SNOW MONKEY TOUR
Daily departures from Hakuba
Snow Monkey Hot springs & Zenkoji Temple Tour
with traditional Japanese lunch at the historic town of Obuse
EVERY Day - December 21st 2026 to February 28th 2027 (except Jan 1st)
EVERY Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - in March
Description
This full-day tour departs from Hakuba into the countryside of Nagano Prefecture, visiting three landmark destinations:
Snow Monkey Park
The world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to over 200 wild Japanese macaques that spend their days soaking in the hot springs to keep warm through the harsh winter. Opened in 1964, it is considered the only place in the world where you can see wild monkeys bathing in hot springs. At the park you'll see monkeys bathing, playing, eating, and huddling for warmth within their highly organised social structures and natural habitat.
Historic Town of Obuse
A charming historic town renowned for its art heritage and premium produce — particularly chestnuts, shimeji mushrooms, and sake. Obuse is home to the Hokusai Museum, celebrating the woodblock print artist famous for The Great Wave, and the 270-year-old Masuichi Sake Brewery. Browse local shops for chestnut sweets, Japanese paper crafts, and gourmet produce.
Zenkoji Temple
One of Japan's most revered Buddhist temples, with nearly 1,400 years of history. Zenkoji was built to house the very first Buddhist image ever brought to Japan, introduced in the 6th century. The temple was also the first in Japan to welcome women to worship, making it a historically important pilgrimage site. It is now surrounded by 29 sub-temples of different Buddhist sects. The surrounding streets are lined with lantern-lit shops and souvenir stalls.
Pricing
Adult (12+) ¥18,500 Includes choice of meal
Child (3-11 yrs) ¥12,500 Set meal
Infant (0–2 yrs) Free No seat or meal
Season
December - March Winter season
Bookings open around June
What’s Included
Return transport from Hakuba
Jigokudani Monkey Park entrance fee
Traditional Japanese set lunch in Obuse
English-speaking guide throughout
Not Included
Zenkoji underground tunnel (optional activity)
Hokusai Museum entry (optional activity)
What to bring
Waterproof walking boots (the trail can be icy)
Warm clothing, gloves and a beanie
Drink bottle
Optional: snacks
Accessibility
This tour is not recommended for those with impaired physical mobility
This tour is not stroller or wheelchair accessible
Itinerary
Hakuba Pickup
- From selected pickup points
Snow Monkey Park
- Spend approx. 2 hours
- Includes 30–40 min walk each way through cedar forest
- Please ensure you wear closed-toe, waterproof footwear as the path can be icy
- Watch monkeys bathe, play and huddle in the hot springs
- Photography welcome (no flash or selfie sticks)
- Do not feed, touch or stare the monkeys directly in the eye
Lunch in Obuse
- Spend approx. 1.5 hours
- Stop for lunch — a traditional Japanese set lunch at a local restaurant
- Free time to explore the town, galleries and souvenir shops
- Optional: Entry to the Hokusai Museum (own cost)
- This museum is dedicated to the famous artist Hokusai Katsushika, known for 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' and other masterpiece woodblock prints and paintings
Zenkoji Temple
- Spend approx. 1.5 hours
- Guided tour of the entire temple complex, including history and cultural significance
- Traditional shops, lantern-lit streets and souvenir stalls to explore
- Optional: Underground tunnel experience (own cost)
- The temple has a pitch-black underground tunnel which is said to hold the key to salvation. Search for it in the dark — and salvation is yours
Return to Hakuba
- Drop-off points are the same as the pick-up points
- Our tour guide may be able to assist with concierge or taxi pickup requests to your accommodation, subject to availability
5 Pick-up Points
Accommodation finder
Please click here to search for your accommodation to find the nearest bus stop to you.
Summary table
| Pick up & Drop off location |
Meeting place Show on map ↓ | 1ST BUS | 2ND BUS | 3RD BUS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting | Departure | Meeting | Departure | Meeting | Departure | ||
| Tsugaike (Mon / Wed / Fri) |
Opposite Tsugaike Kogen Bus Stop | 7:20 | 7:30 | - | - | - | - |
| Wadano | In front of the Rhythm Hakuba | 7:45 | 8:00 | 8:15 | 8:30 | 8:45 | 9:00 |
| Happo | Inside of the Bus Terminal | 7:50 | 8:05 | 8:20 | 8:35 | 8:50 | 9:05 |
| Echoland | In front of the Echoland Spicy Rentals | 7:55 | 8:10 | 8:25 | 8:40 | 8:55 | 9:10 |
| Goryu | Goryu Bus Stop (Route 148) | 8:10 | 8:20 | 8:40 | 8:50 | 9:10 | 9:20 |
*Multiple buses may operate during busy periods.
If the first bus is fully booked, a second bus may depart 30 minutes later from all stops (except Tsugaike).
Stop Details
Lunch
The restaurant
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the quaint, historic town of Obuse, approximately 4 hours after the start of the tour. We recommend having breakfast before departure, and you are welcome to bring snacks on the bus (please dispose of any rubbish appropriately).
Kyoumitei in Obuse
Adult Meal Options
Adult meals include hot pot (choice of beef, fish, or vegetarian), chestnut rice, sliced apple, pickled vegetables, salad, and soba tea. Meals are selected at the time of booking, but you may change your choice during sign-in on the morning of the tour.
Childrens Meal
Children (3–11 yrs) receive a set children’s meal; a choice of main dish is not available. Dessert and locally squeezed apple juice are also included.
Infants (0–2 yrs) may join the tour free of charge; however, meals are not provided. Please prepare accordingly.
Dietary restrictions & allergies
Please advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies at the time of booking. We will pass your requirements on to the restaurant and do our best to accommodate them.
Dashi is a stock commonly used in Japanese cuisine, made from fish, and is included in the adult hot pot meal. Vegetarians, please let us know if you would prefer a kombu (kelp) replacement for your hot pot.
Vegan | Gluten-free | Nut allergy | Shellfish allergy | Dairy-free | Other
FAQ
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The tour is a full-day tour, lasting about 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off.
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Yes, the bus has storage under the coach. You will travel with the same bus for the entire day, so you can leave your luggage on the bus while you visit the monkeys, have lunch, etc. Please bring your luggage to the pick-up point.
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Yes, our restaurant is able to cater to all types of allergies and dietary requirements, including gluten-free and vegan options. Please specify these at the time of booking.
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Wadano, Happo & Echoland bus stops will have Ski Japan Holidays staff members waiting at the bus stop to check you in and guide you to the correct bus. They will be wearing black jackets with the “Ski Japan Holidays” logo and will have a list of your details, so they will also be looking for you.
Tsugaike and Goryu bus stops will not have staff members waiting, so please follow the map pin closely and look out for Snow Monkey Tour flagpoles. The bus driver will guide you directly. -
Unfortunately, we do not offer private pick-ups/drop-offs from individual accommodations. The bus is coordinated to stop only at the designated pick-up points.
Your accommodation may have a concierge team that can assist with travel between your accommodation and the pick-up points, so please reach out to them if you require assistance.
On the return journey, our tour guide will be happy to assist with coordinating this or arranging a taxi.
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No, humans do not enter the hot springs. This tour is to observe the macaques in their natural habitat. There is no onsen bathing on this tour, but it’s a wonderful idea to wind down afterwards!
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There are many great souvenirs available on this tour that are unique to Nagano Prefecture and the rural Japanese countryside. Our favourites include:
Chestnuts in Obuse
7-Spice from Zenkoji temple
Hokusai museum prints
You will have multiple opportunities to explore local shops, especially in Obuse.
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Yes, infants aged 0–2 years old are free of charge on the tour and are required to share a seat with an accompanying adult. No meals or baby seats are provided.
Cancellation Policy
We have a flexible cancellation and rescheduling policy, so you don’t need to worry about the weather:
100% refund if cancelled more than 24 hours before the tour
50% refund if cancelled within 24 hours of the tour
No refund if cancelled on the day of the tour or in case of no-shows
Please contact our team at tours@japanspecialists.com to cancel or reschedule.
Ski Japan Holidays reserves the right to change or cancel the tour. In the event of cancellation, all customers will be contacted to arrange a reschedule or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is required for the tour to operate.
Please note: If you have booked via a third-party travel agency, the cancellation policy is subject to their terms and conditions, which we cannot override.