Best Tours in Nagano
Outside of Japan’s big cities, the country is largely composed of beautiful mountains and quaint rural environments. While “The Great Outdoors” is not always the first thing that comes to mind when travelers think of Japan, it definitely should be. With great mountains, lakes, beaches, rivers, and forests easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country, and with a great diversity of climates, few destinations can offer so much with such easy access. Nagano stands as the best example of this – located in Central Japan and close to some of the largest cities in the country, it nevertheless maintains a wild air and offers travelers a respite from the city crowds.
— Where to Stay When Visiting Nagano
As Japan’s 4th largest prefecture, Nagano has a lot to do. While there are no major cities, the two largest cities (Nagano and Matsumoto) offer a huge number of museums, eateries, bars, and cultural attractions, while the smaller cities and towns throughout the prefecture each have their own appeal, with beautiful scenic vistas on full display from essentially anywhere you go. Some of Japan’s most famous international attractions are also to be found here, such as the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Kamikochi. For all of these reasons and more, we consider Nagano to be a must-visit if you want to see the full range of attractions Japan has to offer. For more information on tours in the area, continue reading below!
WHERE IS NAGANO PREFECTURE?
Located in the exact middle of Japan, Nagano is one of the largest prefectures in Japan and one of the few which is landlocked. Composed mostly of mountains with only a few small areas of flat land, each region of Nagano has a distinct culture with various local foods, attractions, and historical sites. Stretching almost from coast to coast, and taking at least 3+ hours to drive across on the expressway, some parts of Nagano may be hard to access; but in general it has good connections to several major cities, with multiple options for direct train access from Tokyo and Nagoya, as well as Kanazawa. Also boasting some of Japan’s tallest mountains and best alpine scenery, Nagano is a great place to go to escape from the city without needing to spend too much time on transport.
BEST TOURS IN NAGANO
Based in Nagano City, Snow Monkey Resorts has expanded our range of tours across the country but we still hold a special love for Nagano. With a large number of tours on offer in the area, we are sure that we have something that will pique your interest. Most of our tours offer multiple pick up points at easy to reach locations, and by using the fantastic bullet train (shinkansen) system some of our tours are even possible as a day trip from Tokyo. In the following section, we will describe each of these tours in depth along with an explanation of their optional meetup points and other relevant information.
— Tours From Nagano to Surrounding Areas
While exploring all that Nagano has to offer would take more time than most travelers have to spend, taking a few of our tours is the best and easiest way to make the most of your time here. With all tours including transport on a private tour vehicle, joining a tour also saves you the difficulty of using public transport to reach destinations which are not accessible by train or have only infrequent service.
DAY TOURS IN NAGANO
From relaxing with the Snow Monkeys to hiking the Nakasendo trail, our day tours around Nagano are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a fun day with a friendly, English speaking guide. Regardless of the tour you choose, we will have you to your destination and back before the day is up!
Zenko-ji Temple and Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Tour / all year round
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 |
Including what is perhaps Nagano’s biggest international attraction, the snow loving primates of Jigokudani, this tour ranks amongst our most popular for good reason. Starting with a morning visit to the Zenko-ji Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples not only in Nagano but in all of Japan, you will be treated to lovely architecture and informative talks about the history of Japanese Buddhism. After the temple trip, your guide will lead to you a well-respected Sake brewery just outside of the temple grounds, with numerous types of sake to try as well as non alcoholic drinks and even miso soup on the menu. With a taste of the finer side of life still on your tongue, the next stop will be lunch, where tour guests will be treated to fine Japanese cuisine utilizing local ingredients. And last but certainly not least, you will be taken to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park! With ample time in the park to watch these silly creatures bathe, play, eat and engage in their daily antics, there is little more you could ask for in a single day.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hotel Kokusai 21, Hakuba (multiple locations, winter only)
Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi Alpine Valley Tour / April – November
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 |
Nagano is best known for it’s mountains – in summer hiking enthusiasts flock to the high peaks, and in winter ski enthusiasts come from around the world to enjoy fresh powder slow on Nagano’s slopes. Amongst all of the alpine areas in Nagano, the Kamikochi valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful, with crystal clear water flowing in its rivers and snowy peaks towering over the hiking trails. Sitting at the base of these mountains is the charming city of Matsumoto, Nagano’s cultural capital and home to Matsumoto Castle. Standing as one of Japan’s only original castles, it is a must-see for anyone interested in Japanese history or just the beauty of Japanese building design.
In this tour, you can visit both – a difficult feat using only public transport but made extremely easy on our tour. With your guide close at hand, your time in Matsumoto will teach you a lot about Japanese culture while your time in the mountains will take your breath away with the beauty of nature.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station
Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour / December – March
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen | |
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| Period | December to March |
| Time | 08:45 – 17:30/18:00 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Snow Monkey Park Area |
| Adult Rate | ¥21,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,300 |
This family friendly tour combines the two things Nagano is best known for – monkeys, and copious amounts of snow! You will begin the day by boarding our tour bus and being whisked off to Shiga Kogen, Japan’s largest ski resort. There, you will have the chance to try out many different kinds of snow toys, including sleds, snow bikes, and more. Once you have had your fill of playing in the snow, a filling lunch will be served to warm you up and prepare you for the next part of the tour – the Snow Monkey Park. Located just at the bottom of Shiga Kogen, a short drive will have you ready to start your walk into the park these furry residents call home. With winter in full swing, the snow will be deep and the monkeys will be in the bath, completely relaxed even with people standing mere feet from them. Doable from Tokyo as a day trip, this tour is a great way to get your fill of snow if you are doing a winter trip to Japan.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
Traditional Igloo “Kamakura” Festival & Snow Fun Activities Tour / January – February
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Traditional Igloo “Kamakura” Festival & Snow Fun Activities | |
| Period | January to February (On Weekdays Only) |
| Time | 9:30/ 10:40 – 16:35 / 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Iiyama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥14,900 |
Kamakura are traditional igloo-like houses that are built in the snowy regions of Japan. From the last week of January through the end of February, the rural town of Iiyama hosts “The Kamakura Village” festival, where about 20 Kamakura, each of them 3 meters tall, are built each year by the local community. It is also important to mention that the Kamakura transform into restaurants during the festival period, where guests may enjoy a local specialty hot pot inside of each of the snow huts!
As one of the major local snow festivals in Nagano, it is a great way to have a traditional winter experience! It is definitely recommended for those who have planned a ski trip to the Nagano area, and also for those who are staying at major tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Kanazawa. This festival is easily accessible by getting on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train), making it part of an ideal itinerary for all traveling to Japan during the winter season.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Iiyama Station
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour From Nagano / April to June
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route | |
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| Period | April to June |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
The Northern Japanese Alps feature scenery that seems like it is straight out of a nature documentary. From Spring to Autumn, the area has something different but equally spectacular for each season. In spring the snow wall, which can reach 20 meters(about 65 feet) is a marvel, and the top of the mountain is a snow covered wonderland. From June most of the snow melts and leaves the beautiful Alpine scenery. Fall dyes the mountains in brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. On the Snow Wall Tour, you will start at Nagano Station(or Hotel Kokusai 21) and get on one of our buses to the beginning of the Alpine Route, Ogizawa. It is from this station that you will ascend the mountain by a variety of methods. There is a trolley bus, cable car and ropeway. All of them provide excellent views, especially the Tateyama Ropeway, which is 1700 meters long. The final destination of the tour is Murodo. At this peak we will walk along the snow walls and then explore the snow fields where you can catch good views or even have a snowball fight.
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Green Season Tour / June – October
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 |
While the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is best known for its spring snow walls, the area is still attractive even after the snow has melted away. From June through the October, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Northern Alps, and hike around without snow slowing you down. Additionally, come autumn, a range of bright fall colors will be on full display – even though there are no trees at the summit, the bushes and grasses of the peak will turn fiery shades of red and orange, much to the delight of visitors. The other benefit of coming after the snow walls have melted is that the crowds will be greatly lessened, and you are more free to move at your own pace and enjoy nature in solitude.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
Walk on the Old Nakasendo Trail / April – June, September – November
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 |
Running from April through to June, with a short break in July and August to avoid the summer heat, and resuming from September to November, this tour is great for those who want to combine a great hike with a cultural experience. Once one of the main thoroughfares for traveling throughout Japan, the Nakasendo today is a little quieter but still draws visitors looking to walk its well trodden path. Along the way, guests on this tour will have the chance to see Tsumago and Magome, two post towns which preserve the look and feel of Japan in the days of the Samurai, and also have a number of tasty delicacies as a reward for undertaking the hike. 8 km in total, and with lots of ups and downs, this hike is not super strenuous but does require guests to be in good physical condition. Nonetheless, the walk adds a lot to the experience as you find yourself stepping on cobblestones laid down under the order of the Shogun centuries ago.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station
Cherry Blossom and Snow Monkey Tour / April only
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano | |
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| Period | April |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:30/18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Operating by necessity only in April, this tour brings you to the Snow Monkey Park as well as to see the blooming cherry blossoms. Using our local knowledge, we change the cherry blossom viewing area as necessary each day to ensure our guests get to see the blossoms at as close to their best as is possible. Rather than searching on your own, why not leave it up to us? With a visit to the Monkey Park included this is a great way to enjoy the spring season, and is even possible to do as a day trip from Tokyo if you use the Shinkansen to reach Nagano. As the blossoms in Nagano bloom later than Tokyo, this is a great way to get to see them even if you missed the season in Tokyo.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
1-Day Tour Of Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:15 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
Operating year round, this tour starts with a morning visit to the historic Matsumoto Castle and a walk through the charming downtown of Matsumoto. Ranked as one of Japan’s most livable cities, you will get a sense for the peaceful but fun atmosphere which pervades Matsumoto. Getting back on the tour bus, the group will head to Narai-juku, south of Matsumoto in the Kiso Valley. One of the best preserved post towns in all of Japan, there are over 1 kilometer of traditional buildings, making it feel as though you have traveled back in time. Enjoy tasty snacks, local crafts, and entry to an old home while your guide answers all of your questions.
Pick Up Location: Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
Soba and Shrines in Togakushi Tour / July – November
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Togakushi Legends Tour: Hands-on Soba Noodles, Ninja Village, and Hidden Shrines | |
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| Period | July to November |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:20 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Information Board |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
While Nagano’s most famous Buddhist spiritual site may be Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano City, the city houses another site of almost equal importance to Shinto, Japan’s native religion – Togakushi. Located high in the mountains just a short distance from downtown Nagano, this area is as beautiful as it is mysterious. Home to some of Japan’s best soba, you will have a chance to try your hand at making this noodle dish at a local shop, before sitting down to enjoy the soba you just created! Togakushi has still more to offer with its Ninja tradition dating back centuries, today honored by several Ninja museums that are great fun for people of all ages. The main attraction, however, is the shrines of the mountain, set amidst primeval forests that appear as though they came right out of a Japanese fairy tale. Even if you aren’t spiritual, you are sure to feel something when surrounded by ancient and wizened trees, dwarfing the pilgrims walking the trail.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station
Fruit Picking and Rafting in the Tenryu Riverlands Tour / April – November
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Tenryu River-Rafting & Fruit-Picking | |
| Period | late-April to November |
| Time | 8:00 |
| Meeting Place | Matsumoto Station |
| Price | ¥135,000 ~/ Group |
Perfect for those looking for excitement and hands on activities, our 1-Day tour of the Tenryu Riverlands includes fruit picking, a tasty local lunch, and an afternoon of rafting on one of Nagano’s most famous rivers. Known for its fruit production, southern Nagano is one of the top places in Japan when it comes to the number of grape and apple orchards. The ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes are particularly famous globally and grow well in the climate provided by the Ina Valley. Blueberries, peaches, and more round out the rest of the year, with something always available from April through November. Beyond just providing a great place for fruit orchards, the Tenryu River also makes a great spot for rafting, with white waters, calm patches, and stretches of beautiful gorges surrounded by high rock cliffs. The rafting here is just exciting enough to be fun, while also easy enough for anyone to do – no experience is needed and the whole family can enjoy a day cooling off in the waters of Nagano.
Pick Up Locations: Matsumoto Station
OVERNIGHT TOURS IN NAGANO
Sometimes, you can’t enjoy everything a spot has to offer in just one day. Luckily, we offer a number of overnight tours to remedy that issue, and provide our guests with even more than just a days worth of exciting activities. Make sure to book ahead of time, as overnight tours require scheduling for accommodation and are more likely to book out than day tours.
Overnight Shukubo Pilgrim’s Inn Tour / all year round
2 Day Tour
| Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour with ‘Shukubo’ Stay | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 12:15-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥33,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥26,800 |
Based around the 1,400 year old Zenko-ji Temple, this tour includes a stay at a Shukubo, or pilgrim’s inn, one of many to be found around the temple serving the needs of religious visitors. However, one does not need to be Buddhist to book a room and the experience is open to anyone regardless of their religion. With a guided walk around the temple on the first day by one of our friendly guides, you will check into your traditional Japanese room for the night once everything is finished. The Shukubo will provide you with both dinner and breakfast, and if you choose you may partake in an optional morning ceremony experience early on the second day. Perfect for those with an interest in Buddhism or just Japanese religion in general, there is no better way to get close to the temple and its ancient traditions.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station
2-Day Shukubo, Samurai, and Snow Monkeys Tour / all year round
2 Day Tour
| 2-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Samurai Experience & Zenkoji ‘Shukubo’ Stay | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | Day1: 11:45-17:45 Day2: 09:55-17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥48,000 ~ |
This action packed tour will combine Nagano’s nature, religion, and military history into 2 full days of activities. On the first day, you will be greeted by your guide around lunch time and led to Matsushiro, now a quiet town but once the center of samurai power around Nagano city. There, after visiting a few historic buildings once owned by famous samurai, you will enter into the preserved Bunbu Military School, where children once studied various martial arts. There you will have a chance to do some martial arts practice of your own under the watchful eyes of the experienced sensei who will be teaching you.
Heading back to Nagano, the first day will be complete as you check into your shukubo and get ready for dinner and bed. The next morning, you will partake in our tour of Zenko-ji Temple and the Snow Monkey Park, with sake tasting and lunch included. After seeing the Snow Monkeys, our bus will return you to Nagano Station to complete the tour.
Pick Up Locations: Anywhere around Nagano City
Snow Monkey Tour with Luxury Villa Stay / all year round
2 Day Tour
| 2-Day Snow Monkeys & Nagano Cultural Tour inc. Luxury Villa Stay | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | (Day 1) 09:35 – 16:30 (Day 2) ~11:00 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥95,000 |
For those looking to enjoy a little luxury, this package tour adds an overnight stay at Hotarutei Villas, a luxury private villa based hotel located only minutes walk from the Snow Monkey Park trailhead. Starting the same way as the 1-Day Snow Monkey Park and Zenko-ji Tour, you will be treated to a guided walk at the temple, sake tasting, lunch, and a trip to the Monkey Park. Where this tour differs is that instead of riding the bus back to Nagano that night, you will instead check in to Hotaritei Villas with the help of your guide and enjoy a tasty Japanese dinner before retiring to your own private villa with an attached onsen bath. The next morning, our bus will arrive to pick you up and bring you back to Nagano Station, where the tour is complete and you are free to continue on your way.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hakuba (Winter Only)
2-Day Rafting Tour in the Tenryu Riverlands / April – November
2 Day Tour
| 2-Day Tour: Tenryu River-Rafting, Local BBQ & Tea-Picking Experience inc. Hot Spring Hotel | |
| Period | mid-May – September |
| Time | Day1: 12:30-21:30 Day2: 10:00-16:20 |
| Meeting Place | Tenryukyo Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥50,000〜 |
Perhaps our most exciting tour, this fun 2-Day offering includes good food, relaxing onsen, whitewater rapids and more. Starting at Tenryukyo Station, far in the south of Nagano and right alongside the Tenryu River, your guide will first escort you to your hotel to put away your bags. From there, you will have a 3 hour rafting experience (including time for changing, transport to the starting point, etc…) through beautiful gorges with exhilarating rapids. After some time to bathe in the onsen and relax, your guide will meet with you again to head out for the nights dinner, a barbecue consisting of local ingredients where you can grill your own meat!
The next morning, you will take a traditional Japanese boat further down river, before picking and brewing your own tea in one of Japan’s most isolated villages. From there, you can return to Tenryukyo or head on to Nagoya with ease. Make sure to let your guide know where you are going and they will assist you with getting the correct train.
Pick Up Locations: Tenryukyo Station
Tours From Nagano to Surrounding Areas
While Nagano has a host of attractions inside its borders, it also provides easy access to other famous attractions in nearby prefectures. We also offer tours visiting these locations and starting from Nagano, making it easy to use Nagano as a base from which to explore the wider Central Japan region.
1-Day Tour to Kusatsu Onsen and Mt. Asama / April – November
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Unwind in Kusatsu Onsen | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,500 |
With two options for pick up within Nagano Prefecture, this tour will take you a little ways out of the borders of Nagano and into Gunma Prefecture, home of Kusatsu Onsen. Easily described as one of the best onsen towns in all of Japan, Kusatsu is a must visit for anyone who wants to try bathing in Japan’s famed hot spring waters, or just soak in the atmosphere. Defined by volcanoes and their thermal power, you will also have a chance to visit two of Japan’s best volcanoes – Mt. Asama and Mt. Shirane. With a chance for a guided walk at each, you will understand more about where the onsen get their heat and healing minerals from.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station and Karuizawa Station
1-Day Tour of the Ashikaga Flower Park and Local History / March – November
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Colors of the Season at Ashikaga Flower Park | |
| Period | March – October |
| Time | 07:50 – 19:00 / 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station / Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥29,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥17,900 |
Japan is famous for its gardens, and the Ashikaga Flower Park demands a spot amongst the best. Although not traditionally Japanese, it is home to a huge variety of flowering plants and speaks to the love many in this nation hold for gardening. Developed in such a way that something is always blooming from Spring through Autumn, the park is most busy during the wisteria season in late April. Huge and very old, the wisteria here is on another level and is likely above anything most people have ever seen. After a stroll in the garden, a trip to the nearby Ashikaga Gakko, Japan’s oldest school, and the Orihime Shrine which boasts a beautiful view over the city below.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station and Karuizawa Station
PRIVATE TOURS AND CHARTERS
PRIVATE CHARTERS
If you are looking for transportation to/from major destinations, our company is happy to help! Our buses are based in Nagano City and have vehicles that suitable for single travelers, couples, families and groups of up to 45 people. Click here to browse some of our popular charters and to inquire directly.
PRIVATE TOURS
In addition to providing transportation, we can also accommodate your tour needs by providing guides with the itinerary of your choice. If there are tours that you want us to conduct or if you want to adjust our current tours to your needs, feel free to contact us. There are a number of private tours already on our website that allow you to enjoy our tours without the stress of having to worry about other guests, so check those out, too. Please click here to make an inquiry.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING NAGANO
One thing that cannot be skipped over when planning a vacation is accommodation. It can be a hassle to book hotels and find availability, and it takes a little fun away from the vacation planning. At Snow Monkey Resorts, we have a large collection of partner hotels throughout Nagano, and all you need do is inquire with your preferred dates and group size and we can get working on a pricing quote and confirm availability. We can also help you pair your hotel with some of our tours, or transport you from point to point on one of our private charter vehicles. For a full list of partner hotels in Nagano, please click here. If you would like to further filter the area, the area options on the left hand side of the screen will allow you to do so in order to receive more tailored results.
