As the immediate area around Yudanaka Station, staying in Yudanaka is a convenient option for visitors using the train to and from Nagano City. Yudanaka itself is somewhat unassuming but holds an interesting history and a good range of dining options and a couple of bars and all with easy reach of some of the region’s most popular destinations including the Jigokudani Monkey Park.

Yudanaka is not as quaint as nearby Shibu Onsen however the town has some very good hotels including traditional ‘ryokan’ with indulgent hot springs. Local buses run from the station to the monkey park long with Shiga Kogen Ski Resort and the ski resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen, allowing guests staying in Yudanaka to reach nearby destinations easily and quickly. Local buses also connect Yudanaka to Joshinetsu Kogen National Park – the lower reaches of which are only 30-minutes away.

Boasting a long history as a hot spring town, Yudanaka’s story is linked to that of nearby Shibu. Only 20-minutes walk from Yudanaka, it’s worth exploring both towns on foot especially from spring and autumn during the blossoms in April and autumn leaves from October to November. Yudanaka Onsen is part of the wider Yamanouchi Area – a great place from which to explore the Snow Monkeys and nearby destinations.