansive trails wind through pristine landscapes, inviting you to explore every nook and cranny of its winter wonderland charm. The park offers tubing lanes that descend gracefully into the valley below, providing an adrenaline rush amidst the serene backdrop of towering peaks and crisp air.

Marvel at Snow Monkey Park

Experience Snow Monkey Park representing the tour's centerpiece where playful snow monkeys bask in the warmth of natural hot springs, creating a heartwarming scene that captures the essence of winter bliss. The park is renowned for its unique feature as the only place in the world where you can watch wild Japanese macaques soak peacefully in steaming onsen pools, their furry bodies relaxing amid the serene setting of Nagano's snow-covered mountains.

Tour Highlights

• Glide through powdery slopes on snowscoots spectacularly
• Soak in breathtaking mountain views comprehensively
• Watch playful snow monkeys soak blissfully in hot springs uniquely
• Explore serene winter forests filled with beech and cedar trees authentically
• Enjoy tubing runs down gentle slopes impressively included
• Discover natural wildlife habitats optional but enchanting

Glide into a world of snowy serenity for explorers of winter wonderlands, wanderlust seekers of serene landscapes, and adventurers of captivating wildlife encounters. This enchanting journey through Nagano's snowscapes weaves tranquility and exhilaration, offering memorable moments that feel like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale, where every turn reveals a new marvel to cherish.