Nagano Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine & Sake Culture Experience Day Tour (Departing from Nagano)

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.

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.

It was a lovely time!! Although I only got to see a few monkeys, the rest of the trip was just as fun and beautiful. The spots we went to were really nice and our guide Carp San was a delight! It is a pretty physically demanding tour, so keep that in mind and come prepared for a lot of walking!

The tour guide was friendly, and the itinerary was packed! There were so many snow monkeys, completely unafraid of people. We were also lucky enough to catch them at feeding time, which was lively. However, the snow made walking quite tiring, and some people slipped. If you participate in winter, be sure to wear shoes with good traction and that are waterproof. Because walking was difficult that day, it took longer, and no one had much time to eat. Fortunately, the tour guide made a special stop at a convenience store so everyone could replenish their energy, which was very thoughtful. The afternoon visit to Togakushi Shrine may be difficult for the elderly to climb to the top, but I still recommend going down to walk around. The straight and solemn avenue of sacred trees is great for taking pictures. The sake brewery tour at the end was also very interesting. The staff inside were very friendly, and you can personally sample various sakes and learn about the sake-making process. It wasn't just a superficial tour, and I felt like I got a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. Overall, it was a very worthwhile and wonderful day trip!

This tour was perfect, as I was looking for something that combined the Snow Monkey Park and Togakushi Shrine. It helped me save an entire day on my trip, since it would have been difficult to see both in one day by myself. I am very happy that I booked this tour, as I witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery on my Japan trip. Our guide, Li-Yu Feng, was incredibly helpful and kind, and she explained everything to us in great detail. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!

This Nagano day trip was incredibly packed and complete, offering a perfect blend of nature, culture, and local experiences. Visiting the serene Togakushi Shrine and seeing the snow monkeys up close at Jigokudani Monkey Park were absolute highlights. What truly made the tour exceptional was our guide’s consistently positive attitude, professionalism, and clear time management, which kept the day enjoyable and stress-free. Because all participants were respectful of the designated meetup times, we avoided unnecessary waiting and were able to fit in the sake culture experience, which added even more value to an already full itinerary. Overall, it was a well-organized, smooth, and rewarding tour that made the most out of a single day in Nagano.

We had an absolutely wonderful time visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Togakushi Shrine. Our guide, Wennie, made the experience unforgettable. She was warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable about every place we visited. She also helped us take photos—and captured some truly amazing shots for us! ☺️ Highly recommend this tour and Wennie’s exceptional guiding.

The arrangement of this tour is excellent. The first stop was Jigokudani, with a stay of over 1.5 hours, allowing for careful appreciation of the beautiful snow scenery and adorable snow monkeys. After that, we went to the Okusha hiking trail of Togakushi Shrine, where the towering cedar trees and the white snow were extremely beautiful. And the tour guide, Wennie, was attentive and courteous, explaining everything to the best of her ability, which made the trip much more enjoyable!

The tour was amazing and I enjoyed every bit of it. There will be a lot of walking but the view is worth it. Our tour guide Pin is great in telling the history, guiding us, nice and very considerate. Thank you for a wonderful tour. 🙂

An amazing tour with a super knowledgeable and friendly guide! There are some parts where you need to walk a bit, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. When we went, it was snowing—it made the whole experience even more magical! Absolutely recommended.