11 Snow Monkey and Sake Day Trips in Nagano

1.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

Travel from Nagano to Zenko-ji Temple, a local sake tasting, and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park with an English-speaking guide. Expect a traditional lunch, forest walking, free time at each stop, and a real chance to see macaques near the hot spring. Winter guests from Hakuba can use the shuttle service.

“We were lucky to have Tom as our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about Japanese history but also gave an excellent summary of sake production and the different types as well as the snow monkeys and Nagano attractions. Tom was also very generous with recommendations for other areas in Japan. The tour was an excellent combination of the temple tour and snow monkey forest. Fantastic lunch included. Plenty of time to see the Zenkoji temple as well as the monkeys. Thanks Tom”

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2.Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135Best value

Follow an English-speaking guide through Zenkoji Temple, a local sake tasting and a generous Nagano lunch before walking 1.6 km to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Dylan, Brent, Tom and Hiroshi add local stories, practical help and humor. Winter pickup from Hakuba is available.

“What a wonderful day! The guides were great and very informative. The transportation was perfect. The meal was amazing. So fun and wonderful.”

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3.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Start at 8:45 am for a private Nagano day with an English-speaking guide. Walk to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, visit Zenko-ji, explore Obuse and the Hokusai Museum, then choose sake tasting or Shibu Onsen. Private-car and public-transport options are available.

“Our tour guide, Emi was absolutely wonderful! So kind and full of knowledge. The visit to see the snow monkeys was an unforgettable experience-felt like you were in a National Geographic magazine! I highly recommend booking this activity.”

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4.Snow Monkey, Zenko Ji Temple, Sake in Nagano Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews

This private 8 to 10-hour Nagano tour links Zenko-ji Temple, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, a local lunch stop, and Obuse. An English-speaking guide or driver-guide such as Bhatti, Ahmed, or Waheed handles transport for up to six people. Expect walking, extra entry fees, and a flexible day.

“Visiting the snow monkeys was amazing and highly recommend. However be warned that this is in no way a wheelchair accessible, stroller accessible or if you’re unfit in any way physically to go, as it requires you to walk 1.25 miles each way in muddy/wet terrain and colRead more”

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5.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Brewery. The day includes park admission, lunch, temple guiding, sake tasting, and transport, with guides such as Jens and Yama leading past tours.

“We had a great day out with Yama! We loved that there were only two large groups. The monkeys were great fun to watch and the walk through snow laden pines to see them was lovely! Lunch was a welcome surprise and we really enjoRead more”

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6.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $162

Join a small group of up to 12 with guides such as Masa or Kei for a 7 to 8-hour Nagano day. Walk to Jigokudani’s macaque hot springs, eat lunch in Obuse, taste two sakes, visit the Hokusai area, and add Zenkoji Temple on early departures.

“This is a wonderful tour with Mr Masa if you have never been to Nagano. He is very knowledgeable and took us to see the snow monkeys , Obuse where we had a wonderful lunch and shopping and then to the Zenkoji temple.”

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7.From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Spend 10 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Endo, Lin, Kieron, or Yama, visiting the Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, and a local sake stop. You’ll get transport, lunch, park entry, and tasting for $135, but expect a snowy forest walk and several hours on the bus.

“This trip and guide exceeded all expectations! Yama was a friendly local beekeeper guide, who was informative and very attentive to the group. It was amazing to be so close to the monkeys in such a beautiful location. I recommend trackers for your shoes for this tour. The monkeys wandered in between us and the little ones ran around playing and bathing! We did the snow monkey tour with a fantastic local cuisine lunch in a 200 year old farm house, visit to Nagano (beautiful town - be sure to walk the dark monk trail in the temple) and sake sampling. Highly recommend this tour for a taste of the…”

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8.Nagano: Snow Monkey and Zenkoji Temple Free Sake Taste Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews

You travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Tokyo to northern Nagano for Zenkoji Temple, Obuse, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, and Matsumoto Castle. The tour is designed for up to five people, with a driver or driver-guide, a woodland walk to the monkeys, and a sake tasting stop. Expect a very long day.

“We had an incredible experience on this tour! Our guide was very well-versed in English and shared fascinating insights about Japanese culture, history, and traditions throughout the day. He was friendly, approachable, and made the experience both informative and enjoyabRead more”

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9.Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Travel by private car with an English or Hindi-speaking driver to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, Shibu Onsen, Obuse, and optional Matsushiro Castle Ruins. Drivers such as Busal, Sikandar, and Naroz have been praised for smooth driving and helpful local suggestions. The Tokyo drive takes about 3.5 hours each way.

“The visit was great, everything goes well. Naroz was a great driver, very gentle.”

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10.Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $160

Meet your English-speaking guide at Nagano Station for a small-group day with 6 to 8 people, usually led by Masa. Walk to Jigokudani’s macaques, eat lunch in Obuse, taste two premium sakes, visit the Hokusai Museum, and choose a Zenkoji drop-off on the 8:45 departure.

“Masa was an excellent guide, we had a fabulous day getting out of the city and into nature, could not fault it! Comfortable transport, great information, very personable guide and the forest was magical but the absolute highlight was seeing snow monkeys. Also loved the village experience, art gallery (The Great Wave one), lunch and sake tasting fantastic . thank you Masa😀”

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11.Snow Monkeys Sake Tasting Zenko-ji and Monzen Terrace Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $543

Meet the famous macaques at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, sample local sake in Obuse, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and choose a Nagano-style lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya. A private, air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day simple, though attraction admission and alcohol cost extra.

“Went on this trip for my birthday, easily one of the best and most memorable things I have done. Our driver was so very friendly and answered any questions. He even went above and beyond at the restaurant letting them know it was my birthday and the brought out soRead more”

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