From Hakuba: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park
For visitors wanting to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park from Hakuba, the journey takes around 2-hours. There is no direct public transport from Hakuba to the park meaning that you will need to first head to Nagano Station before heading onto the park, with the option of booking a tour to the park direct from Hakuba. On this page you will find the following information:
— Where is the Jigokudani Monkey Park?
— Directions to the Monkey Park from Hakuba
— Monkey Park General Information
— 25 Things to Do Around the Monkey Park & Where to Stay
— Tours and Charters from Hakuba to the Monkey Park
— Tours and Charters from Hakuba to Other Top Destinations
Hakuba is home to some of Japan’s best ski resorts, drawing visitors from all over the world each winter to enjoy Japan’s epic snow and welcoming atmosphere. As one of the main host venues of the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba is recognised for its world-class snow conditions, varied terrain, and excellent facilities – in short, there’s lots of reasons its so popular.
Outside of winter, Hakuba is increasingly known for its array of ‘green season’ sports, during which time both local and international visitors head to the mountains to escape the oppressive heat and humidity of cities and enjoy numerous pursuits. Activities including hiking, mountain-biking (MTB), rafting, canyoning, standup paddle-boarding (SUP), fishing, and other pursuits have quickly established Hakuba as Nagano’s premier adventure travel destination.
Whatever time of year that you’re in Hakuba, you may well be curious about a visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally soak in hot springs, the monkey park is one of Nagano’s most popular winter destinations. The monkeys come to the park all year round, so whether you are visiting Hakuba in winter, spring, summer or autumn, there’s always a reason to visit.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
|
| |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Much like the monkeys, we’re also here all year round! As Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, we offer a range of group tours to the monkey park and can arrange private tours and charters to match your needs. In winter, we extend our tours to include pick-up and drop-off in Hakuba, allowing guests based at the resorts there to join our award-winning Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple and Sake Tour along with other winter tours. We hope the following information helps in planning your visit to the monkeys from Hakuba and of course, if you’d like to join one of our tours or would like to enquire about a private tour or charter, we’ll be happy to assist!
WHERE IS THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK?
The Jigokudani Monkey Park – often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park – is around 85KM / 2-hours drive to the east of Hakuba and 35KM / 50-minutes to the north-east of central Nagano City. Open every day, the monkeys come to the park through the year making it one of Nagano’s most popular attractions, When heading to the park using public transport, it will be easiest to do so from Nagano Station, from where an express bus runs directly to Kanbayashi Onsen – where the park is located – or alternatively, you can take the Nagano Dentetsu railway to Yudanaka Station – the nearest train station to the park – and from there, take a local bus to the park.
Both options take around 50 to 55-minutes in total to get here. The park is located in the small hot spring village of Kanbayashi Onsen, which itself is located in the wider region of Yamanouchi – a region including the park, multiple hot spring villages, Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, the smaller ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen and Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Within easy reach of Nagano City, visiting the monkey park as a day-trip is easy while also providing lots of reasons to stay in the area on a multi-day visit.
DIRECTIONS TO THE MONKEY PARK FROM HAKUBA
From Hakuba, the Jigokudani Monkey Park can be reached in a two-step journey:
1 / Take the bus from Hakuba to Nagano Station
2 / Take another bus or train from Nagano Station to the monkey park
The ALPICO Express Bus service from Hakuba to Nagano takes approximately 75 minutes and costs JPY2,800, an easy and convenient way to make the journey from the station.
The bus operates from the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal (pictured above) with tickets available for purchase at the counter.
The bus service from Hakuba will bring you to the east side of Nagano Station. Once you arrive, you have two choices to reach the park – express bus or train:
1 / Use the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus directly from the station to the monkey park
2 / Take at train on the Nagano Dentetsu Line followed by a Nagaden local bus to the park
Starting from Nagano Station, the express bus costs JPY1,800 each way and takes 45 minutes (to the park) and 55 minutes (back from the park). In comparison, the express train from Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station takes around 45 minutes and costs JPY1290, followed by an 8 minute local bus ride, costing JPY310 – meaning that the option of an express train + local bus will cost a total of JPY1600 and take at least 55 to 60 minutes (depending on train and bus timetables). When coming from/to Hakuba, we recommend using the express bus. Not sure which option is best of you? See our ‘How To Get To the Jigokudani Monkey Park’ main page for suggestions of what works best.
1 / USING THE NAGADEN EXPRESS BUS
The Alpico Bus bringing you to and from Hakuba, operates from Bus Stop No.26 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station. The Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus operates from Bus Stop No.23, also on the east side of the station. Simply line-up for the bus and once onward you buy your ticket directly from the driver – JPY1,800 each way – and cash only. To check the bus schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagaden Express Bus Timetable’ page.
2 / USING THE NAGANO DENTETSU LINE
For visitors who do choose to use the train, you can access the Nagano Dentetsu Line platforms by entering the station via the East Entrance and walking through to the other side. Take the escalator down to ground level and out of the station via the Zenko-ji Exit. As you walk-out of the station you will see an escalator immediately to your right.
Proceed down the escalator and once at the bottom go to your left. The Nagano Dentetsu line ticket window and machines and ticket gates are approximately 50 metres ahead.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs JPY1,290. Local services from Nagano to Yudanaka are only slighter cheaper – at JPY1190 – but take substantially longer and require passengers to transfer trains. As such, we always recommend using an express service to reach Yudanaka. For the train schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable’ page.
Once at Yudanaka Station you need to jump-on a Nagaden local bus for the final leg of your journey to the park. Two local bus lines – the Kanbayashi Line and Shiga Kogen Line – head to stops nearby the monkey park. The ride is only around 8 minutes and costs JPY310 per adult and JPY160 per child.
The ride back from the park takes a little longer – around 15 minutes – due to a different route and stops. Yudanaka is a small station and the buses operate from directly outside. You can’t miss them! For the local bus schedule, please refer to our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Local Bus Timetable’ page.
MONKEY PARK GENERAL INFORMATION
Open every day of the year, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is one of Nagano’s most popular destinations. Our ‘Snow Monkey Park Information’ page has everything you need to know including opening times, prices, the park rules, FAQs and more. We hope you enjoy your visit with our favourite furry friends.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE MONKEY 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 tips and suggestions of what’s on offer and the best area to stay when visiting the monkeys.
TOURS AND CHARTERS FROM HAKUBA TO THE MONKEY PARK
Getting to the Snow Monkey Park from Hakuba is not necessarily easy – with several switchovers, you will need to make sure to pay attention to time. For those looking for an easier option, we offer multiple tours to the Monkey Park which start from Hakuba and take all of the hassle out of the trip.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
|
| |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Our most popular offering is our “1-Day Tour: Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple and Sake in Nagano“. Guests on this delightful excursion will first be treated to Sake Tasting and a guided tour of the historic Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, including lunch at a nearby restaurant. After a hearty meal, our vehicle will take you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park where you will finally get the chance to see the monkeys for yourself. With both pick up and drop off being offered from multiple destinations in Hakuba, this tour is the perfect way to take a break from the slopes and enjoy a day off from skiing or snowboarding.
Private Tour
| [START FROM HAKUBA] Private Snow Monkey Tour | |
|
| |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:30 to 17:15 ~ 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Any location in Hakuba |
| Price | ¥181,600 ~ / group |
Ideal for guests looking for a more tailored experience, and cost-effective for those traveling in larger groups, our private tour of the Monkey Park offers everything the group tour does and more. With an added stop in at Obuse Town, a charming place once home to the famous artist Hokusai, you will have even more time to learn about Japanese Culture at your own pace. Of course, you will be visiting the Monkey Park and Zenkoji as well, where your guide will offer interesting explanations about everything you want to know.
Don’t need a guide? No problem! Inquire here for availability and pricing for charter services starting from Hakuba. Possible end points include Nagano Station, Tokyo, and a number of scenic spots around Central Japan!
TOURS AND CHARTERS FROM HAKUBA TO OTHER TOP DESTINATIONS
While the Snow Monkeys are one of Nagano’s biggest attractions, they are far from the only thing this vast region has to offer! There are a number of other destinations sure to delight travelers of all ages and interests, and we are here to help you reach them.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Samurai Food & Life Tour: Oyaki, Samurai Residences, and Katana Practice | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 10:30-17:45 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Have you ever fancied yourself as a modern day Samurai? If so, why not learn how to use a sword and see the actual school where the Samurai of Matsushiro, in the south if Nagano City, once trained? Starting with a class where you can make and eat your own Oyaki, a local specialty enjoyed for millennia, and including the above mentioned Samurai Training, this tour is the perfect way to take a break from skiing in Hakuba and study a different kind of sport.
1 Day Tour
| (Special Event) Nagano’s Hidden Samurai Town & Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour | |
|
| |
| Period | February |
| Time | 10:45/12:15 – 19:40/21:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hakuba Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,300 |
If you aren’t a huge fan of cooking, but still love Samurai, we have another great tour from Hakuba that is perfect for you! Also including samurai training at a real, historic Samurai School in Matsushiro, this tour differs from the above by including a trip to the Tomyo Matsuri at Nagano City’s biggest Temple, Zenkoji. Including dinner at a nearby restaurant to rest up after swinging your sword, you will be a first person witness to the beauty of Zenkoji’s historic grounds illuminated with warm lantern light in this special event tour.
We are of course also ready to offer you a private charter or tour to and or from Hakuba. Possible destinations include, but are certainly not limited to, popular areas such as Matsumoto, Shirakawa-go, Nagano City, and more around the region. We also offer service directly to and from international airports such as Haneda or Narita, perfect for streamlining the travel experience on your ski vacation. Make sure to inquire through our ‘Charter‘ page for a response and pricing quote.
