[2-Day Winter Secrets of Nagano] Iiyama Snow House Village & Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & ​​Togakushi Shrine & Zenkoji Temple | Stay at a hot spring hotel in Shiga Kogen | Depart from Tokyo

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- Itinerary Introduction -

・Iiyama "Snow House Village"

Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture is located at the junction of Nagano Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture. It is a famous heavy snow area in Japan. Every year, the local snow accumulation can reach up to 2 meters. The "Keeper Village" in Iiyama is only open from late January to late February. This village is located in a snowy area, and the snow accumulation can reach about 2 meters every year. Therefore, local residents took advantage of the winter farming off-season to carefully build a spectacular group of snow houses. There are 15 to 20 tall snow houses neatly arranged in the Snow House Village, making people feel like they are in a fairy tale world.

When you come to the Snow House Village, you can not only enjoy the beautiful snow house landscape, but also enjoy the special Japanese snacks in the snow house, and experience the snow house tour that is not usually accessible. Don't miss it. The snow house is surrounded by silvery white snow scenery during the day, and the mountains and snow in the distance complement each other, creating a pure and beautiful scenery. In addition, there are many other activities in the Snow House Village, such as visiting the mini snow house, visiting the Snow House Shrine, and participating in the Snow House Festival held in February every year. During the Snow House Festival, there will also be fireworks shows and snow sculpture carving activities, so that visitors can enjoy the snow country style in this winter paradise.

・Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park, also known as the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, is a world-famous attraction in Nagano Prefecture that attracts countless tourists to see the unique sight of wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. These macaques, commonly known as snow monkeys, are famous for their ability to relax in steaming hot springs during the harsh winter months. This behavior is only seen in the world and has attracted tourists from all over the world since the park opened in 1964. The name Jigokudani comes from its special geographical environment. The area is full of natural hot springs and is surrounded by steep mountains and towering cliffs. It looks like a hellish spectacular scene, especially when covered with snow in the winter.

There are approximately 150 monkeys here, who often gather in groups around the hot spring pools to play, swim, or simply enjoy a warm bath. To reach the Jigokudani Monkey Park, visitors need to walk along a mountain path for about 25 minutes, which allows visitors to enjoy the local natural scenery along the way. As the road may be icy and slippery in winter, it is recommended to wear non-slip hiking shoes and pay attention to safety. The snow monkeys in the park are wild animals, so please be sure to follow the rules and avoid feeding or touching them to ensure your safety and the safety of the monkeys. Whether it is the white snow in winter or the newborn monkeys in spring and summer, the scenery and the behavior of the snow monkeys here will make you feel the magic and charm of nature. This special attraction is not only a symbol of Nagano, but also a must-see place in Japan.

・Togakushi Shrine

Deep in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, there is a mysterious holy place that seems to be isolated from the world. That is the Togakushi Shrine with a history of more than 2,000 years. Surrounded by towering cedar trees, the air is fresh and peaceful. Walking in is like traveling through time and space and stepping into a divine realm full of spiritual energy.

"Nakasha" is the center of the entire Togakushi Shrine. The approach is surrounded by magnificent cedar trees on both sides, and you can feel the solemn atmosphere as soon as you step in. There are three "Sanbonsugi" trees standing side by side in front of the shrine. It is said that they are particularly spiritual sacred trees, and many people come here specifically to pray for inspiration and wisdom. The distance from the entrance to the shrine of "Okusha" is about 2 kilometers, and the scenery along the way is spectacular. The first half to Zuishinmon is a gentle slope, which takes about 15 minutes to reach; after entering the cedar forest, the slope becomes steeper, and the last section is an uphill road composed of natural stones and stone steps, which takes about 20 to 25 minutes to walk. Although the whole road is not short, the scenery along the way is very spectacular, and it is a favorite of many photography enthusiasts and meditative worshippers.

※Please note that some roads in Ohno are closed due to snowfall in winter. Please be informed.

・Zenkoji Temple

Zenko-ji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, with a history of more than 1,400 years. The main statue, "Ichiko Sanson Amida Nyorai", is considered one of the oldest Buddhist statues in Japan. The most eye-catching is the national treasure-level main hall. This wooden building not only reflects the magnificent style of traditional Japanese architecture, but also serves as a religious center. The "Order Tour" in the temple is an experience not to be missed. Through the dark passage set up under the main hall, believers grope for the "key to paradise" connected to the Gohonzon in a state of complete darkness. It is said that those who touch the key can establish a connection with the Gohonzon, making the Order Tour a unique spiritual and physical practice.

There are also many shops and restaurants around Zenko-ji Temple, offering a variety of Nagano specialties such as soba noodles and oyaki (おやき), allowing visitors to enjoy local cuisine after visiting the temple and enrich their travel experience. Whether it is history, religion or culture, Zenko-ji Temple is a tourist attraction that cannot be missed.

- Hotel Introduction -

・Kidoike Hot Spring Hotel

The history of Kidoike Onsen Hotel can be traced back to the early Showa era, when it was founded by the first owner of the hotel. It was originally named "Shiga Cabin" and was originally intended to provide a place for travelers passing through Kusatsu Street to rest. Kidoike Onsen is famous for its pure natural hot spring water. The hot spring water here is not heated or added at all, and is directly supplied from two sources, one is a high hot spring and the other is a low hot spring. After the two are mixed, they present a suitable water temperature. The spring here is a simple spring, the water is smooth, the soup is rich, and the slightly higher water temperature makes people feel comfortable. All rooms in Kidoike Onsen Hotel provide Wi-Fi service, and some rooms can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kidoike. From the window of the room, you can see the magnificent scenery of Shiga Plateau in all four seasons, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable time in the embrace of nature. All rooms are equipped with a toilet, toilet, TV, telephone and tea set to provide you with a convenient accommodation experience.

※Room: Japanese-style room (tatami), with bathroom facilities

※Hot spring bath: Yes

※Dinner: Japanese-style kaiseki cuisine

※Breakfast: Japanese-style banquet meal

※Wifi: Yes