Time zone
GMT +09:00
No time difference
Currency
Japanese Yen
1RON = 34.24JPY
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
(87) • 1K+ booked
RON 429.39
Fall deal
Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(552) • 9K+ booked
RON 513.59
Klook's choice
Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(262) • 3K+ booked
RON 636.75
Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)
Private tour
English guided
Private group
(27) • 500+ booked
RON 620.69
Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(14) • 200+ booked
RON 613.39
RON 292.09
Fall deal
Nozawa | Togari Ski Resort Chinese and English ski instructor
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(6) • 50+ booked
From
RON 1,396.55
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
RON 607.90
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen 1-Day Tour (with Soba Lunch)
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
RON 350.55
RON 2,190.65
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey Park & Shibu Onsen Cultural Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Afternoon departure
(46) • 600+ booked
RON 289.19
Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine Private Day Tour from Nagano
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
RON 817.85
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 is a fantastic destination in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, known for its great skiing and charming hot spring village. With incredible ski runs for both beginners and advanced skiers, you'll find plenty to explore on the slopes at Nozawa Ski Resort. After a fun day on the slopes, you can relax in one of the many hot springs in Nozawa Onsen Village—a perfect way to soothe your muscles. But that's not all! A visit in mid-January means you can enjoy the Dosojin Fire Festival, an exciting event that highlights Nozawa's rich culture and history. Everything here is within walking distance, making it easy to explore the traditional Japanese village streets. With its incredible snow, vibrant culture, and soothing hot springs, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is an exciting winter getaway that you won't forget.
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
RON 1,022.29
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata
Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(92) • 1K+ booked
RON 1,993.05
Retail: RON 2,202.29
Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
RON 228.15
Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
RON 240.99
Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
RON 240.99
Hotels in Shimotakai
Nozawa Grand Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
RON 702.2
RON52.04 off
From
RON 684.93
RON52.04 off
From
RON 423.49
RON 461.18
RON52.04 off
From
RON 316.61
RON52.04 off
From
RON 446.76
RON52.04 off
From
RON 2,269.27
RON52.04 off
From
RON 1,679.52
RON52.04 off
From
RON 446.53
RON52.04 off
From
RON 776.21
RON52.04 off
Snow Monkey Lodge - Hostel
Instant confirmation
From
RON 364.51
RON52.04 off
From
RON 1,350.12
RON52.04 off
From
RON 955.99
RON52.04 off
Reviews of Shimotakai activities
Charles **********
2026-03-13 13:07:58
The trip was super nice. It still pushed through even though we're only 5 in the group. The pacing just feels right for both the snow monkey and the shrines. Helen, our tour guide, was also very accommodating and friendly.
Klook User
2026-03-15 02:06:06
We loved this tour! It was fun but also easy and stress free having Dillon as our guide, and transportation via bus to all sites. Dillon had an incredible wealth of knowledge about all things Snow Monkeys, Sake, and Zenkoji Temple. We enjoyed this experience and is a highlight of our trip! Be mindful the walk to see the monkeys is long but worth it, and if you do the dark passage at the temple, it takes up a bit of your free time that you may otherwise prefer to use for exploring shops and food options.
ArlizKatrina *****
2026-02-27 12:19:14
It was a wonderful tour with a lovely tour guide, Hana, same name with sakura. I am glad I booked this daytrip. It was informative and well executed tour despite of a long ride in the bus. First, we stopped by to have a sumptuous beef sukiyaki lunch. Then proceeded to hiking for 40minutes to see cute snow monkeys bathing in hot spring. Please bring cleats or anti slip gear for shoes, to avoid accidents during hiking. So thankful, all of us were mindful of the given time thus we we’re able to complete the itinerary. The last stop was the Kamakura Snow Dome Village. So glad to experience my first snow in Nagano. Truly memorable and magical experience. Arigathanks 🌸💕
Shalee *******
2026-03-02 08:55:08
this was a fantastic trio of villages to visit, especially in winter. Gokayama is quiet and otherworldly! The paper washi making was super fun, our guide and driver were consistent and reliable, the car itself was comfy, and the scenery between places was absolutely breathtaking. definitely worth paying the money to get to experience the immense beauty of this region without the hassle of driving or getting around via other methods.
Jacqueline ***
2026-03-04 23:19:47
Fantastic afternoon tour. The monkeys did not disappoint, we were there for the afternoon. feeding time so we were very fortunate to see so many of them running around and through the crowds without hesitation. Our guide Rosella was brilliant! She was organised, accommodating and so funny! Her knowledge of the local areas and the monkey park was substantial - no question went unanswered. would absolutely recommend you take this tour with Rosella.
Dinah ******
2026-02-16 09:29:50
Our tour was on a Monday and we had Dave as our guide. The tour itself was great. We started the tour at monkey park. I do wish we had the option to arrive there earlier to beat the crowd, and enjoy walk to the park. But if you’re patient enough, you can get a good spot to see the monkeys in the hot springs. Before heading to the shrine, we stopped for lunch and let Dave picked. So glad he picked, it was delicious soba. Then we arrived at shrine. The walk along the tree lines felt ethereal and majestic, especially with the snow. Now about our tour guide, Dave really made the whole day super enjoyable. He arrived promptly and warmly. Dave was a wonderful tour guide. He lives locally, and pointed out fun local spots. At each location, he was very patient with us. Went above and beyond when taking our photos. Loved this tour.
Shimotakai at a glance
Quick facts about Shimotakai
General info
What to know before visiting Shimotakai
Shimotakai County at a glance
Shimotakai County draws most bookings for tours, outdoor and sports activities, with a smaller share for cable-car experiences. Demand has a strong seasonal pulse through the year, with sharp peaks and quiet troughs shaping when visitors book activities.
Best times to visit and how prices move
Klook booking data shows the busiest month is February, while August sees the weakest demand. Prices generally drift down through spring into April — which Klook bookings show is typically the cheapest month — then spike in May, the priciest month on record. If you want lower prices and smaller crowds, aim for April or the quieter summer months; if you prefer peak-season atmosphere and the highest activity levels, plan for February.
Tips for travellers from Hong Kong
Travellers from Hong Kong typically book about ten days ahead, so there’s room to plan but also some flexibility. For travel in February (the peak month) consider booking earlier within that planning window; for quieter months like April you can often book closer to your trip. Use Klook to compare tours and outdoor activities and lock in options that match your travel style.
FAQs about Shimotakai
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