A day trip to Nagano Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Temple | Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nakamise Shopping Street Food | Departure from Tokyo/Shinjuku
- Departing from both Tokyo and Shinjuku, easily reach classic Nagano attractions, saving you the hassle of complicated transfers.
- Visit Zenko-ji Temple, a national treasure of Japan, and experience its long history and solemn, sacred atmosphere.
- Stroll along the Zenkoji Nakamise Shopping Street, enjoy lunch at your own expense, and sample local Shinshu cuisine and snacks.
- Step into Jigokudani Monkey Park to observe Japanese macaques up close and experience the unique wildlife ecology (Jigokudani Monkey Park admission included).
- A winter visit offers the chance to admire monkeys bathing in hot springs amidst a snowy landscape, experiencing one of Japan's most iconic and dreamlike winter scenes.
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Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Depart from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station for a wonderful day trip to Nagano that combines history, culture, local cuisine, and natural ecology.
First, visit the historic Zenkoji Temple, a representative ancient temple in Nagano with a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can stroll through the temple grounds, admire the solemn traditional architecture and tranquil atmosphere, and experience the unique historical charm of Zenkoji Temple.
Afterwards, enjoy a free lunch at the Zenkoji Nakamise Shopping Street. This street is lined with various restaurants, dessert shops, and souvenir shops, where you can freely sample local Shinshu cuisine, explore the charming Japanese-style shopping street, and enjoy a leisurely lunch and stroll.
Next, we'll head to the popular Jigokudani Monkey Park, immersing ourselves in the natural mountain environment and observing the daily lives of Japanese macaques up close. Especially in winter, the adorable sight of macaques soaking in hot springs is one of the most representative local features, adding an unforgettable natural experience to your trip.
This trip combines Nagano's history and culture, local cuisine, and natural ecology, allowing travelers to explore Nagano's rich charm in a single day.
You can board the train at either Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station, so you don't need to plan complicated transportation yourself and can easily enjoy a fulfilling and enriching day trip in Nagano.
The most captivating sight at Jigokudani Monkey Park is the magical scene of snow monkeys soaking in hot springs during winter. These Japanese snow monkeys don't stay in the hot springs all the time; they only come down from the forests to warm themselves in the warm waters during the cold winter months. When the valley is blanketed in snow, groups of wild macaques leisurely immerse themselves in the steaming hot springs. The snow-covered mountains and warm waters create a picturesque scene, a truly unique Japanese winter landscape. Observing the snow monkeys bathing and playing naturally up close is the most unique and unforgettable experience at Jigokudani Monkey Park.
Zenko-ji Temple, located in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's most representative ancient temples, boasting a history of over 1400 years. Its majestic gate and main hall exude a rich historical atmosphere, attracting numerous devotees and tourists every year. Zenko-ji is renowned as a "once-in-a-lifetime visit," welcoming worshippers from all sects and backgrounds. Strolling along the ancient approach, admiring the traditional temple architecture, and experiencing the tranquil and solemn atmosphere, one can immerse themselves in Japan's profound Buddhist culture and the allure of faith—a classic attraction not to be missed during a trip to Nagano.
Nakamise Shopping Street, located in front of the Zenkoji Temple gate, is an important approach to the temple. Along the way, numerous traditional shops, specialty restaurants, confectionery shops, and souvenir shops create a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of old Japanese streets. Strolling along the cobblestone streets, you can sample Shinshu's local delicacies, purchase local souvenirs, and soak in the relaxed and lively pilgrimage atmosphere. Whether you're visiting Zenkoji Temple before or after your pilgrimage, or simply enjoying street food and shopping, Nakamise Shopping Street is an unmissable stop on any trip to Nagano.
Purchase Notice
[Tourism Conditions]
Departure and Destination: Tokyo & Nagano
Trip duration: Same-day round trip
Transportation: Bus
Bus company name: Sanshin Trading Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation: None
Minimum group size: 7
[Travel Planning/Implementation]
Operating Company Name: Sanshin Trading Co., Ltd.
Address: 1-1-1 Jinmeiminami, Adachi-ku, Tokyo
License Number: Tokyo Governor's Registered Travel Agent No. 2, 7084
Travel Association Name: Japan Travel Association (Regular Member)
Reminders
A minimum of 7 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 20:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: Epilepsy, Pregnant women, Asthma, Acrophobia, Heart disease, High blood pressure
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please ensure that the phone number/APP contact information you provided is reachable during your trip to Japan. If you are unable to join the tour due to being unreachable, late, or other reasons, no refunds or compensation will be provided.
Vehicle type: Vehicles will be arranged according to the number of participants. For small groups, a driver will also serve as the accompanying staff to provide full-time tour services; no additional tour leader or guide will be provided. Some drivers/guides may use translation software to communicate with passengers; please be aware of this before booking. This product is a shared service, meaning you will be traveling with other passengers. Participants must adhere to the designated stop times at each attraction and cooperate with the tour leader or driver/guide's arrangements. For small groups of 7–14 people, the driver will also act as the guide; the driver will not disembark to accompany the group. For bus tours of 15–49 people, a private guide will be provided; actual arrangements will be adjusted based on the number of participants on the day of the tour.
This tour includes a complimentary ticket to Jigokudani Monkey Park, the value of which is not included in the tour price. If the visit is cancelled due to weather, traffic control, temporary closure of the park, government announcements, force majeure, or adjustments to the itinerary by the travel agency, or if the visit is voluntarily cancelled by the traveler, it will be considered a voluntary waiver of the complimentary item, and no refunds, cash rebates, or other compensation will be provided. We apologize for any inconvenience.
In the event of force majeure (including natural disasters, war, strikes, government bans, mechanical failures, traffic accidents, and other circumstances beyond the company's control) leading to trip cancellation before departure, the company will provide a full refund of the tour fee before departure. If the trip is interrupted on the departure day or during the trip due to the above reasons, the remaining tour fee will be refunded after deducting actual expenses incurred. No additional compensation claims will be accepted in such cases; any other losses or additional expenses incurred will be borne by the traveler. Return travel time may be delayed due to objective factors such as road conditions and weather on the day of the trip, especially during holidays when traffic congestion is more likely. The company will flexibly adjust the itinerary according to the actual situation, and the return time may be later than expected. If you need to take a night flight or connect to subsequent trips on the day of the trip, it is recommended to allow sufficient time to avoid affecting subsequent arrangements. No refunds or compensation will be provided for itinerary delays. Please be aware that passengers who need to catch a flight should carefully assess the situation before registering or make appropriate arrangements for subsequent trips.
The bus operates on a one-person-one-seat system to ensure the comfort and safety of every passenger. Seats cannot be reserved in advance. Depending on the actual bookings on the day, passengers of different genders may be seated next to each other; your understanding is appreciated. According to local Japanese regulations, children aged 3 and above also require a seat; therefore, children aged 3 and above will be charged the same fee as adults. If you are traveling with children, please inform customer service when placing your order. If you do not inform customer service in advance and have not paid the relevant fees, and the bus becomes overloaded due to children on the day of the tour, the tour guide has the right to refuse boarding to the child and accompanying parent in order to comply with local regulations and ensure the safety of all passengers. In this case, our company will not be held liable, and the fees already paid will not be refunded. Any additional losses incurred will be borne by the traveler. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Children and minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with full civil capacity. Travelers aged 70 and above are advised to be accompanied by family or friends and must sign a waiver on the day of departure. To ensure your safety and the rights of other group members, if you have a chronic illness, mobility impairment, or other special health conditions, please inform us truthfully at the time of registration so that we can make necessary arrangements and assistance in advance. Any expenses incurred due to special assistance required for the traveler's personal reasons must be borne by the traveler.
If you are carrying multiple pieces or large luggage, please inform us in advance. Each passenger is limited to one suitcase.
For the return trip, you can choose to disembark at Shinjuku or Tokyo. If passengers choose to disembark at Shinjuku, the bus will stop at the Shinjuku stop; otherwise, the bus will skip Shinjuku and proceed directly to the Tokyo Station stop. Return times are for reference only; actual arrival times may be earlier due to smooth travel and good road conditions, or later due to traffic conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. If you are taking a night flight or connecting to other travel plans on the same day, it is recommended to allow ample time to avoid disrupting your itinerary.
It takes 20-30 minutes to walk from the parking lot to Jigokudani Monkey Park one way, which is not suitable for the elderly, pregnant women and children. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes. Jigokudani Monkey Park has steps and ramps, so please watch your step.
Due to the possibility of snowfall, heavy snow, icy roads, and other weather and road conditions in the Nagano area during winter, the actual itinerary may be affected by weather and traffic conditions. If there is a risk that the trip may not be able to return on time due to severe weather, in order to ensure that passengers can return safely on the same day, some parts of the itinerary may be adjusted or shortened according to the actual situation. Please be aware of this and understand in advance.
