1-Day Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour

Discover Nagano’s winter magic with snow monkeys, a lantern festival, and a cozy dinner. Join our 1-day guided tour for an unforgettable experience.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park - Enjoy observing the famous monkeys in their winter habitat. With no barriers between you and the monkeys, this is a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will be on-hand to explain just what makes these creatures so unique, while also allowing plenty of free-time to enjoy for yourself.
  • MONZEN TERRACE ENYA - Cap the tour off with a multi-course dinner at one of Nagano City’s most popular restaurants, Monzen Terrace Enya. Dinner includes an appetizers, salad, soup, a main, dessert and more!
  • Zenko-ji Temple - Experience the near-1400 year old temple precinct bathed the brilliant light of the Tomyo Lantern Festival. Countless paper lanterns lead the way to the temple, while the temple itself comes to splendid light as a tribute to the Buddha. Indeed to also celebrate Nagano’s role as host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, this tranquil evening festival is sure to leave a lasting impression.
What's Included
  • Dinner
  • English-speaking guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Entry tickets to the Snow Monkey Park
What's Not Included
  • Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
  • Accommodation
  • Additional food, snacks & drinks
Additional Information

Combining a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and evening exploration of the Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival, this enjoyable 1-day tour marks the midpoint of winter and illuminates Nagano’s ancient heart! Including an early dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, this tour brings warmth and light into the midst of winter.

This tour begins at Nagano Station, from where you will be transported to the Jigokudani Monkey Park before returning to Nagano City for a warming winter dinner at Monzen Terrace Enya, before being guided around the Zenko-ji Temple precinct in the beauty and tranquility of its annual Tomyo Lantern Festival. All led by a locally-based, English-speaking guide, this tour is a great way to experience the best of Nagano in winter.

Location
Nagano Station
Your guide will meet you in front of the Information Board, directly across from the shinkansen ticket gates at 12:55. They will be wearing a 'Snow Monkey Resorts' tour tag.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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Lycetherece
Apr 5, 2021
Fantastic experience with a fantastic company! - AMAZING Valentine's Day! Our guide (Peter, I believe) was absolutely fantastic, offering information, fun facts and history at every turn. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful, and it was, despite abnormally warm weather keeping the monkeys away from the onsen, and COVID precautions causing an early end to the lantern festival. Our guide was super knowledgeable and helpful, and went above and beyond to provide a memorable tour for us all. He was the epitome of the hospitality and kindness that I love so much about Japan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pjdg
Feb 16, 2021
Great day out with an excellent tour operator - The tour was great, well run, and punctual. Peter (our tour guide) struck a perfect balance between explaining the area to us and giving us many interesting facts, while at the same time allowing us to explore at our own leisure. They also accommodated our dietary requirements with no fuss, which is unusual in Japan! We would definitely use Snow Monkeys again - they were professional, friendly, and super helpful the whole way through our trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape639724
Mar 7, 2020
Amazing experience - A wonderful day filled with nature, food, sake tasting and spirituality. Seeing those snow monkeys was the highlight. The organized lunch was beautifully presented and delicious. The temple visit was interesting and full of history. The day was concluded with sake tasting. David and Kieran are excellent and knowledgeable guides.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzannu2020
Feb 12, 2020
Perfect Day! - The tour was amazing! #1-Every meal catered to my gluten free needs, and they were prepared ahead of time. We had a perfect day with a little snow, but the monkeys were so active. Not that many in the hot spring because they kept running around at our feet. No worries- they acted like we weren't even there. The trail was a bit slippery so bring good boots, or rent them (like I did) at the base of the trail. Keiron was an amazing guide giving lots of history on each part of the tour, plus tips for additional things to do in Japan. I did arrive to Nagano early and went to the Temple in the day as well, not part of the tour. I'm glad I did as it was amazing to see the day and night pictures, as added below. I made a day trip from Tokyo. It was a long day, but perfect and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor