Jigokudani Snow Monkey and Togakushi Shrine Private Tour
Description
A full-day trip to Nagano’s snow monkeys and Togakushi Shrine. With a private car and guide, avoid crowds and enjoy local insights. Photos are captured and delivered after the tour. ❑ A Special Experience Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where in winter monkeys soak in hot springs and in summer play in forests and rivers. Then continue to Togakushi, a spiritual retreat with cedar-lined paths and centuries-old shrines. You’ll avoid crowds, discover local spots, and have moments photographed as lasting gifts. ❑ Why Private? Public transport requires hours and many transfers, while dining options are limited. With a private car and guide, travel is smooth and flexible. The day adapts to your pace, from exploring shrine trails to enjoying a relaxed lunch. ❑ A Personalized Journey Explore with an English-speaking guide, free from crowds or fixed schedules. Local insights enrich the journey, and each special moment is captured for you to keep.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, located in the mountains of Nagano, is famous for its wild Japanese macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys. These monkeys are known for their unique behavior of soaking in natural hot springs during the cold winter months, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to observe wildlife up close in their natural habitat. Experience: Visitors can enjoy a scenic hike through the forest to reach the park and witness the snow monkeys relaxing in the hot springs. It's a chance to see these animals up close and observe their interactions in a stunning natural setting. *At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, visitors enjoy a 30-40-minute scenic walk through the forest to reach the viewing area. *An admission fee is required: Adults: 800 yen, Children: 400 yen. (Children under 6 years old are free of charge.)
Togakushi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the mountains northwest of Nagano City. It is famous for its sacred cedar tree-lined path and consists of three main shrine areas: the Lower Shrine (Hokosha), the Middle Shrine (Chusha), and the Upper Shrine (Okusha), each offering different experiences. The area is also known for its connection to ninja history and traditional soba noodles. Experience: Visitors can walk through the ancient cedar avenue leading to the Upper Shrine, offering a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. The shrine is also a great place to learn about Japanese mythology and Shinto practices, and the surrounding area is perfect for hiking. *At Togakushi Shrine, visitors can enjoy a 30-40 minute walk through a beautiful cedar-lined path to reach the Upper Shrine.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please provide your preferred pickup location at the time of booking or no later than the day before the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(14)
We had a great private tour with Takaeto, who spoke very good English and made communication easy throughout the day. Despite visiting out of season, we still saw plenty of snow monkeys and appreciated having as much time as we wanted at the park. Togakushi Shrine was peaceful and beautiful, with the walk through the cedar forest being a highlight. We also enjoyed a fantastic soba restaurant popular with locals, which made the experience feel even more authentic. The tour finished with a visit to scenic Kagami-ike Pond, which is more like a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning scenery. To top it off, Takaeto kindly dropped us off near the station as requested, which was especially helpful with our suitcases. Highly recommended!
Honestly, this is raved about and is suggested that it a must see experience. I wouldn't agree with that. It was interesting and we saw a lot of monkeys, however, only 2 went in the water and that was only because there were seeds puts into the pool. I would imagine that it is much better in the winter months with snow around, but in springtime it was a bit of a waste of a day. The only reason the monkeys are coming down from the hill from April onwards is because they are being fed and their appearance is good for tourism.
The tour was very fun, I would highly recommend it (especially if you’re an animal lover)! The snow monkeys were so cute. My guide Shuhei made the tour even more fun with his extensive knowledge and stories.
Great guide, Shuhei was knowledgeable and friendly. He was a very safe driver too on the snowy roads. Fantastic trip altogether. The monkeys were worth the drive.
We had been debating between going ourselves, doing a group tour or a private tour and we were so glad for what we did. Dai was awesome, he accommodated our pace, provided all kinds of interesting information and context, and even took some great pictures of us! We booked pretty last minute and we were really grateful they were able to accommodate us. Dai spoke excellent English and even took us on a farmers market stop on the way back!
Would highly recommend this tour. Our guide Dai helped us have a wonderful day getting to the snow monkey park early in time for the feeding and before the crowds. He then took us to a fabulous traditional soba noodle restaurant near the shrine for lunch, and then a wonderful visit to the upper shrine gates via a magical walk through the snow. We loved it and would do again. Thanks Dai!!
Fantastic experience seeing the snow monkeys and togakushi shrine with a very knowledgeable and friendly guide! Highly recommend for people who only have a day in Nagano
Whilst it was a cold and snowy winter's day, as crowds were minimal and our guide was excellent, we had a fantastic experience.
Wonderful tour with a great balance of nature and culture. Seeing the snow monkeys in their natural environment was a truly unique experience, and the visit Togakushi Shrine was peaceful and stunning. Our guide Chris was excellent—knowledgeable, friendly, and kept everything running smoothly while sharing great insights along the way. Chris shared great insights into the culture, history, and local traditions, which made the experience even more meaningful. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Nagano—it’s the perfect combination of nature, culture, and unforgettable memories.
So glad we booked this private tour—such a fun day with our amazing guide Taketo (Take)! From seeing tons of snow monkeys to a stunning snow-covered walk beneath Togakushi’s towering cedar trees, such a special day. For lunch, we had authentic Nagano buckwheat soba at a cozy, OG family-owned spot. Take also captured beautiful photos along the way—which made for perfect souvenirs. This tour was worth it, highly recommend!
