Zenkoji Illumination Tour (Feb 9th, 11th)
Zenkoji Illumination Tour (Feb 9th, 11th)

LET THE LOCALS GUIDE YOU

See How the Pros Monkey about in the Snow

Give your body a break from the powder-pounded runs of Myoko Kogen, or make the most of a Bad Weather Day by visiting the memorable Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani. Come along and witness the Macaque Monkeys as they relax in the natural hot spring baths and make themselves at home in the snow-dusted forest playground.

FAQ

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions

On the Group Tour, you and our other guests will experience the tour together. We leave in the afternoon (13:00) and usually cannot take luggage with us. On the Private Tour, you will have the tour guide all to yourself! These tours also leave in the morning (up to you to decide the time), and you can bring your luggage with you. Tickets to the Monkey Park are not included with the Private Tour. There’s also a difference in pricing, with Group Tours being charged per person and Private Tours by group. 

The start time differs depending on the tour. Our Group Tour starts at 13:00. However, we ask all participants to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the tour for check-in.

Our Private Tours generally take place in the morning, but you can choose what time we leave! We recommend leaving around 8:00 or 8:30, as more monkeys will be in the onsen earlier.

The tour is around 4 1/2 hours, depending on the weather. We usually come back to Nozawaonsen around 17:30 for Group Tours, and 12:00 or 12:30 for Private Tours.

You can see the itinerary for Group Tours here and the itinerary for Private Tours here!  

We recommend booking your tour as soon as possible in order to secure your seats. While we can sometimes accept bookings the day of, availability cannot be guaranteed.

The price for an adult to join the tour will be increasing to ¥7,900 on December 16th, so there’s even more reason to book as soon as possible!

You can book online here for Group Tours and here for Private Tours! 

For Group Tours, you have the choice of being picked up at either Nozawa Onsen Chuo Bus Terminal or Iiyama Station. If you choose to be picked up at Chuo Bus Terminal, please meet us at our office at least 10 minutes before your tour time.

For Private Tours, we will pick you up at or near your hotel! You can provide your desired pickup location on the booking page

Tours From Nozawa Onsen

Have an epic adventure and see it all!
This well-versed tour itinerary is hand-stitched by locals.

Snow Monkeys bathing in the hot spring, three are huddled tightly

Guided Group Tour

13:00 Departure from Nozawa Onsen
17:30 Return to Nozawa Onsen
(Iiyama Station Pickup and Drop off also available)

Private Group Tour

8:00 Departure from your chosen location
12:30 Return to your chosen location

Tours From Myoko Kogen

Visit the world-famous Snow Monkeys, followed by an unforgettable trip to Shibu Onsen.

A snowy image of the foot bath onsen in Shibu Onsen

Guided Group Tour

13:00 Departure from Akakura
17:50 Return to Akakura
(Myoko Visitor Center Pickup and Drop off also available)

Private Group Tour

8:00 Departure from your chosen location
12:30 Return to your chosen location

Transfers and Events

Event Tours

See incredible illuminations, sakura trees at their peak, or even a traditional fire festival.
These tours often only run for a few days so make sure to check often!

Private Transfers

Van (up to 9 pax)
Commuter (up to 13 pax)
Minibus (up to 24 pax)

Why Book with us?

The original Snow Monkey tour operator

Our tours have been helping vistors make the most of their ski holidays since 2010, our wealth of experience and knowledge sets us apart.

Guided tours

Our knowledgeable tour guides will answer any questions you may have on the tour, as well as provide insights into the history of the area.

Explore Shibu Onsen

Our tours include a visit to the historic onsen town of Shibu, serene and traditional even in contrast to Nozawa Onsen. Wild monkeys sometimes roam this area too, so keep an eye out!

"We had so much fun! My kids loved seeing the monkeys up close; it's all they've been talking about! We will definitely come back next year."
~ Alvin (2023)
"The guide was very knowledgable about the park, Shibu Onsen, and the surrounding area. I think I would have missed out on many cool experiences if I had gone by myself!"
~ Yoo-Jin (2019)
"A fantastic way to spend the afternoon. Got to see both nature and history in one trip. Thank you IXSM Travel Team!"
~ Jeanette (2022)

Have more questions? Check out our Chat Bot on the bottom right of your screen or contact us for more information!