2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

Situated between the popular destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, the mountainous of region of Nagano is the literal heart of Japan and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This tour combines some of the region’s most iconic destinations – including the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, the 1400-year old Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, and the historic old town of Takayama – with the unforgettable experience of being driven through Japan’s Northern Alps, a place of high mountain peaks and rarefied beauty. With English-speaking guide, lunch, and full-service accommodation on Day 1 followed by hotel pick-up and transport to Matsumoto and Takayama, including hotel drop-off, on Day 2, this tour captures the history and beauty of central Japan with the convenience and comfort of one easy package.

Highlights

• Explore Zenko-ji – a National Treasure and one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan; enjoy a guided ‘sake’ tasting experience and lunch at one of Nagano City’s best restaurants; and visit the world-famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani and learn all about what makes them so unique on Day 1
• Visit iconic Matsumoto Castle – a National Treasure and one the last remaining original castles in Japan; enjoy lunch at Ishii Miso Brewery – one of Nagano’s oldest and most acclaimed miso producers – followed by a quick tour of the brewery itself; and be driven through the southern reaches of Japan’s stunning Northern Alps enroute to your final destination – Takayama, where you can explore the stunning old town on Day 2
• Including English-speaking guide and accommodation in Nagano City on Day 1; and self-guided itinerary on Day 2, with transport from Nagano to Takayama included.

Description

Your guide will meet you at Nagano Station at 09:35 (please be at the meeting point in advance of the departure time) and from there head to Zenko-ji. As a registered National Treasure, the temple is the most important cultural site in Nagano and one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in the entire country!

A place of true historic importance, full of legends and myths, you will be guided around the temple before (time permitting) your guide will give you the opportunity to explore the surrounding precinct of smaller temples, shops, and food by yourself. It’s then time for an early lunch! Depending on the time of year we use different restaurants, each serving cuisine highlighting the best of Nagano’s renowned food culture. From delicious and warming beef, chicken, or vegetarian hot pot in the winter months, to mixed sushi plates and Nagano-style chicken or seasonal grilled vegetables through spring to autumn, meals are designed to match the season and complemented with a guided ‘sake’ tasting experience, led by your guide.

Home to a huge number of breweries, Nagano is synonymous with sake and no visit to the region is complete without delving into Japan’s most famous beverage. Dip you toes into this seductive world as your guide explains the process, terminology, and appreciation of Nagano’s acclaimed sake (a non-alcoholic option is also available).

Well-fed and warmed by sake it’s time to head-out of Nagano, as you are transported to the Snow Monkey Park. Your guide will take you along the forest trail which leads to the park and into Jigokudani – rather dramatically translating to ‘Hell’s Valley’. Home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs, there are no barriers separating you from the wild monkeys, making this a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will introduce these truly curious creatures and provide you time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. Make sure to bring your camera as you’re going to need it!

By visiting the park in the afternoon when visitor numbers are lower, we aim to provide our guests with the best possible experience and more space and time with the monkeys. Your guide will then accompany back along the trail and soon have you heading back toward Nagano where the tour concludes at your accommodation, Hotel Kokusai 21.

As one of Nagano City’s most established and international hotels, Hotel Kokusai 21 is conveniently located within easy walking distance of the city’s restaurants and entertainment area, and prides itself on its many in-house services and restaurants, buffet breakfast, and English-speaking staff.

DAY 2

Your second day is self-guided and begins with pick-up at Hotel Kokusai 21, from where your driver will transport you to Matsumoto. Set against the backdrop of Japan’s Northern Alps, Matsumoto Castle is one of four original castles remaining in Japan. Constructed more than 400 years ago, the imposing yet beautiful 6-storey structure of white and black walls is commonly referred to as the ‘Crow Castle’ – a registered National Treasure.

The morning is yours to explore the castle grounds and interior – climbing all the way to sixth floor should you want to! – and the surrounding precinct of shops and restaurants. Your driver will then escort you to Ishii Miso, a miso factory where you’ll taste and learn all about the condiment. After lunch you’ll be collected by your driver and start the journey to the historic town of Takayama.

The majority of this drive is through the southern end of Japan’s Northern Alps, a stunning landscape of high mountain peaks rising above the road, rivers, and lakes below. At its heart, Japan is a mountainous country and this spectacular region is often missed by visitors using the train lines along the coast. Your driver will stop along the way, allowing you time to stretch your legs and breathe in the mountain air before heading onto your final destination, Takayama. Famous for the excellent preservation and charm of its Edo period streetscape, the black facades of Takayama’s old town buildings and narrow streets house restaurants, craft shops, sake breweries, and museums that make this town a must-see while in Japan. With drop-off at your accommodation (not included) where the tour concludes, the town is then yours to explore with dinner at one of its many gourmet restaurants and town exploration including morning market, the following day.

Takayama is a convenient end point from which to continue to explore Japan with easy access to World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go (1 hour by bus) or Toyama, Kanazawa and Nagoya (all connected by train and bus), as you continue on toward western destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima or back toward Tokyo. Central Japan is waiting for you to discover it!

MEETUP POINTS

DAY 1  /  NAGANO STATION @ 09:35

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

DAY 2  /  HOTEL KOKUSAI 21 @ 08:30

The meetup point is at the entrance of Hotel Kokusai 21. Please be at the entrance prior to the meetup time and look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The tour will need to depart on-time.

NOTES

Included

• Transportation from Nagano to all listed destinations, ending at Takayama
• Snow Monkey Park entrance fee
• Lunch on Day 1 & Day 2
• Sake tasting
• Accommodation at Hotel Kokusai 21 on Day 1 (inc. breakfast on Day 2)
• Matsumoto Castle entrance fee
• English-speaking guide on Day 1
• Driver/transport on Day 2

Excluded

• English-speaking guide on Day 2
• Dinner on Day 1 & Day 2
• Accommodation in Takayama
• Lunch for infant (0-5) – please order directly to the restaurant according to your needs.
• Shinkansen/bullet train tickets

Other Information

• This tour includes an English-speaking guide on Day 1 but is self-guided on Day 2. On the second day you will be transported to/between all listed destinations by your driver/tour vehicle. They will assist you to arrange entry tickets at the castle and show you to the miso brewery for lunch, and then leave you to enjoy these experiences for yourself.
• Please wear suitable shoes for the walking trail into the Snow Monkey Park.
• During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
• There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park. In such case we will provide an alternative activity.
• Infants (0-5) are included free of charge. No bed is provided for them in the accommodation but they are free to share with an accompanying adult.
• It is possible to extend your stay at Hotel Kokusai 21. Please send us your preferred length of stay if this is what you’re looking for.
• The tour application deadline is 2 days  before the tour date at 17:00.