Nagano Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Temple

Explore Nagano’s historic Zenko-ji Temple, savor sake, and witness snow monkeys in their natural habitat on this guided full-day tour.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Zenko-ji Temple - As one of Japan’s oldest, largest, and most significant Buddhist temples, Zenko-ji serves as the spiritual center of Nagano. With a history spanning nearly 1400 years, the temple is steeped in legend and myth, which your guide will help unravel as they lead you through the temple grounds, followed by some free time (if time…
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • All Tolls & Taxes
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Entry tickets less than $10
  • Enter/Admission - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park less than $10
Additional Information

Set off on a full-day private excursion from Tokyo to Nagano in a luxurious, air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by an English-speaking driver-chauffeur. Discover the renowned Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and the historic Zenko-ji Temple, with optional visits to Obuse, Shibu Onsen, or Nishimon Nagano. Benefit from door-to-door service, bottled water,…

Location
Zenko-ji Temple
I-491 Nagano Motoyoshicho
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(24 Ratings)
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1 star
Peteriwanicki
Oct 29, 2025
Snow Monkey Park - Very good Vicky was very nice and accommodating. Gave us everything we needed and always asked us for any options. Went to temple and soba noodles.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X8868xlcarols
Oct 27, 2025
If you want a tour guide who will take you where you want to go, choose Vicky! - Vicky gave good advice to leave early to avoid the traffic. Vicky arrived earlier than are scheduled meeting time! It was a beautiful drive and he offered to stop if we wanted to coffee or breakfast. He dropped us off at the entrance to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and it was a beautiful walk up to the hot springs area where the monkeys come down during the daytime. The caretaker of that area throws out pellets of food to the monkeys, so there were probably 50 or more monkeys coming down from the trees scurrying to get the food. We observed all ages of monkeys! They were grooming each other and at times the baby monkeys were nursing, a few were in the hot springs, some were fighting briefly and others were drinking from the hot springs. We really enjoyed observing their numerous behaviors. Some were just sitting from above observing. They didn’t seem to be bothered by all the tourists, who I observed to be not loud and respectful. I noticed that one could walk further and there was a daily onsen in the area, so if that interests you, inquire about it beforehand, so you can come prepared and allow time for that. Vicky told us to text him when we were 10 minutes away and he would pick us up when we were out of the park. He left it up to us where we wanted to go next and my husband and I decided we wanted to go to the Daio Wasabi Farm, even though it was 40 miles away. To get to the monkey park took about 3 1/2 hours, but we chose to sit in the car for another hour. Vicky was willing to wait if we wanted something to eat or drink at the monkey park. We enjoyed the wasabi farm. It was interesting to see and one could choose how much walking one wanted to do there. There was a store that carried all kinds of wasabi products, but we discovered the store just a short way from the farm had better prices. I am not sure if they had as large of a selection. Also, the farm had a cafe and sold ice cream. We chose to share the one with a small amount of fresh wasabi on top. Also, on the drive, we observed many apple trees, grape vines, rice patties and other farm fields. The store outside the farm sold apples and other fresh produce! It was a long drive back for Vicky and he offered to take us someplace else if we wanted. We chose not to make him stop another place. By the time we got back, it was a 12 hour day, but well worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jadekuc
Oct 17, 2025
Nagano and Zenkoji Temple - This was a nice day trip outside of Tokyo. The drive was 4 hrs going to Nagano and 4 hrs back depending on rush hour traffic. We didn’t see the snow monkeys since it’s not winter yet but it was still scenic and a beautiful city. We stop by Zenkoji Temple after, less crowded than in other temples in Japan. Our guide Vicky was very pleasant and respectful. He accommodated our needs if we need rest stop/food, very accommodating and made sure we were comfortable in the car. Vicky took couple of our pictures at the sites and showed us around, and some history of the temple. I definitely would recommend this day trip if you need a break from Tokyo’s hustle and bustle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pathfinder657959
May 24, 2025
Flexible! - Unfortunately no monkeys for us but we took a detour to obuse instead before going to Zenkoji temple. So happy with the flexibility of the driver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
887kylea
May 24, 2025
Enjoyable day in Nagano - Wonderful tour. Went to Snow Monkey Park, Obuse, and Zenko-Ji. Enjoyed everything quite a bit. Vicky was a wonderful guide. Explained the area very well, easy to work with, and communicated well with us ahead of and during our tour. I hope to return to Nagano to stay longer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape213698
Oct 16, 2025
Nagano monkeys - Not enough time in the day to drive from Tokyo to Nagano and then to also make the other stops included in the tour. It took 4 hours to drive to where the monkeys were and then 4 hours to drive back to Tokyo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zhanna_a
Nov 13, 2025
No help driver - Nice park to visit but driver should be able to give you information to what place you should go first on itinerary and what place you should visit 2nd based on location. Our driver was asking us knowing that we don't have idea where this places.
Review provided by Viator
Lori_h
Nov 23, 2025
Unprofessional experience. - Worst experience ever. Booked a private tour for the family. We did not receive a tour instead we were provided a driver who didn’t even introduce himself. Said less than 200 words to us the entire day and was mad at us for the fact that he picked us up 45 minutes late and we did not following his timetable. Driver sent harsh text meaaages that we were late when he never told us a time and didn’t give us additional time due to his mistakes. What is worse is at the last stop he waited in the car while he could have gotten gas and drinks for himself. Instead he was hounding us to get back to the car and then he went to the store and left us sitting in the car. Further frustrating is he stopped to get gas after we were in the car instead of using all our time wisely. Completely surprising behavior to experience in Japan. Driver didn’t provide water even though it was to be included in the price of the tour and didn’t share any information about the region we were in. I would warn you to stay away from the tour guide but I don’t know his name.
Review provided by Viator
Valerie_j
Sep 20, 2025
Car trouble ruins trip - Private tour with driver from Tokyo to Nagano. The car broke down on the way back. The driver, Ardeel, was helpful in trying to make sure I made it safely via train but it certainly was not the trip I paid to have. Waiting to see if the company will do the right thing and refund the latter half of the trip
Review provided by Viator
Darekdarpol
Aug 7, 2025
They do not tell you this... - They do not tell you this: when there is either rain or extreme heat, it is impossible to see the Snow Monkeys. They are just hidden, nowhere to find. The tour operator contacted me a day before our trip and inform me that due to very high temps 95-100F we have an extremely little chance to see them. I did not want to spend several ours in the car for nothing. They offered other tours instead. But we were at the end of our Japan trip and already experienced all these places. So, the tour operator instructed us to cancel our booking for a full refund. I confirmed with them that we are getting a full refund. I was happy, that they value customer so I did cancel online booking as instructed. But because the cancelation happened in less than 24 hrs before the trip, the Tour Wholesaler refused the refund. And then the same tour operator refused to assist us in this matter. So basically, it is a trap. It is extremely possible that this trip will end with a disaster when booked during June, July and August months. And this is not a cheap excursion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $522 (Per Group)
up to 12 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).