Jigokudani Snow Monkey Tour

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Tour: A Winter Adventure with a Local Insider

See monkeys soaking in hot springs surrounded by pristine snow.

Overview

Hidden in the snowy mountains of Nagano, Jigokudani Yaen-koen is home to hundreds of Japanese macaques, affectionately known as "snow monkeys", who spend their winter days soaking in the steaming mountain hot springs. In 1970, their unforgettable image graced the cover of Life magazine, introducing the world to their unique behaviour and turning this remote valley into one of Japan's most iconic wildlife encounters.

The monkeys bathe only in the cold season, retreating to the warmth of the natural hot springs to survive Nagano's harsh winters. When the 1998 Winter Olympic Games were held nearby, athletes, journalists, and travellers from around the world flocked to witness them firsthand, cementing the park's reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime destination.

Soaking is only one part of their daily life. Throughout your visit you will also see the monkeys lazing on warm rocks, grooming one another, and frolicking with their young along the surrounding forest paths, a rare window into the rhythms of a wild primate community in its natural mountain habitat.

Details

❖ Meet at Yudanaka Station and travel by bus and walking to Jigokudani Yaen-koen

12:20 - 13:25

Meet your English-speaking guide at the ticket gate of Nagano-Dentetsu Yudanaka Station. From here, a scenic local bus and a short walk through the forest will carry you up to the entrance of Jigokudani Yaen-koen, the famous snow monkey park nestled deep in the Yokoyu River Valley.

❖ Hike from the bus stop through the Yumichi walking trail

approx. 25 min

Enjoy the fresh mountain air as you undertake a relaxing hike through the cedar forest along the Yumichi Trail, a scenic 1.6-kilometre path that leads you toward the snow monkeys. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the natural landscape and the geothermal activity that defines this valley.

❖ Jigokudani Yaen-koen

13:25 - 14:05 (40 min)

Located in the Yokoyu River Valley at an altitude of 850 metres, Jigokudani Yaen-koen is known as "Hell Valley" due to the steep cliffs and the steam that constantly rises from its volcanic hot springs. Buried in snow for nearly a third of the year, this dramatic landscape becomes a paradise for the macaques of Nagano, who bathe in the thermal pools to warm themselves while their young play and groom on the surrounding rocks.

❖ Break time at Enza Cafe

14:30 - 14:40 (10 min)

If you are feeling a bit peckish while waiting for the bus back to Yudanaka Station, we recommend grabbing a coffee or a slice of apple pie to take away at Enza Cafe, a cosy stop tucked into the snowy surroundings.

❖ Foot Spa at Yudanaka Station

15:10 - 15:25 (15 min)

After all that walking, treat your weary feet to a relaxing outdoor foot spa just beside Yudanaka Station. The naturally warm mineral waters will soothe and restore you, a fitting close to a day spent immersed in the geothermal wonders of Nagano.

OPTIONS

Notes

Please wear shoes that are easy to walk in and avoid heavy baggage, as the route follows mountain paths.
Bring a bottle of water and a small snack, just in case.
Ticket machines at Yudanaka Station do not accept credit cards.
Passengers coming from Nagano Station can purchase the SNOW MONKEY PASS at Nagano Station. It bundles the round-trip train and bus fare with the Jigokudani Yaen-koen entrance fee, and is the most cost-effective way to reach the meeting point.
Time schedule of the Nagano-Dentetsu Train *Limited Express ‘SNOW MONKEY’ only (no transfer required) As of May, 2026

<Nagano sta. → Yudanaka sta.>
11:33 → 12:18

<Yudanaka sta. → Nagano sta.>
15:34 → 16:19
15:59 → 17:05（Transfer at Shinshu Nakano station）
16:45 → 17:34