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
From
RON 684.93
From
RON 423.49
RON 461.18
From
RON 316.61
From
RON 446.76
From
RON 2,269.27
From
RON 1,679.52
From
RON 446.53
From
RON 776.21
Snow Monkey Lodge - Hostel
Instant confirmation
From
RON 364.51
From
RON 1,350.12
From
RON 955.99
Reviews of Shimotakai activities
Rhea *****
2026-02-03 07:41:24
We went in peak winter (end of January 2026) and this place was lovely. Very quaint and pretty boutique hotel. Owners are very sweet and accommodating. Their in-house onsen and public bath is also very good. They even provide free shuttle service to the snow monkey park and Yudanaka station which makes travel super convenient. I loved this place and will definitely visit again given its proximity to Tokyo.
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.
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
Klook 用戶
2026-02-20 04:40:36
I had a very pleasant conversation with Mr. Ge from Shanghai. He's been in Japan for 25 years and is familiar with tourist attractions. Originally, our third day was just going to be spent shopping in Shibuya in downtown Tokyo, but after talking with him, we learned that the Harry Potter museum in Nerima Ward could be explored in 4 hours. We immediately changed our itinerary, which really added to the memories of our trip. We've been to Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and the Harry Potter museum. I really recommend a trip to the Harry Potter museum. It's more relaxing than amusement parks where you're constantly waiting in line for rides. The immersive experience throughout the entire area is great, with so much to see and rich content. The surrounding commercial area selling merchandise is also very interesting, unlike the single area at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
Law ********
2026-02-13 06:13:36
Coach: This class was my first day ever snowboarding. Coach Henry from Taiwan provided attentive and meticulous care, giving me a great experience. Because I always used my left foot as my lead foot when waterskiing, I also used my left foot when I first started snowboarding. Later, the coach noticed that my right foot was more fluid when doing the movements, and encouraged and suggested that I try learning with my right foot. In the end, I really discovered that my right foot was actually my lead foot. Thank you to the coach for understanding my needs and constantly caring about my needs!
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 🌸💕
Shimotakai at a glance
Quick facts about Shimotakai
General info
What to know before visiting Shimotakai
Quick snapshot of Shimotakai County
Shimotakai County draws bookings mainly for Tours and Outdoor & sports activities, with a year that swings between busy winter months and a very quiet late-spring/early-summer. Demand peaks around January and February and drops sharply into May and the midsummer months.
Best times to visit and what to expect
Klook booking data show January and February as the busiest months, while May and the midsummer period see the lightest demand. Prices drift through the year: they fall from winter into early spring and reach the lowest typical levels around April, then climb again toward June when past data shows the priciest month. If you want smaller crowds and lower typical prices, aim for April or the quieter May–July window; for full peak-season atmosphere, plan for January–February. Note that demand and price don’t move in perfect lockstep—demand is highest in winter while the single-priciest month in past prices appears in June.
Tips for travellers from the Philippines
Most visitors book about ten days ahead on average, with last-minute bookings possible within a few days and early planners booking around three weeks out. If you travel from the Philippines with a flexible schedule you can often secure activities a short time before departure, but during January–February consider locking in popular tours earlier to avoid sold-out dates. Use Klook to compare typical options and timings so you can match quieter months or peak-season experiences to your travel style.
FAQs about Shimotakai
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