Time zone
GMT +09:00
No time difference
Currency
Japanese Yen
1EUR = 175.71JPY
Official languages
Japanese
Top things to do in Shimotakai
Fall deal
Klook's choice
Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(552) • 9K+ booked
€ 115.09
Fall deal
Nagano Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & Togakushi Shrine & Sake Culture Experience Day Tour (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(89) • 1K+ booked
€ 96.25
Nagano Winter Private Tour with a local guide (from November to May)
Private tour
English guided
Private group
(27) • 500+ booked
€ 139.09
Klook's choice
Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tour
Book now for today
English guided
Free cancellation
(264) • 3K+ booked
From
€ 124.05
From
€ 225.39
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Small Group Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
New Activity
From
€ 71.99
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen 1-Day Tour (with Soba Lunch)
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 78.55
Winter Nagano Day Trip | Zenko-ji Temple & Iiyama Snow Hut & Nozawa Onsen Village (Departing from Nagano)
English guided
Free cancellation
(14) • 200+ booked
€ 137.45
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
€ 136.25
Fall deal
Nozawa | Togari Ski Resort Mandarin and English Ski Instructor (Includes Photography)
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(6) • 50+ booked
From
€ 299.35
Klook's choice
Nagano Snow Monkey Park Full-Day Private Guided Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
(10)
€ 409.05
Rhythm Hakuba Ski/Snowboard Gear & Wear Rental
English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
€ 96.35
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, located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most famous winter destinations! With great ski runs for both beginners and advanced skiers, you'll find lots to explore on the slopes at Nozawa Ski Resort.
Start your adventure by gliding down powdery slopes that suit every skill level, from beginner-friendly trails to thrilling advanced runs. After an exciting day on the mountain, relax in one of the village’s 13 free public hot springs and relieve your stress. Then, walk through the traditional streets lined with wooden inns, cozy cafés, and local shops where you can taste delicious Japanese treats.
Don’t miss the Dosojin Fire Festival in January, where the whole village lights up with energy and tradition! Surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and winter white landscapes, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort gives you that satisfying blend of thrill and relaxation. So, pack your winter gear and book your Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort tour on Klook!
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
Fall deal
€ 198.99
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver to Nearby Ski Resorts - Hakuba/Karuizawa/Niigata
Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
(92) • 1K+ booked
€ 388.35
Retail: € 429.10
Nagano to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
€ 44.45
Tokyo to Iiyama - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
€ 46.95
Iiyama to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Instant confirmation
€ 46.95
Hotels in Shimotakai
From
€ 94.1
From
€ 132.43
From
€ 88.93
€ 91.33
From
€ 483.77
From
€ 117.63
€ 121.86
From
€ 239.36
From
€ 65.74
From
€ 191.65
From
€ 338.36
From
€ 116.61
From
€ 60.83
From
€ 95.41
Reviews of Shimotakai activities
Klook User
2026-10-10 21:18:57
Carp did a great job being a guide for this day tour I went on. She is interactive and knowledgeable. However, at the beginning it was a bit of a shaky start regarding of the free admission to the monkey park of the tour when we were advised that it wasn't included and there were few people queried it. But Carp was professional handling it, contacted the head office and 100% confirmed this tour includes free admission to the park. Other than that the tour went pretty well. For those who want to take part of this tour, bring your own lunch or snacks before the tour due to tight schedule and you can eat it on the bus. Be prepared to do lots of walking but you will enjoy it in the end.
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
2026-10-22 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! 🇯🇵
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.
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
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.
Shimotakai at a glance
Quick facts about Shimotakai
General info
What to know before visiting Shimotakai
What to do in Shimotakai
Shimotakai is a compact outdoors-and-tours destination whose busiest months cluster in winter. Top booking categories are Tours, Outdoor & sports activities and Cable cars, with Tours leading visitor choices across the year. Klook booking data show demand peaks in January–March and again in December, so many travellers arrive for winter scenery and activity-driven itineraries then. For travelers deciding when to visit, pick between lively winter months for atmosphere or the very quiet summer months for lower crowds — Klook booking data.
Best time to visit Shimotakai
Demand spikes in February and remains high across January and March, while the quietest period falls in August: Klook historical booking data mark February as the peak month and August as the trough. Prices move through the year too: the dataset shows the priciest month is May and the lowest median price in July, so crowds and prices don't always match — winter has high demand but mid-year prices can be higher. For fewer crowds and lower typical prices choose July or August; for peak-season atmosphere aim for January–March or December.
| Month | Demand Level | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak demand | USD 132 |
| February | Peak demand | USD 120 |
| March | Peak demand | USD 122 |
| April | About average | USD 156 |
| May | Very quiet | USD 189 |
| June | Very quiet | USD 118 |
| July | Very quiet | USD 116 |
| August | Very quiet | USD 149 |
| September | Very quiet | USD 155 |
| October | Very quiet | USD 133 |
| November | Very quiet | USD 140 |
| December | Busier than usual | USD 137 |
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 show Kijimadaira as the most affordable district with a typical nightly rate of around USD 197, while Nozawaonsen sits at the top end with about USD 255 per night; that represents roughly 23% higher typical prices in Nozawaonsen compared with Kijimadaira. The pricier end tends to suit travellers prioritizing a premium stay and resort-style amenities, while the more affordable district suits budget-conscious travellers and those happy to trade hotel cost for savings on other parts of the trip. These Klook booking figures help set realistic expectations when choosing where to stay.
Tips for travellers from the United States
Most travellers from the United States book experiences on Klook about 8 days ahead, while early planners secure things roughly 24 days out. That means you should plan ahead rather than rely on last-minute booking, especially for peak months (January–March and December) when demand is highest. For flexibility many experiences remain bookable close to travel—Klook also shows last-minute options around 2 days before travel—but locking in bookings earlier reduces risk in busy months. Use Klook to compare typical prices and secure tours or outdoor activities in advance.
FAQs about Shimotakai
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