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Top things to do in Shimotakai

Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch
Klook's choice
Tours • From Tokyo

Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(552) • 9K+ booked
€ 114.40
Save € 28.60
Nagano Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine & Sake Culture Experience Day Tour (Departing from Nagano)
11.11 deal
Tours • From Nagano

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

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(90) • 2K+ booked
€ 68.35
Save € 68.30
Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour
Klook's choice
Tours • Nagano

Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour

Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(267) • 3K+ booked
€ 123.35
Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)
Tours • From Myoko, Matsumoto, Shimotakai, Nagano, Kitaadumi

Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)

Private tour
English guided
Private group
5.0 / 5
(27) • 500+ booked
€ 138.25
Nozawa | Togari Ski Resort Mandarin and English Ski Instructor (Includes Photography)
Outdoor & sports activities • Shimotakai

Nozawa | Togari Ski Resort Mandarin and English Ski Instructor (Includes Photography)

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(6) • 50+ booked
From
€ 297.55
Save € 52.50
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Small Group Tour
Tours • From Nagano

Nagano Snow Monkey Park Small Group Tour

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
New Activity
From
€ 84.59
Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Full-Day Discovery with Soba Lunch
Klook's choice
Tours • From Nagano, Shimotakai, Iiyama

Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Full-Day Discovery with Soba Lunch

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
5.0 / 5
(2)
€ 78.09
Save € 52.06
Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)
Tours • From Nagano

Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)

English guided
Free cancellation
4.6 / 5
(14) • 200+ booked
€ 136.65
50% off select options
Rhythm Hakuba Ski/Snowboard Gear & Wear Rental
Outdoor & sports activities • From Kitaadumi, Azumino, Chiisagata County, Chikuma, Chino

Rhythm Hakuba Ski/Snowboard Gear & Wear Rental

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
€ 95.79
Jigokudani Snow Monkey + Togakushi Shrine/Iiyama Snow Huts | Nagano/Matsumoto
Tours • From Matsumoto, Nagano

Jigokudani Snow Monkey + Togakushi Shrine/Iiyama Snow Huts | Nagano/Matsumoto

English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
€ 102.55
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Full-Day Private Guided Tour
Klook's choice
Tours • From Tokyo

Nagano Snow Monkey Park Full-Day Private Guided Tour

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.8 / 5
(10) • 50+ booked
€ 406.65

Top attractions in Shimotakai

Nature park
5.0/5(5K+ reviews)

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
4.5/5(104K+ reviews)

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
5.0/5(3K+ reviews)

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
4.5/5(104K+ reviews)

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.
JR Hokuriku Arch Pass
11.11 deal
Rail passes • From Tokyo

JR Hokuriku Arch Pass

Book now for today
Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(2.1K) • 70K+ booked
€ 198.25
Freebies
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata
Car charters • From Tokyo

Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(92) • 1K+ booked
€ 386.05
Retail: € 426.59
Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Train tickets • Nagano

Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

Instant confirmation
€ 44.19
Claim to get 3 off
Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Train tickets • Iiyama

Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

Instant confirmation
€ 46.69
Claim to get 3 off
Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Train tickets • Tokyo

Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

Instant confirmation
€ 46.69
Claim to get 3 off

Hotels in Shimotakai

Club Wyndham Shirakabaso Shigakogen
Hotels • Shimotakai

Club Wyndham Shirakabaso Shigakogen

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(16)
From
€ 94.81
Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel
Hotels • Shimotakai

Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel

Instant confirmation
3.9 / 5
(184)
From
€ 130.95
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA
Hotels • Shimotakai

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(132)
From
€ 481.08
Wafu No Yado MASUYA
Hotels • Shimotakai

Wafu No Yado MASUYA

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(156)
From
€ 193.51
Shibu Hotel
Hotels • Shimotakai

Shibu Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.9 / 5
(239)
From
€ 246.03
Hotel Housei
Hotels • Shimotakai

Hotel Housei

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(240)
From
€ 88.25
€ 91.32
Hotel Yudanaka
Hotels • Shimotakai

Hotel Yudanaka

Instant confirmation
3.7 / 5
(53)
From
€ 100.88
Koishiya Ryokan
Hotels • Shimotakai

Koishiya Ryokan

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(153)
From
€ 69.81
Kumanoyu Hotel
Hotels • Shimotakai

Kumanoyu Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.1 / 5
(32)
From
€ 159.04
Yorozuya
Hotels • Shimotakai

Yorozuya

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(71)
From
€ 385.01
€ 394.59
Ryuoo Park Hotel
Hotels • Shimotakai

Ryuoo Park Hotel

Instant confirmation
3.5 / 5
(16)
From
€ 68.06
Yudanaka Seifuso
Hotels • Shimotakai

Yudanaka Seifuso

Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(203)
From
€ 121.64

Reviews of Shimotakai activities

Ngo *******
2026-10-30 09:53:15
Great 4.0
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.
Qiang *
2026-07-07 23:49:24
Fantastic 5.0
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
Lior ******
2026-11-05 12:20:29
Fantastic 5.0
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
Fantastic 5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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
Fantastic 5.0
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
Fantastic 5.0
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
Fantastic 5.0
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
Fantastic 5.0
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
Great 4.0
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

When is the busiest time to visit Shimotakai?

Based on what travelers booked on Klook

Busier than usual Quieter than usual
250
200
150
Avg 100Avg
50
0
Busiest 216
Jan
157
Feb
156
Mar
49
Apr
22
May
54
Jul
Quietest 11
Aug
54
Sep
43
Oct
97
Nov
124
Dec

Demand from travellers from Singapore spikes in January, roughly 116% above a typical month, while August is much quieter at about 89% below a typical month — book early for January and expect easier availability and fewer crowds in August. Based on Klook historical booking data.

When is Shimotakai cheapest?

Find months that fit your budget.

600
500
400
300
200
100
Cheapest S$141 Priciest S$542
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Jun

Typical activity prices are around SGD 141 in March, roughly 74% below the priciest month in June, so visiting in March usually brings lower costs; this cheaper month also aligns with the quieter season shown by demand. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.

How far ahead should you book?

Plan ahead so you don’t miss out

3 daysLast-minute
10 daysTypical
23 daysEarly

Most travellers book about 10 days ahead, which keeps plans fairly flexible; during January’s peak you may still want to secure popular activities earlier than this. Based on Klook booking data, February 2026 – July 2026.

Quick facts about Shimotakai

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1EUR = 176.76JPY

  • Official languages

What to know before visiting Shimotakai

What Shimotakai is known for

Shimotakai draws visitors mainly for Tours, Outdoor & sports activities and Cable cars, according to Klook booking data. The town’s rhythm is sharply seasonal: bookings peak in January and remain high through February and March, while large parts of the year fall into the very quiet category. That pattern means the busiest months bring the festival atmosphere and full activity schedules, while the quieter months suit travellers wanting space and lower crowds. Decide whether you want peak-season energy or quieter time — Klook booking data shows this contrast clearly across the year.

Best months to visit Shimotakai

January is the single busiest month on Klook, with demand well above a typical month, while August is the quietest. Prices move unevenly through the year: the median paid on Klook drifts down after the mid-year peak and reaches its lowest typical level in March, then spikes to the priciest typical price in June. Where demand and price align gives different planning choices—January offers peak atmosphere despite mid-range typical prices, while March and several very quiet months let you avoid crowds and chase lower prices. For lower prices and smaller crowds, aim for March or the very quiet months; for peak-season atmosphere, choose January.

Month Demand Level Typical Price
January Peak demand SGD 166
February Peak demand SGD 157
March Peak demand SGD 141
April Very quiet SGD 220
May Very quiet
July Very quiet SGD 152
August Very quiet SGD 329
September Very quiet SGD 194
October Very quiet SGD 180
November About average SGD 181
December Busier than usual SGD 177

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

Kijimadaira is typically the most affordable district for nightly hotel stays on Klook, with a typical nightly rate around SGD 253, while Nozawaonsen sits at the priciest end with a typical nightly rate around SGD 328, a gap of roughly 23% between them according to Klook booking data. The more affordable end tends to suit travellers prioritising budget and flexibility, while pricier districts suit those after a more premium stay or local ambience. Choose between budget convenience or a pricier, more atmospheric stay based on what matters most for your trip.

Tips for travellers from Singapore

Most travellers book Shimotakai experiences about 10 days ahead, with the earliest planners booking around 23 days out, as seen in Klook advance-booking data. That typical lead time suggests you should plan ahead rather than wait — lock popular tours and outdoor activities earlier in January and other busy months. If you prefer flexibility, last-minute options do appear (some experiences book within 3 days), but peak months reward earlier booking. Use Klook to secure activities that match your dates and size your plans around the seasonal demand noted above.

FAQs about Shimotakai

When is the best time to visit Shimotakai County?

When is the cheapest time to visit Shimotakai County?

How far ahead should I book activities in Shimotakai County if I’m travelling from Singapore?

How much do activities in Shimotakai County typically cost?

What is Shimotakai County best known for on Klook?