Time zone
GMT +09:00
No time difference
Currency
Japanese Yen
1THB = 4.72JPY
Official languages
Japanese
Top things to do in Shimotakai
Fall deal
Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park, Togakushi Shrine, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Culture Experience Day Tour (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(88) • 1K+ booked
฿ 3,115
Klook's choice
Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(552) • 9K+ booked
฿ 3,726
Klook's choice
Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(263) • 3K+ booked
฿ 4,620
Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)
Private tour
English guided
Private group
(27) • 500+ booked
฿ 4,503
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Small Group Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
From
฿ 2,119
Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park & Zenko-ji Temple Day Tour with Local Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
฿ 3,973
Tokyo | Nagano Departure: Jigokudani Monkey Park Snow Monkey Hot Spring, Beef Sukiyaki | Togakushi Shrine Secret, Zenkoji Nakamise-dori | Limited-time Iiyama Snow Hut, Beef Sukiyaki
English guided
Free cancellation
(3) • 200+ booked
฿ 4,410
Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(14) • 200+ booked
฿ 4,450
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Full-Day Private Guided Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(9)
฿ 13,244
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: Private Tour to World's Edge
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
฿ 7,629
Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine Private Day Tour from Nagano
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
฿ 5,934
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen 1-Day Tour (with Soba Lunch)
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
฿ 2,543
Top attractions in Shimotakai
Nature park
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Welcome to Jigokudani Monkey Park Shimotakai, a magical haven where nature and wildlife come together in perfect harmony. Nestled in the heart of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, this enchanting park is renowned for its wild Japanese macaques, affectionately known as snow monkeys. These fascinating creatures have captivated the hearts of visitors from around the world as they soak in the natural hot springs, a sight unique to this part of the globe. Set against the stunning backdrop of Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park, the park is located in the serene forests of the Jigokudani valley, also known as 'Hell's Valley' due to its steaming hot springs and rugged terrain. Here, you can witness the playful antics and heartwarming family interactions of these delightful animals, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Yamanouchi's landscape. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or an animal lover, Jigokudani Monkey Park offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
Ski resort
Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort
Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most famous winter destinations! With great ski runs for both beginners and advanced skiers, you'll find lots to explore on the slopes at Nozawa Ski Resort.
Start your adventure by gliding down powdery slopes that suit every skill level, from beginner-friendly trails to thrilling advanced runs. After an exciting day on the mountain, relax in one of the village’s 13 free public hot springs and relieve your stress. Then, walk through the traditional streets lined with wooden inns, cozy cafés, and local shops where you can taste delicious Japanese treats.
Don’t miss the Dosojin Fire Festival in January, where the whole village lights up with energy and tradition! Surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and winter white landscapes, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort gives you that satisfying blend of thrill and relaxation. So, pack your winter gear and book your Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort tour on Klook!
Park
Shiga Kogen
Located in the picturesque Nagano Prefecture highlands, Shiga Kogen is a group of 18 ski resorts where you can enjoy the biggest ski playground in Japan. With one lift pass, you can access all 48 lifts, gondolas, and ropeways across 18 resorts. Shiga Kogen is split into two main areas, meeting at a lively hub near the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki bus stop. Head south for a scenic climb up Mount Yokote at 2305 meters, where ski slopes and relaxing hot springs dot the route to the peak. Now, the northern area leads you to Oku Shiga Kogen, surrounded by towering 2000-meter peaks, offering a vast expanse for snow enthusiasts to play around. Also, the Higashidateyama Resort was the exciting stage for the slalom and giant slalom events during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
Tourist attraction
Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is a charming hot spring village in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. There's a ton to do here in the winter! The village is famous for its Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, which has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Japan. During the ski season, the resort has amazing snow and slopes for both beginners and expert riders. Another cool thing about Nozawa Onsen is its many hot springs or onsens. After a fun day on the slopes, you can relax in a warm and authentic Japanese bath. The local food in Nozawa Onsen is also a treat. Don't miss out on famous Oyaki buns, pickled Nozawana greens, Shinshu Soba noodles, and hot nabe (hot pot) to warm you up in the winter. With awesome skiing, relaxing hot springs, and tasty food, Nozawa Onsen is a must-visit place. It’s easy to get to and just one hour's drive from Iiyama Station, making it perfect for a winter trip.
Transport in Shimotakai
Fall deal
฿ 7,417
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata
Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(92) • 1K+ booked
฿ 14,460
Retail: ฿ 15,978
Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
฿ 1,655
Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
฿ 1,748
Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
฿ 1,748
Hotels in Shimotakai
From
฿ 2,610.3
From
฿ 2,509.7
From
฿ 3,581.3
From
฿ 3,483.9
From
฿ 7,074.8
From
฿ 4,930.5
From
฿ 3,341.7
฿ 3,431.9
From
฿ 7,050
From
฿ 3,747.9
From
฿ 4,389.3
From
฿ 14,717.1
฿ 14,865.7
From
฿ 18,182.3
Reviews of Shimotakai activities
Qiang *
2026-07-07 23:49:24
This pass is very convenient and has great value to ride JR pass. We just got our pass tocket from Tokyo station and booked seats to Itoigawa and Nagano for the 1st day to get familiar withbJR train and ticket system. We also reserved the ticket between Tokyo and Osaka on the 2nd and last day, which is the main purpose of this pass. Then, we used this pass to travel between Osaka and Kyoto for 2 days, where we ride every half hour express HARUKA
Joel **
2026-04-29 13:08:38
A beautiful Ryokan over 100 years old with tatami flooring and futons avaliable, including being very close to the snow monkeys, and a famous sushi restaurant called Kozushi run by an gentlemanly elderly man. A must try if ever in the area.
Alpha *******************
2026-04-21 04:18:38
totally worth the effort to see the Snow Monkey (Japanese Macaques) at Jihokudani Monkey Park, Nagano. These macaques (happily bathing at steaming onsen) dont mind the presence of humans around them. But be ready to walk the ascending unpaved trail (approx 1.2km to 1.5km, one way). Also The visit to Tokagushi Shrine gives us a feeling of serenity with very high/old cedar trees lining both sides of the trail.
Katy *
2026-07-05 23:35:36
This is a great way to see Nagano and the snow monkeys. The tour is often self directed as you get brought to a place, told a little about the history and architecture, and get the rest of the time to wander. My tour guide seemed a little nervous but he did a great job. Definitely worth my money.
Klook User
2026-04-06 22:08:24
the guide was great. the sukiyaki resturant was amazing and we had a great time seeing all the monkeys!
John **********
2026-05-28 13:44:31
We had a brilliant time on the tour. Taketo was a fantastic tour guide who was knowledgeable, engaging and spoke great English. He really made the day for us. The monkey park and vineyard were highlights of the day although all the locations we visited were stunning. I would absolutely recommend this tour to any other visitors!
Klook User
2026-06-18 04:26:35
It was a long drive, but totally worth it to see the snow monkeys. Our driver Atif was very accommodating. Overall it was an excellent experience. Just know that you're in for about 8hrs in the car and 2-3hrs of activity.
Yeow ********
2026-06-29 14:54:11
Our guide Shinji is a friendly and professional operator. His knowledge of Shibu Onsen town was particularly impressive. His local knowledge gave us a good insights into the daily lives of people in Onsen town.
Shimotakai at a glance
Quick facts about Shimotakai
General info
What to know before visiting Shimotakai
Quick snapshot of Shimotakai County and its attractions
Shimotakai County draws most bookings for Tours, Outdoor & sports activities, and a small number of Cable car experiences. Demand cycles strongly through the year, with a clear high season and a very quiet trough in early summer. The area suits travellers who enjoy active outdoor days and guided tours that showcase the local landscape.
Best months to visit and how prices move
According to Klook booking data, demand peaks in February and falls to a trough around June. Prices generally follow the same pattern: they drift lower through spring, hit a low in June, then jump sharply into May before settling again. For lower prices and fewer crowds, plan visits in June or the surrounding spring months; for peak-season atmosphere and the busiest activity offerings, visit in February. Note that price and demand mostly move together here, so the quiet months are also the cheaper months.
Tips for travellers from travellers worldwide
Travellers from anywhere can usually book most experiences with some flexibility: typical bookings are made around nine days ahead, with many last-minute options available up to about three days before. If you’re visiting in February—the busiest month—try to book earlier (around the typical or early booking window) to secure popular tours and outdoor activities. Klook listings make it easy to compare options and lock in the experiences that suit your dates.
FAQs about Shimotakai
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