How to Get to Japan’s Snow Monkey Park from Tokyo (& Everything Else You Need to Know)

Officially known as Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, this scenic park is home to a troop of wild Japanese macaque monkeys that are famous for their love of onsens (aka hot springs).

Throughout the year, but especially during the winter months, you can find these delightful creatures soaking and relaxing in the mountain’s natural thermal ponds.

It’s such an unforgettable experience – and one that I highly recommend!

In fact, I recently visited the Snow Monkey Park on a day trip from Tokyo, and I can’t get over how enjoyable it was! 

The monkeys were incredibly cute! And watching them freely run around, play, and lounge in their cozy onsens was such a unique experience!

That said, Jigokudani Park isn’t the easiest destination to reach. It lies a bit off the beaten path, so getting here takes some time and dedication. But, it’s definitely doable – and well worth it! 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to travel from Tokyo to the Snow Monkey Park.

Whether you’re looking for the fastest route, the most budget-friendly option, or prefer a more guided experience, I’ve got all the information you need and more. 

So, without further ado, let’s break it all down and plan out your visit to Japan’s Snow Monkey Park!

They travel down from the nearby mountains on almost a daily basis, drawn in by the warmth of the onsens and the promise of free food.

It’s not exactly clear why the park was created in the first place. Although, two common theories persist – and my guess is they both likely played a role to some extent. 

The first theory suggests that the park was established to ease conflict between the monkeys and local farmers.

As ski resorts and other developments expanded into the mountains, the monkeys were pushed to lower altitudes, where they began raiding farms and destroying crops. 

To reduce tensions, the Snow Monkey Park was created as a designated safe space for them to go.

This story is very similar to the one surrounding the Monkey Park in Beppu. So, it’s entirely possible that something similar happened in Nagano.

However, other sources suggest that the park was actually developed for research and observation purposes.

Japanese macaques are known for their complex social structures and unique behaviors. And, the monkeys at Jigokudani Park are especially fascinating due to their love of hot springs.

It’s said that researchers wanted an opportunity to study the monkeys in their natural habitat, and so the park was created to support those efforts.

Regardless of its origins, the Snow Monkey Park has become a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.

Fun Fact: The monkeys of Jigokudani are the only monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs – a behavior they likely learned by watching humans!

Nestled in the Japanese Alps, it lies within the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park – a vast and scenic wilderness known for its rugged mountains, lush forests, and abundant wildlife.

Despite the park’s remote setting, it’s still quite accessible from Nagano City and by extension Tokyo.

The park is situated about 38 kilometers from Nagano Station and 270 kilometers from Tokyo Station.

This train makes two stops within Tokyo – at Tokyo Station and Ueno Station – so you can board at whichever is most convenient for you.

Travel times to Nagano vary depending upon the specific train, but average about 1.5 to 2 hours.

In total, the journey from Tokyo to Nagano Station takes about 4-4.5 hours, then it’s another 45-minute ride to the Snow Monkey Park.

As such, I only recommend this option, if you plan to spend the night in Nagano. It would be too much to try and visit the park as a day trip via bus.

That said, most buses to Nagano depart from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, which is located right next to Shinjuku Station.

You can purchase tickets either upon arrival or ahead of time online. While I’ve never personally purchased bus tickets online, I have heard good things about Japan Bus Online. 

As shared above, you can purchase tickets for the Snow Monkey Express Bus and Nagano Dentetsu Train upon arrival at the train station.

In addition to transportation, they typically include admissions into the park, lunch, and sometimes an additional activity or destination – like a visit to the Kamakura snow huts. 

That said, some tours are only offered during the winter months, so that’s something you’ll want to take into consideration.

If you do decide to join a guided tour, I highly recommend booking your spot in advance, as they are known to sell out quickly!

The drive from Tokyo to the park takes about 3.5 hours, so it’s definitely doable as a day trip.

However, I’d encourage you to hang around a bit longer and explore more of the area. You have the car, so you might as well make the most of it!

That being said, car rentals are readily available throughout Tokyo. So, you should have no problem securing a vehicle for your trip. Just be sure to, again, book it in advance!

This is when you’ll be able to watch along as the monkeys bathe in the steaming onsens surrounded by an incredible winter landscape – it’s truly a sight to behold!

Of course, winter is also the park’s busiest season, so you should expect larger crowds. 

To avoid some of the rush, you can visit early in the morning or on a weekday – but you’re still likely to encounter other people.

If you wish to dodge the crowds altogether, consider visiting another time! The park is open year-round and monkeys can be spotted in every season.

Summer, in particular, is a great alternative – especially if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of baby monkeys. Those born in the spring are usually running around all over the park come summertime. 

Just be sure to keep an eye on the weather and look out for rain – July and August are the rainiest months of the year in Nagano.

Aside from this, you can visit the park in the spring or the fall. Just keep in mind that you may not see as many monkeys.

Spring is when the babies are born, so most mothers stay up in the mountains until their young are old enough to explore.

Meanwhile, fall is mating season and it’s also when the mountains are full of wild fruit and nuts – so the monkeys tend to be a bit more preoccupied around this time of the year.

The cost of admission is currently set at 800 yen per adult and 400 yen per child.

Tickets must be purchased on-site, as there’s no option to buy them in advance – unless you opt for the Snow Monkey Pass.

You’ll find the ticket office right at the entrance to the park, alongside a small gift shop with restrooms.

To make the most of your visit, I highly recommend visiting the park as early as possible. 

When we went, we arrived around 10:00 am and there was already a steady flow of visitors.

However, by the time we left around 12:30 pm, the crowds had more than doubled in size, and a long line had formed at the ticketing office.

So, trust me when I say – earlier is better! And this is coming from someone who is definitely not a morning person!!

The trail, which begins near the bus stop, is a very scenic and beautiful path, one that is relatively flat and easy to navigate. Although, there are a few steps here and there.

Most visitors should have no problem walking the trail. However, it does take about 30–40 minutes each way, so I recommend bringing along some water.

Also, be sure to keep an eye out – if you’re lucky, you may even spot a monkey or two along the way!

In the winter months, the path can become quite slippery and/or muddy depending on the weather. So, I recommend wearing sturdy, waterproof shoes.

There’s also a small rental shop at the start of the trail where you can borrow shoe spikes and walking sticks, if you want.

Aside from this, it’s a good idea to wear a winter coat and bring along a hat and gloves to ensure you stay nice and warm.

For those visiting in the summer, you should be fine with normal sneakers or hiking shoes and light layers.

You may also want to bring along an umbrella or raincoat. Summer is the rainy season for Japan, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared.

Given this, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see a lot of monkeys when you visit. And there’s no guarantee that they will use the hot springs while you’re there. 

That being said, most monkeys come on almost a daily basis and take a dip in the water at some point throughout the day.

It really just comes down to timing and luck – so, keep that in mind.

The park specifically asks all visitors to refrain from touching, reaching out, threatening, or startling the monkeys.

It’s also important that you avoid direct eye contact with them. In the animal kingdom, direct eye contact is seen as a threat, which can trigger defensive and aggressive behavior – even in monkeys.

Aside from this, please also refrain from feeding the monkeys or showing them food. 

They are fed by park staff in small amounts to entice them down to the park. But the goal is to keep that at a minimum, so they don’t become too reliant on humans.

The buses run at specific times, and during the summer, there are fewer trips offered.

So be sure to plan accordingly. Otherwise, you may miss the bus or you may end up waiting around for a long time.

You can find the schedule for the Snow Monkey Express Bus online and posted at each of the bus stops.

🌟 For more wildlife experiences, be sure to also check out Nara & Miyajima Island – both of which are home to free-roaming Sika deer!

• Zenkoji Temple: Set within the city center, Zenkoji is a Buddhist temple that dates back to the 7th century. It is said to house Japan’s first-ever Buddha statue. 
• Zenkōji Nakamise Street: Stretching down from Zenkoji Temple, Nakamise is a quaint shopping street home to a variety of local stores, restaurants, and cafes. It also happens to feature a number of traditional, historic buildings.
• Togakushi Shrine: Nestled in the mountains of Nagano, Togakushi is a Shinto shrine complex known for its stunning natural beauty. Here, you’ll find five separate shrines connected by a scenic hiking trail.
• Shiga Kogen: Situated within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest combined ski area. Consisting of 12 separate ski resorts, the area is a popular spot for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. 
• Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen: Located near the Snow Monkey Park in the town of Yamanouchi, you’ll find two onsen resorts – Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen. Both of which are known for their cozy vibes and relaxing hot springs.

• Nagano Station: The area around Nagano Station is the best place to stay if you’re short on time. It provides easy access not just to public transportation, but also to a number of the city’s hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
• Yamanouchi: For those who’d prefer to stay closer to the Snow Monkey Park, there’s the town of Yamanouchi. As shared above, this is where you’ll find Nagano’s incredible onsen resorts including Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen.
• Shiga Kogen: If you’re interested in hitting the slopes, consider staying near Shiga Kogen. There are approximately 100 different hotels scattered around the area, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.