7 Extraordinary Winter Experiences | Snow Monsters (Juhyo), Jigokudani Monkey Park, and JR Iiyama Line Snow-Viewing Train 3-Day Tour (Round-trip JR from Osaka Station)
- Experience snow monsters (juhyo) at a mountain summit over 2,300 m above sea level!
- Enjoy the sight of wild Japanese macaques soaking in hot springs at the Snow Monkey Park!! (Note 5)
- Shiga Kogen Snow Monster Night Tour experience!
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Product Info
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[Travel Conditions]
Departure/Destination: Osaka Prefecture/Nagano Prefecture
Trip Duration: 3 days
Transportation: JR, chartered bus, local bus
Bus Company: Niigata Kotsu or a bus company in the Hokushinetsu area (our standard)
Meals: Breakfast: 2, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 2
Accommodation: Night 1: Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa [Designated] Night 2: Holiday-yu Shikinosato [Designated]
Minimum Participants: 26 people
Tour Leader: 1 (Japanese guidance)
Guide: 0
[Travel Planning/Operation]
Company Name: Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., West Japan Sales Headquarters, Media Sales Department 1
Address: Herbis OSAKA, 2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8355
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1847
[Entrusted Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
WESTALL Yotsuya Building 2F, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 2045
Member: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 26 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 14 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 14:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The tour leader will speak Japanese and manage the tour itinerary. Sightseeing brochures, etc., are basically in Japanese, but necessary information will be provided in writing in English/Chinese. In case of emergency, we will use translation apps, etc. Please note that there is no sightseeing guide.
We will be waiting at the meeting point holding a sign (board or flag). Please check the course name and complete the check-in under the representative's name. Check-in will be done after all companions have arrived.
Children aged 3 and above and under 12 are charged the same as adults. If you are bringing children aged 2 and under, please contact us via KKday message.
The above schedule may be subject to partial changes or delayed return times to the departure point due to circumstances such as bus transportation, weather, local conditions, or road conditions. / Snow scenery may not be visible depending on weather conditions. / On the day of departure, the bus company used may be changed due to bus vehicle malfunctions or the driver's physical condition (changes due to these reasons are exempt from liability).
This course has a final itinerary (which contains the confirmed departure time and schedule). It will be sent via KKday 5-7 days before the departure date.
All seats on JR limited express trains and Shinkansen are non-smoking. / The JR limited express trains and Shinkansen you will board are designated by us within the indicated time (designated time), and we cannot accommodate your requests. / Depending on the number of participants, you may be seated with other passengers or in front/behind seats on trains and buses. We cannot accept seating requests. / If you do not use the train designated by us for your own reasons, or if you miss the train, each ticket and limited express ticket will become invalid. Please purchase tickets and limited express tickets again by yourself. The cost at that time will be borne by you.
Lunch on Day 1 and Day 2 is not included in the travel fee, so please have it on your own. (Please prepare your own lunch on Day 1 and eat it on the JR train. On Day 2, please have it on your own at the designated location.) Dinner on Day 1 will be a bento box.
[Regarding bringing suitcases] You may store up to 1 piece of luggage per person (up to 70 L size) in the bus trunk during sightseeing bus travel. However, please be sure to carry your valuables with you. There is no 'seat with extra-large baggage space' system like on the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen. You can board without advance reservation.
The meeting time is in Japan Standard Time and must be strictly observed. If you do not appear at the meeting time, we and the tour leader will not contact you, and the tour will depart on schedule.
Snow scenery may not be visible depending on weather conditions. / Snow monsters are a natural phenomenon and may not be visible. There will be no refund of the travel fee in such cases. / (Note 1) The Central Alps Komagatake Ropeway will take you to a point over 2,000 m above sea level. It may be canceled due to weather conditions. In that case, the fare will be refunded. / (Note 2) The Iiyama Line has non-reserved seating, so you may not be able to get a seat during busy periods. / (Note 4) The local bus may be shared with other passengers. / (Note 5) As these are wild animals, they may not be visible. There is a walk of about 30-40 minutes one way on snowy roads. Please participate wearing shoes that are not slippery (rubber boots or snow boots are recommended) as there is a risk of snow and ice. If you are waiting around the bus, please take a walk in the neighborhood.
FAQ
1. Where are the best viewing points for the famous Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) and Shiga Kogen Snow Monsters?
The famous Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) can be experienced at high altitudes, often exceeding 2,300 meters, where unique weather conditions create these natural ice formations. Additionally, the Shiga Kogen area offers a special Snow Monster Night Tour, providing a different perspective to observe these impressive winter spectacles. These locations provide distinct and memorable viewing experiences for these seasonal wonders.
2. What are the characteristics of the natural phenomenon known as Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo)?
Zao Snow Monsters, or "Juhyo," are a unique natural phenomenon formed by strong winds carrying supercooled water droplets that freeze onto Aomori white fir trees. This rime ice gradually accumulates, along with heavy snowfall, transforming the trees into massive, strangely shaped figures resembling monsters. They typically form at high elevations, requiring specific temperature, moisture, and wind conditions, making them a rare winter sight.
3. What is the optimal season to experience attractions like Snow Monkeys and Snow Monsters in Nagano and Yamagata?
The optimal season to experience attractions like the Snow Monkeys and Snow Monsters in Nagano and Yamagata is typically during the winter months, from mid-December to early March. This period ensures abundant snowfall and sufficiently cold temperatures for the Snow Monsters to fully develop and for the wild Snow Monkeys to frequently visit the hot springs, creating their iconic bathing scenes.
4. Is December a good month for snowfall in Nagano Prefecture for activities like viewing Snow Monsters?
Yes, December marks the beginning of heavy snowfall in Nagano Prefecture, making it a good month for winter activities. While Snow Monsters begin to form in December, they typically reach their peak size and grandeur from late January to February. However, December still offers a great opportunity to witness the early stages of Juhyo formation and enjoy a snow-filled winter landscape for various activities.
5. What scenic locations, such as Jigokudani Monkey Park and Iiyama Kamakura Village, offer unique winter views?
Jigokudani Monkey Park offers the unique spectacle of wild Japanese macaques bathing in natural hot springs amidst a snowy landscape. The Iiyama Kamakura Village provides a charming experience with its traditional snow domes, where visitors can enjoy local cuisine in an immersive winter setting. Additionally, the panoramic views from the high-altitude areas where Snow Monsters form present breathtaking winter vistas across the region.
6. Beyond driving, what unique winter experiences like the Snow Monkey Park or JR Iiyama Line Snow View Train are available in Nagano?
Nagano offers a range of unique winter experiences. Visitors can witness wild Snow Monkeys soaking in hot springs at Jigokudani Monkey Park. Another highlight is the JR Iiyama Line Snow View Train, which provides picturesque journeys through snowy landscapes. Additionally, exploring the Iiyama Kamakura Village's snow domes and indulging in local Gibier cuisine are memorable experiences. For adventurers, a Shiga Kogen Snow Monster Night Tour is also available.
7. Where can visitors observe the unique sight of wild Snow Monkeys bathing in hot springs?
Visitors can observe the unique sight of wild Snow Monkeys bathing in hot springs at the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture. Located in a secluded valley, the park provides an intimate natural setting where these Japanese macaques descend from the surrounding mountains to warm themselves in the man-made pool, especially during colder winter months, creating a truly unforgettable animal encounter.
8. How convenient is transportation for accessing remote winter attractions like the JR Iiyama Line Snow View Train and Jigokudani Monkey Park?
While attractions like Jigokudani Monkey Park and the JR Iiyama Line Snow View Train are in somewhat remote, scenic winter locations, accessing them can be convenient, especially through organized tours that include comprehensive transportation. The JR Iiyama Line itself is a train, offering direct access to some areas. For Jigokudani, it typically involves a combination of train to a nearby station followed by a local bus and a walk through a snowy trail.
