Summer in Japan is synonymous with heat, humidity, and more enticingly, festivals! While ‘matsuri’ (festivals) take place throughout the year and for countless (often obscure) reasons summer is the season in which people take to the streets to celebrate in the warm evenings. A time to come together as a community, to chat and laugh with family and friends (both old and new), eat, drink, and dance!

— Introduction to the Festival

— Accommodation for the Festival

— Tours and Charters Around Nagano

Every year in Mid-August (the date changes slightly each year), Nagano’s famous Zenko-ji Temple will play host to the annual summer ‘Ennichi Festival’ during ‘Obon’, an important period each year when the human and spirit worlds are considered to be at their closest, and a time in which Japanese pay tribute and commune with their ancestors. Visiting a temple during Ennichi is believed to bring greater luck and fortune on devotees than on other days of the year.

INTRODUCTION TO THE FESTIVAL

Over the two day festival, Zenko-ji will come to life with dancing, food vendors, and game stalls. It’s a great way to feel part of the community and sample festival staples including okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and yakisoba or trying your hand at old-school shooting galleries and other fun games! Most importantly, celebrations culminate in the performance of the traditional ‘Bon-Odori’ dance by the community, revolving around a temporary tower constructed in front of the temple. The steps are simple and someone will show you how to join in, led by singer atop the tower.

For festival-goers wanting to rest their feet and enjoy some of Nagano City’s best cuisine and drinks menu, Monzen Terrace Enya has recently opened just outside of the temple complex. Enya has quickly become a Snow Monkey Resorts favorite due to its outdoor seating and terrace, at which you can unwind in the comfortable warmth of summer evenings while soaking in the festival atmosphere with a cold drink and enticing food.

Enya prides itself for using the best of local produce and meat, with seafood sourced at markets on the nearby Sea of Japan including an indulgent menu of sashimi and sushi. With an English menu and helpful staff, Enya is the best place to enjoy the festival while tasting some of the best food and drink that Nagano has to offer!

ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FESTIVAL

Should you wish to stay overnight in Nagano – a recommendation when attending the festival given the crowds headed to and from the station – we also recommended Hotel Kokusai 21, Nagano’s premier accommodation for international visitors. With an established reputation for catering to the needs and expectations of international visitors, Kokusai 21 offers guests pickup and drop-off at nearby JR Nagano Station, Western-style rooms and facilities, a range of both Japanese and international restaurants, and English-speaking staff to assist you with your needs both in Nagano and for your onward journey.

Full-service

International Hotel

Hotel Kokusai 21
Area	NAGANO CITY & TOGAKUSHI
Type	Hotel
Feature	24 Hour ReceptionBar/LoungeConcierge ServicesEnglish-SpeakingFamily RoomsFree WifiPrivate BathroomRestaurantRoom ServiceShuttle ServiceToursWestern Rooms
Price	JPY8,000 ~20,000 / pp

Conveniently located between the station and Zenko-ji Temple, Kokusai 21 is ideally located for guests wanting to enjoy the best of the festival within easy walking distance of their accommodation. It is our recommendation when visiting Nagano City and in particular, this August when joining in the celebrations of Ennichi.

TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND NAGANO

As Nagano’s No.1 tour operator, we are proud to offer multiple tours that combine a visit to the Snow Monkey Park with other fun local activities. No matter the season, we can help you make the most of your time in Nagano. Whether with your family or friends, or on your own, we are sure to have something that suits your needs!

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji 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.

With the first half of the tour complete, you will then depart for the Monkey Park on our private tour vehicle. Once you have arrived your guide will lead the way up to the place the Monkeys call home, before you once again board the bus and return to your starting destination.

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen
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

For those guests coming in the Winter, we also offer the “1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen“, combining exciting snow activities such as sledding and riding snow scoots with a visit to the Monkey Park. Lunch is also included, making for the perfect day trip for anyone looking to experience what winter in Nagano is all about!

1 Day Tour

[Spring Only] 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano
Period	April
Time	09:35 – 17:30/18:30
Meeting Place	Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

Another unforgettable tour is our “1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Cherry Blossoms in Nagano“. Including two of Japan’s most amazing natural spectacles, the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms and the hot-spring loving monkeys of Jigokudani, this offering is the easiest way to enjoy a relaxed spring day in Nagano.

Private Tour

[START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:00 to 17:15 ~ 18:30
Meeting Place	Any location in Nagano City
Price	¥122,000 ~ / group

For those who want a more customized experience, we also offer private tours of the Snow Monkey Park and nearby attractions such as Zenkoji Temple. For more information, please click the link above or send us an inquiry describing your ideal itinerary.

CHARTER A VEHICLE TO THE SNOW MONKEY PARK!

For those interested in private charter services, we would be pleased to provide a vehicle and propose an itinerary to suite your needs! Please see our charter page and send us your trip details so we can can start planning your journey together.