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Winter Nagano, Snow Monkey Tour
- Nagano, Japan
- A unique experience to photograph and observe the wild Japanese macaques up close.
A small group tour limited to a maximum 7 participants.
- Price
- JPY 180,000
- Duration
- 2nights 3days
- Date
- Feb 8th, 2027、Feb 17th, 2026
Tour Concept
One of the most iconic subjects in Japan’s winter wildlife photography is the Japanese macaque, affectionately known as the “snow monkey.” This 3‑day, 2‑night journey from Tokyo takes you to Nagano, where you can fully immerse yourself in photographing these remarkable animals. On cold winter days when snow is falling, you may capture unforgettable scenes of snow-covered monkeys soaking in hot springs with serene, contemplative expressions.
This tour is designed so that you can seamlessly join our Winter Eastern Hokkaido Photography Tour afterward. If your schedule allows, we warmly encourage you to enjoy both experiences—photographing the snow monkeys and the magnificent winter wildlife of Eastern Hokkaido.
Highlights
Snow Monkey
Travel between Tokyo and Nagano is by Shinkansen, and an English-speaking guide accompanies the entire trip for your comfort and peace of mind. This tour gives you ample time to photograph the snow monkeys over the course of two days. In Nagano, you will stay at a traditional ryokan in the Yudanaka Onsen area, located near the Snow Monkey Park. After each day of photography, unwind in the hot springs and enjoy a kaiseki-style dinner prepared with local ingredients.
Itinerary
01
Tokyo / Nagano / Yudanaka Onsen
You will meet our English speaking guide at Tokyo station at 09:00am. We will take Shinkansen Bullet train to Nagano. Then be transported by private vehicle to your hotel in Yudanaka Onsen. After leaving your luggage, we will start with a walk up the trail to the Monkey park entrance gate with your camera gear and other equipment. You will enjoy to photograph or observe unique Snow monkey for a couple of hours till the park gate is closed. At night, enjoy delicious local food and a hot spring at our hotel in Yudanaka Onsen.
**We will use scheduled hotel shuttle bus for the transfer between hotel and parking of Snow monkey park.
02
Yudanaka Onsen
After breakfast, we will head to Snow Monkey Park again and spent full day for photography or observation.
03
Yudanaka Onsen / Nagano / Tokyo
After breakfast, we will head to Nagano station by private vehicle, then take Shinkansen Bullet train to Tokyo.Tour will end on arrival at Tokyo station around 12:00pm to 13:00pm.
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| From Feb 8th till Feb 10th, 2027 From Feb 17th till Feb 19th, 2027 2nights 3days |
JPY 180,000 |
| Single room supplement | JPY 15,000 |
4-6 participants
**This tour requires a minimum number of 4 participants (maximum 6 participants). Please do NOT purchase your flights until you receive confirmation that the minimum number of tour participants has been reached.
Payment:
We require booking fee of JPY50,000 per person and the final payment is due 45days prior to departure.Form of payment :
Bank transfer or credit card (Visa or Master)Inclusions:
2nights accommodationsEnglish speaking guide throughout the tour (Guide is not photography guide)
Bullet train standard reserved seat between Tokyo and Nagano
Private van between Nagano station and Yudanaka Onsen
02 Breakfasts and 02 dinners
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
Exclusive of:
International and Domestic AirfaresMeals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as laundry bills, luggage delivery service etc
Climate
In this season the warmest temperatures you can expect is 5-10°C (41-50°F), and it can go to as low as -5°C (23°F). Make sure you have layers of extra warm clothes for upper and lower body. Waterproof ski wear winter gear, snow boots or water proof trekking boots, warm gloves and thermal underwear, warm hats and ear warmers will all come handy. Visitors to Snow Monkey Park must climb 2 km (1.2 miles) one way along a mountain path that can be slippery and muddy in winter.Accommodation
Hotel in Yudanaka Onsen is Japanese style Ryokan and only offer futon-style bedding, where guests sleep on a mattress laid out on the floor with a comforter.Luggage
As we use a private van and luggage space is limited, we allow each person to bring one suitcase. If there is not enough space in the trunk for your backpack with photo equipment, you may need to keep it on your lap during the drive.Dietary Restriction
Please inform us at the time of booking. Hotels and restaurants in remote area such as Eastern Hokkaido may not be able to fulfill all requests.Note
* This tour is designed to spend enough time in Snow Monkey Park and suitable for photography. However, the guide is not photography guide.* There is no guarantee that it snows during the tour. Also, since monkeys are wild animals, it cannot be guaranteed that they will bathe in the hot springs.
* According to weather reports and local information, tour schedule may be adjusted by our photography guide on spot.
* The detailed itinerary will be sent to all participants at the same time three weeks before the tour starts.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. Jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
