Time zone
GMT +09:00
No time difference
Currency
Japanese Yen
1INR = 1.68JPY
Official languages
Japanese
Top things to do in Shimotakai
Nagano Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine & Sake Culture Experience Day Tour (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(90) • 1K+ booked
₹ 6,240
Klook's choice
Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(552) • 9K+ booked
₹ 10,449
Klook's choice
Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(267) • 3K+ booked
From
₹ 12,933
Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)
Private tour
English guided
Private group
(27) • 500+ booked
₹ 12,627
Jigokudani Snow Monkey + Togakushi Shrine/Iiyama Snow Huts | Nagano/Matsumoto
English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
₹ 10,770
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Small Group Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
From
₹ 7,725
Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(14) • 200+ booked
₹ 12,479
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Full-Day Discovery with Soba Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(2)
₹ 7,131
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
₹ 12,368
Rhythm Hakuba Ski/Snowboard Gear & Wear Rental
English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
₹ 9,145
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Full-Day Private Guided Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(10) • 50+ booked
₹ 37,140
Nozawa | Togari Ski Resort Mandarin and English Ski Instructor (Includes Photography)
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(6) • 50+ booked
From
₹ 28,412
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
₹ 20,345
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(92) • 1K+ booked
₹ 40,548
Retail: ₹ 44,805
Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
₹ 4,641
Claim to get 3 off
Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
₹ 4,902
Claim to get 3 off
Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
₹ 4,902
Claim to get 3 off
Hotels in Shimotakai
From
₹ 10,054.28
From
₹ 13,874.26
From
₹ 50,375.57
From
₹ 25,764.25
From
₹ 20,212.97
From
₹ 7,310.34
From
₹ 39,733.87
From
₹ 10,592.51
From
₹ 16,935.79
From
₹ 9,475.11
₹ 9,670.03
From
₹ 12,952.35
From
₹ 31,919.62
₹ 32,241.79
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
Ngo *******
2026-10-30 09:53:15
You do need know a little of the Japanese language to be able to communicate with staff. They are kind and friendly. The room was spacious. Classic styling and comfortable. We had a good view of misty mountains. The location was not too bad from the train and bus terminal. A bit hill-y. Nearest 7-Eleven is the closest for sending luggage though.
Lior ******
2026-11-05 12:20:29
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!
Klook User
2026-10-22 08:58:55
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An absolutely amazing experience with Snow Monkey Resorts! 🐒❄️
We had such a fantastic time, thanks to our awesome tour guide, Hishiro, and our wonderful driver, Asaki (apologies if I’ve spelt your names incorrectly! 😊).
Hishiro was such a cool, friendly and knowledgeable guide who made the whole experience even more enjoyable. He was also incredibly thoughtful, knowing we’d had a big day the day before trekking through the Cedar Woods 😂🌲 It was those little things that really made us feel looked after.
A huge shout-out to Asaki as well! He was an excellent driver, so polite, professional and friendly, making the journey comfortable and stress-free.
These two really made our day extra special, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team! ❤️
If you’re thinking of booking a tour with Snow Monkey Resorts, I highly recommend them! 🙌 Hopefully, you’re lucky enough to get Hishiro and Asaki too — they were absolutely awesome! Thank you both for such a memorable experience! 🇯🇵
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
2026-10-28 10:17:54
What a great day and super guide, Ryu. The rain and cold air did not stop us from enjoying the tour. Ryu was kind and knowledgeable from the start. He helped us navigate the train tickets, bus fare and entrance fees. The snow monkeys showed up in full force and we had infinite photo opportunities. After a delicious lunch we took the bus to a local onsen and warmed our feet in the hot spring water. The train then took us back to
Jonas **
2026-11-04 08:51:50
Umut was very friendly and a great tour guide ! Definitely recommend if you want a nice tour to the snow monkeys 🙊 👍
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
What to do in Shimotakai
Shimotakai draws most visitors for guided Tours and Outdoor & sports activities throughout the year, with occasional bookings for Cable cars. Klook booking data shows Tours lead volume and stay popular in the high season, while Outdoor & sports activities fill in the quieter months for active travellers. The city's rhythm is strongly seasonal: demand peaks in February and around January–March, then drops to very quiet levels through mid-year. Decide between peak atmosphere or quieter exploration when planning — Klook booking data helps time which activities suit your travel style.
Best months to visit Shimotakai
Demand on Klook concentrates in the northern winter: February is the busiest month, with January and March also showing elevated demand, while August is the quietest month of the year. Prices move differently across the calendar: typical median prices are lowest in April and highest in May, and the busiest months do not exactly match the priciest month — that divergence means you can often avoid crowds without paying peak prices. For lower prices and smaller crowds, aim for April or the very quiet months; for peak-season atmosphere, choose February or December.
| Month | Demand Level | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak demand | MYR 523 |
| February | Peak demand | MYR 495 |
| March | Peak demand | MYR 474 |
| April | About average | MYR 430 |
| May | Very quiet | MYR 766 |
| June | Very quiet | MYR 442 |
| July | Very quiet | MYR 470 |
| August | Very quiet | MYR 604 |
| September | Very quiet | MYR 604 |
| October | Very quiet | MYR 596 |
| November | Very quiet | MYR 551 |
| December | Peak demand | MYR 547 |
Demand is bookings in that month compared with a typical month, from historical Klook booking data, grouped into the demand levels above; typical price is the median paid on Klook in that month; prices are shown with their currency code. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.
Where to stay in Shimotakai
Klook booking data shows Kijimadaira is the most affordable district with a typical nightly rate around MYR 799, while Nozawaonsen sits at the priciest end with about MYR 1,034 per night; the gap between them is roughly 23%. Cheaper districts tend to suit travellers prioritising budget and longer stays or those who prefer more economical lodging, whereas pricier districts suit travellers seeking higher-end accommodation or a more premium stay experience. Klook booking data underpins these typical nightly rates and the relative gap.
Tips for travellers from Malaysia
Most travellers on Klook book about 10 days ahead, with the earliest planners booking around three weeks out; plan accordingly and lean into booking earlier for the February and December peaks. With that typical lead time you have a bit of flexibility but benefit from securing popular Tours and Outdoor activities in advance during peak months. Use Klook to compare options, lock in refundable choices where available, and take advantage of the quieter months if you want lower crowd levels without sacrificing much on experience — booking on Klook captures these typical trends from Klook booking data.
FAQs about Shimotakai
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