Autumn (Sep-Nov) at the Jigokudani Monkey Park
Autumn is a delightful time at the Jigokudani Monkey Park and throughout Nagano. Though the temperature is likely to remain high during September, the humidity of summer will be gone leaving us with hot days, that quickly cool to lovely warm days. On this page you will find the following information:
— Snow Monkey Park Operating Hours in Autumn
— September in the Snow Monkey Park
— October in the Snow Monkey Park
— November in the Snow Monkey Park
— Autumn Tours at the Monkey Park and More!
— 25 Things to Do Around the Park & Where to Stay
As September turns to October, the landscape begins its transformation of color. Turning from October until well into November, the autumn leaves of Nagano are a truly spectacular sight. Also a time of harvest, Nagano’s rice is being cut and collected from the fields while apples are being picked from the orchards. We simply can’t recommend autumn enough!
For information regarding opening times, entry tickets and access please refer to our ‘Snow Monkey Park Information’ page, while our ‘The Snow Monkey FAQs’ page answers the most common questions when planning a visit. For a glimpse of what to expect in autumn, continue reading on for more information and pictures.
SNOW MONKEY PARK OPERATING HOURS IN AUTUMN
The Jigokudani Monkey Park operating hours are not the same year round, so it is very important to make sure that you double check the hours before visiting. The operations are split into two main periods, the green season of April – October, and the winter season of November – March. As Autumn is composed of the months of September through November, you can see that the season is actually is split between the two periods. The green season operations are 08:30 – 17:00, while the winter season is 09:00 – 16:00. Because of this, if you visit in November you will need to abide by the winter season rules, while if you are making your trip in September or October you will have the longer green season hours. Please note that the park hours are subject to change on any given due to extreme inclement weather or other events which interfere with park operation. Additionally, the date of switchover between the two operation periods may not always coincide exactly with the first day of the month.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN AUTUMN
Autumn is a time of abundance. With the forest full of wild fruit, nuts and more, the monkeys are their happiest. It is also mating season, so they are well and truly preoccupied. As a result, there are days in the autumn when the monkeys might not come. But this is rare. It is more likely that they will come to the park later than usual. When visiting in autumn, it’s a good idea to aim for the middle of the day – from 11AM to 3PM – just in case the monkeys feel like coming later and planning to spend a little longer there to accommodate their monkey schedule.
Days are likely to remain warm until well into November but temperatures can drop quickly. Dress for warm days but with a jacket and sweater that will keep you warm if there’s a sudden change. Autumn is typically dry, making the walk to and from the park along the forest trail really enjoyable. As always, we recommend good quality footwear and it is always worth be prepared for the walk to the park in winter.
Located at the bottom of the Snow Monkey Park Trail, an area that the majority of visitors to the park will pass, is the Snow Monkey Resorts Info & Gift Shop. Although the building is small, a large variety of items are for sale including monkey plushies, snacks, bath bombs, tote bags and more. Make sure to stop in on your way back if you would like to bring a piece of your travels back home with you.
Further down the hill and nearby the bus stops, Hotarutei offers visitors the nearest fine-dining experience to the monkey park Housed in a converted 170-year old farmhouse.
From September to November there will be a huge variation in temperature. Expect temperatures of between 20°C to 30°C to begin – thankfully, without the humidity of summer – before late-October and into November bringing daytime highs of between 10°C to 15°C . Usually sunny with big blue skies, this is a lovely time of year to visit. For information regarding other seasons in the monkey park, please refer our ‘Snow Monkey Park Throughout the Year’ page.
SEPTEMBER IN THE SNOW MONKEY PARK
While September will be cooler than summer, the leaves will still be lush and green. Thanks to the cooler weather, especially near the end of the month, you are likely to see more monkeys taking a dip in the bath. September is also better than the other autumn months when it comes to the number of days the monkeys will be in the park, making it a good time for a visit.
The weather will usually be between 20-30 degrees at the high, with nightly lows around 15-20 degrees. Most days will be fine with just a t-shirt, but a light jacket may come in handy on rainy days or for early morning visits. Expect most days to be sunny, but with a slight chance of typhoon related extreme weather conditions which may result in heavy rain or at worst park closures. This is however unlikely, with most typhoons that hit Japan not heavily effecting Nagano.
Visitor numbers will still be relatively low, as you can see in the above photo taken at the park. With free reign to move where you want, it is a great time to get the perfect photo of the monkeys going about their daily routine without any obstruction. The babies from the previous spring will also be starting to find their feet and really test their luck with their older relatives.
The monkeys will also be very active in foraging as well, making September a time with a diverse array of entertaining behaviors on display. Of course, lounging around will still be practiced as monkeys know how to relax better than anyone else!
OCTOBER IN THE MONKEY PARK
October really stands out as the month that represents autumn, with cool crisp air, frequent blue skies, and beautiful fall colors on the trees surrounding the monkey park. Although October can be a month in which it is tricky to predict the monkeys behavior, the natural scenery of the mountains will be close to its peak; as such, no trip to the park is a waste even if the monkeys do not show up on that day. Expect the fall colors to be at their best around the middle to the end of the month, with variation by up to a week or more depending on the year.
Temperatures of around 15 – 25 can be expected in the daytime, with lower temperatures possible at times making a jacket, hoodie, or sweater a good investment. Nighttime lows can be down less than 5 degrees, so please take precaution if you will be staying in the area overnight and intend to walk somewhere for dinner.
Of course, the monkeys will still be in the park most of the time, and the colder weather will entice them to bathe. As they are usually busy enjoying the bounty of fruit and nuts in the mountains during the morning, visiting later in the day is the best way to ensure that you get a chance to see them. They will appear fluffier and larger than before, as they try to increase their body weight to prepare for the long winter with little to eat.
NOVEMBER IN THE SNOW MONKEY PARK
November is the point from which autumn begins to turn to winter, with the early part of the month still displaying good fall colors and decently warm temperatures and the latter half starting to get rather cold after the leaves have fallen. The monkeys will still be busy looking for food before the winter, and so they may not visit on some days, but the cold weather will drive them to the bath when they are in the park.
Temperatures between 10 – 20 at the high can be expected, but highs as low as 5 degrees are possible near the end of the month. Nighttime lows can fall below freezing, and snow is possible in November, although unlikely to stick for long. For this reason, you should expect somewhat wintery conditions from around the middle of the month, with a possibility for cold rain but also warmer sunny days.
The monkeys will continue to move about as if they don’t even notice you, focused on the task of preparing for winter and looking a little more serious than usual. November is also the mating season, and skirmishes between males will increase in number. Although these fights may involve lots of screaming and aggressive posturing, they are rarely serious and will not cause any issue for visitors at the park. Do give fighting monkeys a wide space, however, as they will of course be moving quickly and may bump into you without realizing it.
AUTUMN TOURS AT THE MONKEY PARK AND MORE!
Autumn is a time of beauty and abundance in Nagano. A final chance to enjoy the warmth of the sun before the long cold winter. So make the most of it and get exploring with these recommended activities:
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Operating year round and offering a full day itinerary including sake tasting, lunch, a visit to the historic Zenkoji Temple and of course a guided tour of the Snow Monkey Park, this day tour is the best option for anyone looking to explore Nagano with ease. Instead of worrying about catching trains or buses, you can instead ride on our tour bus with a guide who will make sure to handle all of the difficult parts for you.
Possible as a day trip from Tokyo, those looking to see a different side of Japan will definitely enjoy themselves. In Autumn, when the number of guests is low and the parks trees are changing to bright shades of red and yellow, you will have a chance to enjoy the antics at your own pace while asking any questions you think of to your helpful guide.
Private Tour
| [START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 to 17:15 ~ 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Any location in Nagano City |
| Price | ¥122,000 ~ / group |
For guests searching for a more personalized experience, we also offer private tours from a number of locations including Nagano City and surrounding ski resorts. For a full list, please look at our Snow Monkey Park Tour Page.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano & Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo | |
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| Period | March – June / September – December |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
While the route can be walked any time of year – even in winter, although you need to consider this carefully before attempting it – the Nakasendo Trail is one of Central Japan’s best experiences and one we consider best enjoyed in autumn. Commonly referred to as the ‘Nakasendo Trail’ or ‘Nakasendo Way’, this tour follows a historic route which connected Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo Period. Sections can still be walked today, with the route running through the Kiso Valley – known as the Kiso-ji – regarded as the most beautiful and pleasurable to follow, where your guide will show you the way between the preserved towns of Tsumago and Magome.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle | |
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| Period | April to November |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
Amongst the best spots to view fall colors in Nagano is Kamikochi, an alpine valley high in the Northern Alps boasting amazing views of one of Japan’s tallest mountain ranges. At the base of these mountains is the city of Matsumoto, a lovely and historical city home to Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s best original castles. Combining these two destinations, this tour makes for a great day exploring both the culture and nature that make Nagano so popular along with your friendly guide.
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
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| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
Our “1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan'” tour takes guests up to the top of Tateyama, famous for its spring snow walls but just as beautiful in autumn. The best time to visit to enjoy the colors will be late-September until late-October (depending on the weather conditions of the season), although it is a great destination to cool off in the summer when the leaves are still green as well. If you are lucky, you may spot a ‘Raicho’, or rock ptarmigan, a very special bird only inhabiting the high mountain peaks of the alps.
1 Day Tour
| [NOV 23 ONLY] 1-Day Tour: Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival & Snow Monkeys | |
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| Period | November 23 |
| Time | 11:00 – 21:00 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥28,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,300 |
Held on November 23rd, Nagano’s Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival is the largest autumn fireworks display in Japan. Dating back to 1899, the display was first held in gratitude to Ebisu – one of Japan’s seven lucky gods – and in prayer and thanks for a prosperous business harvest. Today, the fireworks attract more than 400,000 spectators – a stunning display that celebrates the passing of autumn and heralds that winter is soon to arrive. On our tour of the festival, you can enjoy a morning trip to the monkey park, a tasty lunch, and special reserved seats at the fireworks show to avoid the need to fight the crowds for a good spot.
We also offer charters to the Monkey Park (and other destinations around Central Japan) for travelers in need of transportation only.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE PARK & WHERE TO STAY
Often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking the park is only open and the monkeys only venture there in winter. While it’s true they are most famous for their winter antics, the monkeys come to the park all year round and there are just as many reasons to visit in spring, summer and autumn. Located in the beautiful rural enclave of Yamanouchi and within easy reach of Nagano City, visiting the park can be easily combined with plenty of nearby destinations and activities, as a day-trip or multi-day visit. Our ’25 Things To Do Around The Jigokudani Monkey Park & Where To Stay’ page has lots of great tips and suggestions of what’s on offer throughout the year.
