On this day trip to Nagano, we’ll see the famous Japanese snow monkeys at Jigokudani Park bathing in the hot springs of Hell Valley. We’ll also enjoy lunch at Shinshu Fruitsland.
Day Trip Details
We’ll begin this day trip after meeting in front of the LOVE sculpture at 6-Chome-5-1. Once everyone is ready, we’ll board the vehicle that’ll take us to Nagano in just 3 hours. Little by little, Tokyo’s skyline will give way to mountain scenery, traditional villages, and snow-covered pine trees. A true picture of rural Japan!
Our first stop will be Shinshu Fruitsland, where a typical beef sukiyaki lunch made with seasonal ingredients will be waiting for us. This dish, slow-cooked in a sweet and salty broth, is perfect for warming up. With your meal, you’ll be served water and hojicha, a roasted green tea. Before continuing, you’ll have some free time to stroll through the market.
We’ll then get back on the road and head to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. This is a natural sanctuary in what’s known as Hell Valley, home to the nihonzaru, or Japanese macaques. When we arrive, we’ll walk for about 30 minutes along a snowy forest path until we reach the area where steam from the hot springs rises between the mountains.
There, the monkeys enjoy their unique ritual in the onsen (hot springs) while the snow gently falls on their heads. Did you know that these macaques are the only primates, apart from humans, that bathe in hot springs for pleasure? Watching them so relaxed, with their eyes half closed and steam surrounding their bodies, is a truly hypnotic experience.
As evening falls, we’ll visit Kamakura no Sato, a village that comes to life between January and February when its small snow huts are lit by candles, creating a dreamlike winter scene.
Finally, we’ll begin the return journey to the meeting point in Tokyo, where we’ll say goodbye after between 12 and 13 hours of touring.
Itinerary Changes
We’ll visit Kamakura no Sato from January 22 to February 28, 2027. For the rest of the year, we’ll return to Tokyo 1 hour earlier instead.
Please Note
- We’ll walk for about 30 minutes from the car park in Jigokudani to the area where the snow monkeys are found.
- The monkeys are territorial and unpredictable animals, so we recommend not getting too close to them or making direct eye contact. It’s also possible that they may not be in the hot springs when we arrive.
- The lunch menu may vary depending on ingredient availability.
