Nagano in Winter with a Local Guide: A Private Tour to the Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji and Togakushi Shrine

Explore Nagano Your Way with a Local Guide

Maybe you want to see the Snow Monkeys, visit temples and shrines, or stroll through a hot spring town. On this tour, you choose the plan that suits your interests and explore Nagano with just your own group.

Hotel pick-up is included, so you can start your day from your accommodation in the eligible area. The itinerary takes crowded times of day into account, and your local guide will take you to each destination.

The tour runs from November to May, and lasts 5 to 10 hours depending on the plan. Let us know your preferences for places to visit, pick-up locations and walking distance, and shape the day to suit you.

First, Choose a Plan Based on What You Want to See

This tour offers six plans, each built around the places you would like to visit. Would you like to focus on watching the Snow Monkeys, visit temples and shrines, or add a stroll through a hot spring town? Find the course that best suits your goals and the time you have.

Here are the features of each plan.

■ Snow Monkey Park A plan focused on watching Japanese macaques at Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park).

■ Togakushi Shrine For those who want to visit Togakushi, where mountain nature and faith come together. The shrines you visit and the walking range will be confirmed on the day of your tour.

■ Snow Monkeys + Hot Spring Town A plan that combines monkey watching with a stroll through a hot spring town. If you would like to bathe at a hot spring facility, please check availability and fees in advance. The plan name on the booking page is "Snow Monkey + Ghibli Hot Spring Town."

■ Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park + Zenko-ji Temple Combine watching wild Japanese macaques with worship and a walk at Zenko-ji Temple.

■ Togakushi Shrine + Zenko-ji Temple Visit two of Nagano's most representative temples and shrines, and enjoy the history and atmosphere of each.

■ Snow Monkey Park + Togakushi Shrine Visit the valley where Japanese macaques live and the mountain scenery of Togakushi in a single day.

Next, here are the highlights of each spot. The places you visit and their order will vary depending on the plan you choose and conditions on the day.

If You Choose the Snow Monkeys: A Walk Through the Forest to the Park

On plans that include Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, you walk along a forest path to the valley where the Japanese macaques live. Snow and ice are common in winter, so wear non-slip shoes and warm clothing.

At the park, you can observe the monkeys' expressions and how they interact with one another. They huddle together and groom each other. If you are lucky enough to see them in the hot spring, look out for the way they relax at the edge of the pool.

The monkeys live in the wild, so whether you see them visit the park or bathe depends on conditions on the day. Keep your distance and enjoy some quiet time watching them.

If You Choose Zenko-ji Temple: From the Approach to the Grounds

On plans that include Zenko-ji Temple, you take in the atmosphere of the temple approach as you walk toward the grounds. Admire the large wooden buildings and the character of the approach, and listen to your guide's stories as you visit a place that has welcomed worshippers for centuries.

Starting with the main hall, a National Treasure, the shape and details of the buildings are well worth a look. Stop and take your time, and you are sure to notice things you could not see from a distance.

If you would like to enter paid areas such as the inner sanctum of the main hall or take part in Okaidan-meguri (the dark passage walk beneath the hall), please check in advance what is covered by the itinerary and the tour fee.

If You Choose Togakushi Shrine: Mountain Nature and the Atmosphere of the Shrines

On plans that include Togakushi Shrine, you head to a sacred place wrapped in mountain nature. As you look at the shrine buildings and approach paths seen between the trees, your guide will introduce you to the history and culture of Togakushi.

Togakushi Shrine is made up of several shrines, and the scenery and walking distance change depending on which ones you visit. In winter, Okusha and Kuzuryusha are closed for part of the season, and the areas you can visit also vary with snow depth.

Enjoy the shrines and walking routes according to your chosen plan and the guidance on the day. Even between November and May, the depth of the snow and the look of the trees change with the season.

Time to Enjoy the Scenery, and Photos with Your Companions

Photography by your guide is another highlight of the day. Along with time to take your own pictures, you can have photos taken together with your family or friends.

When the tour ends, you are taken back to your accommodation. Looking through the photos, you can relive the monkeys' antics, the scenery of the temples and shrines, and even the conversations along the way. Be sure to check in advance how you will receive your photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

■ Does the tour visit all of the Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji and Togakushi Shrine? The places you visit depend on the plan you choose. There are plans that focus only on Snow Monkey Park, as well as plans that combine temples, shrines and a hot spring town. Please check before booking that the places you want to see are included.

■ Can I be picked up from any hotel? Pick-up is available within the eligible area. Select your starting point and plan, then confirm whether your accommodation is eligible, as well as the pick-up time and drop-off location.

■ How much walking is involved? At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, if you use the Kambayashi-side trail, it is about a 30-minute walk each way. In winter, snow and ice can make it take longer. At Togakushi Shrine, the walking distance varies depending on which shrines and routes you choose.

■ Will I definitely see the monkeys in the hot spring? Not necessarily. Because they are wild Japanese macaques, there are days when they do not come to the park, and times when they are not in the hot spring.

■ What is included in the price? The guide, hotel pick-up in the eligible area, and photography during the tour (with photos provided to you) are included. For admission fees, meals and hot spring fees, please check the details of the plan you book.

■ Can I book at the last minute? If your preferred date is within 3 days, please contact the operator via WhatsApp or email, as listed on the booking page, to check availability and how to book.

What to Check Before Booking

• Confirm your preferred destinations and the duration of each plan
• Check hotel pick-up eligibility, start time and guide language
• Prepare warm clothing and non-slip shoes
• Check admission fees, meal costs, hot spring fees and cancellation terms

Prices, destinations and plan details are subject to change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

Will you visit the valley where Japanese macaques live, walk the approach to Zenko-ji, or head to the shrines wrapped in the mountains of Togakushi? Being able to choose your course based on the scenery you want to see is the joy of this private tour.

Leave the driving to someone else, ask your guide whatever you are curious about, and spend a day exploring Nagano with your family or friends. Your photos will capture not only the scenery but also the time you spent together. For your next trip to Nagano, why not set out on a course that suits your own interests?

Check availability and plan details at Nagano Winter Private Tour with a Local Guide (November to May).