[START FROM MATSUMOTO/AZUMINO] Private Snow Monkey Tour

Best known for its near-400 year old castle – one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure – Matsumoto is firmly established on the tourist trail as a must-see destination. Situated against the beautiful backdrop of the Northern Alps, this is a small and pleasant city with a thriving arts and food scene, surrounded by a beautiful rural landscape. Nearby Azumino is known for its numerous farmlands – producing some of region’s best fruit, vegetables and rice – along with burgeoning arts scene, green season sports, and lively local festivals.

As Nagano’s No1. tour and charter operator, Snow Monkey Resorts offers the convenience and flexibility of customized tours designed to suit your itinerary, needs and interests. Our vehicles and drivers are fully accredited and offer the best way to get the most out of your time in Nagano with both one-day or multiday tour itineraries available.

Starting from any location in Matusmoto/Azumino, we will pick you up from your accommodation or Matsumoto Station and drop you in your destination of choice (including luggage transport).

We’ll put together an itinerary which highlights the best of Nagano. Whether you want to explore the many attractions and activities in Matsumoto and beautiful Azumino, or head toward Nagano City and the near-1400 year old Zenko-ji Temple and then onto the famous snow-bathing monkeys of Jigokudani and deep snow of Japan’s last ski resort – Shiga Kogen – we’ve got you covered and will help you get the most out of our time in Central Japan!

What’s typically included?

The itinerary and inclusions are customizable to match your needs. We can provide:

• A one-day tour  starting from Mastumoto/Azumino to any nearby destinations
• A multiday tour starting from Mastumoto/Azumino to any regional destinations

As an example, a one-day tour (typically) includes:

• Private vehicle/driver for the day – up to 9 hours* and including luggage transport
• Private English-speaking guide for the day – up to 9 hours*
• Entrance to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park**
• Lunch 
• One morning or afternoon activity of your choice (examples are included below)

The tour cost is calculated per person (aged of 6 years and over) with infants (under 6 years of age) included free of charge. Infants are included free of charge and therefore do not receive lunch (if required, please order directly to the restaurant according to your needs).

*Longer tours can be arranged at an additional charge.
**Your customized tour does not need to include a visit to the Snow Monkey Park if it is not of interest. We are happy to arrange an itinerary tailored entirely to your needs.

The listed tour cost assumes that pick-up/drop-off is in the Mastumoto/Azumino area. If you would like to start a tour from other locations please see the private tour pages for each starting point: Nagano City, Shiga Kogen, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Madarao, Myoko and Karuizawa. We are happy to arrange other/more distant drop-off points with pricing adjusted accordingly.

Examples of popular destinations/activities to include on your tour are:

Explore the attractions of Matsumoto (All Year Round) – Duration: 1.5 hours+

Home to one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, any visitor to Matsumoto will want explore this beautiful National Treasure. Your guided will led you into the castle grounds and explain the history of the castle and why it survived when most others were intentionally taken down.

Your tour can include a visit to any destination in Matsumoto. With so much to choose from these 15 things to do in Mastumoto might pique your interest and can be easily included in your customized itinerary.

Enjoy beautiful, rural Azumino (All Year Round) – Duration: 1.5 hours+

Positioned in the bountiful valley between Matsumoto and the dramatic peaks of the Northern Alps, Azumino is a beautiful rural area known for the quality of its produce, burgeoning arts scene, and ‘onsen’ (hot spring) town.

Our article 20 things to do in Azumino includes some of the great attractions in the region, including the beautiful Daio Wasabi Farm (as pictured above), any of which can be incorporated into your customized tour itinerary.

Explore Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tasting (All Year Round) – Duration: 1.5 hours

One of the first Buddhist temples to be established in Japan,Zenko-ji is the spiritual and cultural heart of Nagano and as such, is rich in history and folk tales from its near-1400 year history. The main hall of the temple is thethird largest wooden temple in Japan and a registered National Treasure.

Zenko-ji is one of Japan’s most open and welcoming temples, offering activities including ‘Zazen’ (seated) meditation, ‘Shakyo’ (brush) meditation, and ‘Goma’ (fire prayer) services’ available to international visitors.

Be guided through the precinct and learn of its unique history followed by ‘sake’ tasting. As Japan’s second largest producer of sake, no visit to Nagano is complete without diving into the warm and indulgent world of sake. Let your guide introduce you to the best that Nagano has to offer!

Explore historic Obuse town (All Year Round) – Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Explore the picturesque town of Obuse and its remaining Edo-style buildings. Known for its historic character, chestnut delicacies and sake breweries, Obuse is most famous as home to the Hokusai Museum, showcasing the life and work of the country’s most influential artist, Hokusai Katsushika.

The world-famous artist spent some of his final years in Obuse and painted his final masterpiece here. As one of the few (if perhaps only) Japanese artist to influence Western art movements, a visit to Obuse is your chance to view and discover the masterful work of a universally acclaimed artist.

Snow Fun in Japan’s largest ski resort – Shiga Kogen (End of December – March) – Duration: 2.5 hours

Let’s face it. Skiing and snowboarding usually requires a lot of practice and first-timers spend more time on their backsides than they do on their feet! Why put yourself through that when you can enjoy a morning or afternoon of snow fun using a range of snow-specific gear – including snow scoots, sit-down skiing, sleds and tubes! – at Japan and Asia’s largest ski resort – Shiga Kogen.

Suitable for both children and adults alike, this activity is designed for everyone, whether it’s your first time in snow or you’re a seasoned veteran of the slopes*.

*This activity includes a surcharge which will be included in your quote.

Snowmobiling in Japan’s largest ski resort – Shiga Kogen (December – March) – Duration: 2.5 hours

Want to pick-up the pace and go a bit faster? Snowmobiling in Shiga Kogen is an exhilarating way to experience Japan’s largest ski resort. Led by a qualified instructor, you will first be taught how to use the equipment in a safe manner before you are lead around a circuit to enjoy the thrill of controlling your own snowmobile.

With the option of either single or tandem, this activity is a popular and fun inclusion in your winter adventure!

*This activity includes a surcharge which will be included in your quote and is subject to availability. Single ride is restricted to participants aged 13 years and above while tandem ride is appropriate for participants aged 6 years and above. Infants – below 6 years of age – are not permitted to participate in snowmobiling.

Enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms of Nagano (Spring Only) – Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Springtime in Japan is synonymous with ‘hanami’ (flower viewing) and no flower captures the Japanese spirit and essence more than the fabled cherry bloom. Known as ‘sakura’ in Japanese the stunning blossoms come into bloom each spring offering visitors one of the most spectacular experiences in Japan.

We choose different viewing sites based on where the blossoms are at their best on the day of your tour with venues ranging from the famous to local including Zenko-ji Temple, Suzaka Garyu Park, Kokugon-ji Temple and many others!

*The dates of bloom vary between seasons however is typically at its best in Nagano from the first to third weeks of April. If you would like to include this option in your tour, please let us know and we can discuss your options.

Experience the beautiful autumn leaves of Nagano (Autumn Only) – Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Located in the beautiful Matsukawa Valley, Fujiiso is nearby some of Nagnao (and Japan’s!) best venues for viewing the colored leaves of autumn. Known as ‘koyo’ in Japanese, the leaves are typically in their best through October, washing the landscape in a stunning mosaic of red, gold, amber, and yellow.

We choose different viewing sites based on where the leaves are at their best on the day of your tour with venues ranging from the famous to local including mountain trails in the Matsukawa Valley, Shiga Kogen and Togakushi.

*The dates of the leaves vary between seasons however is typically at its best in Nagano from early to late October. If you would like to include this option in your tour, please let us know and we can discuss your options.

‘Onsen'(Natural Hot Spring) Experience (All Year Round) – Duration: 1 hour

Nagano is blessed with numerous ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs) and the odd onsen-bathing monkey. But if you’re a human and would also like to experience this most Japanese of custom, we are happy to arrange a visit to a local hot spring to soak and unwind in the warm thermal waters of this ancient island country.

The private onsen is gender-mixed and has an outdoor bath including rental towels. Please note that due to the size of the hot spring bath, this activity is for a group for up to 8 people and is available for 50 minutes per a group.

Looking for another destination or activity?

Not a problem. Just get in touch by following the instructions below.

How do I book a customized tour?

Simply press the ‘REQUEST A QUOTE’ button and complete the Tour Inquiry Form with you preferred travel date, contact name and details, number of guests and details of what you would like to include in your tour.

Need some suggestions? No problem at all! We’re happy to provide some suggestions to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano. Just let us know what you’re interested in seeing or doing, and we’ll get back to you via email within 48 hours.

Why choose us?

Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Japan.

We want all of our guests have the best possible time in Nagano, so good, that we hope you’ll come back again! We love our home region and want you to love it to… we’d love to see you here in Nagano!