Nagano

1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

Badge of ExcellenceNagano, Japan
Zenkoji Temple and Snow Monkey Day Tour in Nagano

From $144.56

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 8 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

See two of the top attractions near Nagano on this full-day excursion. Explore the tranquil grounds of the 1400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan's most important temples. Enjoy a guided sake tasting at a nearby brewery and a hearty lunch at a local restaurant. Then, head to the Snow Monkey Park, located down a beautiful forest trail, to witness a group of local macaques known for their willingness to live in the snow and bathe in the local hot springs.
  • Explore Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples
  • Taste various sakes and learn more about the Japanese beverage
  • Learn about snow monkeys in their natural habitat at the Snow Monkey Park
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch designed to highlight the best of Nagano

What's Included

  • Transportation to and between all activities/attractions
  • Lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available, please try to let us know in advance)
  • Sake tasting
  • English-speaking guide
  • Snow Monkey Park entry fee
  • Hakuba shuttle service (winter only)
  • Shinkansen/bullet train tickets
  • Entry to paid attractions at Zenko-ji
  • Additional food, snacks and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

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What To Expect

Zenko-ji Temple

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Nishimon Yoshinoya

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

2 hours 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking including to and from the monkey park along a 1.6km (1 mile), unsealed forest trail. Please sure your footwear is appropriate and you are dressed accordingly for the season. The trail includes 2 different staircases, and therefore is not wheelchair accessible.
  • Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time. There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
  • This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus or a large bus depending on the season and size of the group.
  • From mid-December until early-April the trail and park are likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing. If required, rental boots are available close to the monkey park and crampons (metal spikes that attach underneath your shoes/boots) can also be purchased. From mid-December until early-March please wear suitable clothing for temperatures potentially below 0°C (and as low as -10°C).
  • During the winter it is common to see the monkeys enjoying the hot spring however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
  • There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park, arrive late or leave early. While this is unlikely, it is possible and is outside of our control.
  • *Winter only* Guests in Hakuba can join this tour using our shuttle service from / to Hakuba Tokyu Hotel in Wadano and Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. This service is only available from 2023/12/15 until 2024/03/31 and may not be available every day between those dates. We apologize that bookings from / to Hakuba cannot be accepted outside of these dates. When using this shuttle service please note that your guide will join and depart the tour at Nagano Station.
  • *Winter only* This tour is scheduled to conclude at Nagano Station by 17:30 (and by 18:45 for guests joining from Hakuba in winter). However, due to weather and road conditions in winter we cannot guarantee the end time. For guests booking shinkansen tickets to travel to Tokyo after the tour in winter, we ask that you do not book any service earlier than the 17:56 Kagayaki (reservation only) or our recommendation of the 18:23 Hakutaka. For guests booking onward tickets to other destinations we also recommend doing so for times of 18:00 or later.
  • This tour includes lunch at one of Nagano's outstanding restaurants. Please note that the restaurant may change their menu from time-to-time. Please let us know of any food allergies in advance so we can arrange accordingly.
  • This tour includes ‘sake’ tasting nearby at Nishinomon Yoshinoya. You must be a minimum of 20 years of age to consume alcohol in Japan.
  • Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
  • Train schedule from Tokyo station to Nagano station| Tokyo: 07:20 –> Nagano: 08:43 by Kagayaki (reservation required*)| Tokyo: 07:24 –> Nagano: 09:14 by Asama| Tokyo: 07:52 –> Nagano: 09:30 by Hakutaka
  • Train schedule from Nagano station to Tokyo station| Nagano: 17:55 –> Tokyo: 19:20 by Kagayaki (reservation required*)| Nagano: 18:22 –> Tokyo: 20:00 by Hakutaka
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 46 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
519 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 519 reviews
Fantastic and perfectly paced tour
lyndseybanthorpe, May 2024
We had a great experience with our tour guide Jens. He was very knowledgable about the sights we visited and delivered his knowledge in an interesting and easy to digest way. He was happy to entertain our (many) questions throughout too! The full day tour was very well paced with the perfect balance of guided and free time. We thoroughly enjoyed the same tasting and the restaurant for lunch was delicious hosted in a stunning venue.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Lyndsey, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We are delighted to know that you had a fantastic tour experience with Jens as your guide. We look forward to welcoming you back! Snow Monkey Resorts
Great Tour!
Jennifer_G, Apr 2024
Kirin is a great guide! The tour was informative and we had a wonderful time! Highly recommend it!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Jennifer, Thank you very much for your review! We are so happy to know that you enjoyed the tour with Kieron as your guide. Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We look forward to seeing you again in the future! Snow Monkey Resorts
Fantastic 1-day bullet Tran trip from Tokyo
valhill, Apr 2024
Great 1-day bullet train trip from Tokyo. Beautiful landscape, fresh air, 3km mountain hike, cute snow monkeys, sake, colorful temples! Loved it!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Valerie, Thank you so much for the 5-star feedback! It makes our day to know that you loved the tour. Our team works hard to ensure every customer has a memorable experience. We hope to see you again. Snow Monkey Resorts
The monkeys were...
Ryan_C, Apr 2024
The monkeys were EVERYWHERE! Unfortunately so were the humans, ha! However, it was still great. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The sake tasting was short and sweet. Which resulted in buying a delicious bottle!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Ryan, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the monkeys, sake tasting, and your friendly tour guide. We can't wait to welcome you back for more amazing moments! Snow Monkey Resorts
Fabulous Snow Monkeys
Julie_W, Apr 2024
What a wonderful experience this day proved to be. Our guide Sijung was very knowledgable and we were well-informed about the history and culture. The temple was amazing and we enjoyed it immensely. The snow monkeys were fabulous and although a long walk, it was manageable. Unfortunately, the monkeys did not go into the water but there was plenty of interaction between them and us. A great day all around.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Julie, Thank you for your wonderful review! We appreciate your feedback and are delighted to know that you enjoyed the entire day from the temple to the monkeys. The Snow Monkey Park is open all year, so we hope you can visit us again in the future! Snow Monkey Resorts
Amazing experience!
Analucia_g, Apr 2024
100% recommended! Our guide was Sijung, and he was excellent! The entire explanation was in English. The temple is amazing, the food at the restaurant where they took us was delicious and satisfying, the sake experience was very good, we learned a lot about sake, and the highlight of the tour was going to the snow monkey park, a wonderful place! Where you see the monkeys bathing and playing freely. It was unforgettable!😍
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Analucia, Thank you for your kind words and support. We are thrilled that you had an amazing tour with Sijung as your guide. I couldn't agree more, seeing the monkeys living their best lives is an unforgettable experience! We look forward to your next visit! Snow Monkey Resorts
Wonderful experience in Nagano!
Zhila_S, Apr 2024
We loved this tour so much! We were lucky to catch the cherry blossom season this year and so the temple and surroundings were extra beautiful. We only wished that we had a bit more time at the temple area. The sake tasting was fantastic and the lunch was amazing - beautiful restaurant and quite the meal! The monkey experience was like no other- much better than the arashiyama experience. The hike to the park is very manageable- most of it was leveled ground and the walk through the forest was beautiful. Would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Zhila, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! We're so glad to hear that you loved the tour and could even experience Japan during cherry blossom season. We can’t wait to have the opportunity to make you smile again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Snow monkeys galore!
Jane_D, Apr 2024
A wonderful day seeing some traditional sights. The lunch was very good but the highlight of the day was seeing the snow monkeys wandering everywhere.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Jane, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are very glad you enjoyed your tour experience, especially the snow monkeys. We hope to see you again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Unique experience
Kiana_A, Apr 2024
An amazing tour! Exploring the snow monkeys in Japan was truly special. Plus, we got an added treat with sake tasting at a local brewery (and plenty of samples!) and a visit to Zenkoji temple. The joining instructions were straightforward, and the included lunch was superb - a luxurious bento-style meal in a stunning restaurant. Kei and Jens were fantastic tour guides too.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Kiana, Thank you so much for your kind words! It's always such a pleasure to hear that our valued guests had an amazing experience. We are glad that you enjoyed the day and your fantastic tour guides too. We appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Snow Monkey Tour
Alison_B, Apr 2024
Sake tasting and the snow monkeys were the highlights Sufficient time allowed at both activities and it was not rushed
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Alison, Many thanks for the review and 5-star rating! We take pride in delivering the best tour experience possible, and we're glad we hit the mark for you. Please come see us again in Nagano! Snow Monkey Resorts
…an amazing adventure !!!
Barry_R, Apr 2024
This was such a wonderful adventure !… from Sake tasting and enlightening lecture, ,visiting the Temple , enjoying Chestnut ice cream and the special apples of Nagano, to the outrageously surprising and awesome monkeys!!!… Thank you, Joyce and Endo, our superlative guides…
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Barry, Thank you for your 5-star rating and for being an amazing part of our journey. We are thrilled to know your day was "an amazing adventure!" It's wonderful that you even tried the chestnut ice cream and local apples. We can't wait to welcome you back! Joyce
It was an overall great...
Albert_H, Mar 2024
It was an overall great experience for the family. The experience started at Nagano station, followed by the temple, sake tasting lunch, then the Monkey Park. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. It would’ve been nice if there was a bit more free time around the temple as there was a lot to see and a street with a bunch of interesting local stores. The trail to the monkey park can be muddy, but there is a shoe cleaning station next to the restrooms before you enter the monkey park.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Albert, Thank you for the amazing review! It makes our day to know that your family had a great experience with us overall. Zenko-ji Temple is very large, and one could easily spend hours exploring area. We're keen on providing adequate free time for our future guests so they can explore the surrounding shops to their hearts content. Thank you for your honest feedback. We hope you visit us again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Amazing day visiting the temple and snow monkeys
Alexandra_R, Mar 2024
Amazing day visiting the temple, Saki tasting and of course seeing the snow monkeys! Transport was smooth and would recommend to anyone wanting to visit the area.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Alexandra, We appreciate your business and value your feedback. We are pleased that you had an amazing day overall! Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to serving you again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Best Day Trip Ever
Bailey, Mar 2024
This tour was amazing! One of the best days we had on our trip. Tour guide Jens was so knowledgeable, helpful and kind. You can tell he loves what he does. The lunch was so yummy at a cute restaurant where all the workers were so nice. Highly recommend taking this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Bailey, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. Our tour guides love what they do, and we're glad it shows!! We are grateful for your kind words and happy that your tour experience was the "best day trip ever!" We hope to see you again. Snow Monkey Resorts
Excellent experience
Sandra_W, Mar 2024
My husband and friend loved this tour. The temple was a wonderful experience and lunch was excellent in a lovely Cafe. The walk to the monkeys was so scenic and so many great photos moments. Loved the monkeys in their environment and we were lucky to witness the feeding and also saw a Japanese serow !!! Keiron was a great guide and we would highly recommend this tour when in Japan.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Sandra, We appreciate your fantastic review and are delighted to hear that you and your husband loved the tour. How neat of an experience, the Japanese serow is not commonly seen at the park! Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to serving you again. Snow Monkey Resorts
An awesome experience
Jan_H, Mar 2024
We had a wonderful day with a great group of people. Our tour guide, Jens was knowledgeable, personable and ensured everyone was enjoying their day. We enjoyed the sake tasting, and the fabulous lunch but the snow monkeys made the day. They're very cute, entertaining and just fun to watch. They had no fear of us and often were right there on the boardwalk expecting us to walk around them (after taking a picture of course). A good time all around.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Jan, Thank you for choosing us and for the incredible 5-star rating! We are pleased that you had an awesome day accompanied by your tour guide Jens. I agree, the monkeys are so much fun to watch and especially in such close proximity! We hope to see you again. Snow Monkey Resorts
A Nagano must do
Amara_B, Mar 2024
Such a nice way experience the beauty of Nagano and learn about its history. Kieran was a great guide with a vast local knowledge of the area and the snow monkey park is such a unique thing to experience!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Amara, Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're so pleased you enjoyed the tour. We have passed on your kind words to Kieron and look forward to making you smile again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Monkey Tour
danika_k, Mar 2024
Was an amazing day on the tour ! Enzo was a fabulous tour guide, very friendly and answered any questions we may of had !! The day is well planned with the bus and all the inclusions! Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Danika, We really appreciate your time and dedication to review us! We love making our customer’s days, and we are glad Endo's service was excellent too. Thank you for choosing us! Snow Monkey Resorts
FABULOUS TOUR WITH FABULOUS GUIDE
PDenise_L, Mar 2024
Lynn was a SUPERB tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable, interesting and so friendly. We weren't rushed and by does she know here same! While the weather was cold with biting winds, Lynn made it somewhat easy to forget. I highly recommend this tour with Lynn.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Denise, We truly appreciate your kind words and support! As our whole team strives to deliver the best possible experiences for our guests, it makes our day to know that Lin did a fabulous job. We hope to see you again! Snow Monkey Resorts
Everything I hoped it would be
Karen_S, Mar 2024
Great trip. Kay was knowledgeable about the temple Zenko-ji and gave us enough time to wander at our leisure afterwards. The sake tasting and lunch were great and the snow monkeys were everything I had hoped for. We were free to walk at our own pace to the park and wander freely once we arrived. It was well planned and everything ran to time.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Dear Karen, We very much appreciate the kind feedback, thank you! We're thrilled that the tour was everything you had hoped for - accompanied by a great guide. We hope to serve you again in the future. Snow Monkey Resorts
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