1-Day Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Winter Illumination Tour

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Illumination Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour captures the magic of Nagano of in winter. Including an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this is one tour rich in the festive spirit of winter!

First stop is the Jigokudani Monkey Park - home to Nagano's famous hot spring-loving monkeys! Your guide will lead you to and from the park and introduce you to everything that makes the monkeys so unique, while also allowing you plenty of time to enjoy by yourself.

Once done, you head back to Nagano City where an early dinner awaits at Monzen Terrace Enya - one of the city's most popular restaurants. Warmed and filled, you then head into Zenko-ji - one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan - where your guide will explain the history and legends of the temple as it is bathed in the light of its Winter Illumination Festival.

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
There will be a significant amount of walking required (1.6 km one way) to get to and from the Snow Monkey Park, along an unsealed forest trail so please wear appropriate shoes / boots.
This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train 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.
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.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, 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 or that the monkeys leave the park early. While this is unlikely to happen, it is possible and is outside of our control.
During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, 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.
This tour includes dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya. The restaurant will update their menu each year meaning that the exact meal will vary however include the same number and types of dishes. We will keep this information and images up-to-date as the restaurant confirms their menu with us.
Illumination and installations at the festival change each year and may not be the same as those shown in images above.
Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant meal is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers