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Monkeys in a hot spring with steam rising from the water. 1
A building with a sign that reads 'Tourist Information Center.' 2
A monkey with a reddish face and a baby monkey sitting beside it. 3
A monkey with large, round eyes and a pink nose peeking out from a fluffy, light brown fur. 4
A group of monkeys with one adult and two juveniles, one of which is nursing. 5
By JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.

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Overview

  • Discover the best of Nagano on a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide. Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s wild snow monkeys, and observe Japanese macaques up close in their natural habitat. Seasonal highlights include adorable baby monkeys in spring, energetic young monkeys in summer, and the iconic hot spring-bathing monkeys in winter. Explore the 1,400-year-old Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples, renowned for its National Treasure Main Hall and rich cultural heritage. Stroll through Nakamise Shopping Street with a local expert and uncover the stories behind Nagano’s traditional food culture. Learn about regional specialities such as oyaki, shichimi pepper, and miso while discovering historic shops and hidden gems. Combining nature, history, and local flavours, this tour offers a deeper insight into the culture and traditions of Nagano in a single unforgettable day.

Activity location

  • Zenko-ji Temple
    • I-491 Motoyoshicho,
    • 380-0851, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Nagano Tourist Information Center
    • Kurita
    • 380-0921, Nagano, Nagano, Japan

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What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Local expert guide for the Nakamise Foodie Tour and Zenko-ji Temple visit
  • Inclusions
    Transport via public transport and/or chartered vehicle
  • Inclusions
    National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
  • Inclusions
    Monkey park admission fee
  • Exclusions
    Lunch
  • Exclusions
    Fees other than those listed in Includes

Know before you book

    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
    • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • The tour itinerary and inclusions have been revised for tours departing on or after December 1, 2026
    • The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destination
    • Depending on the number of participants, a route bus, saloon, or taxi van may be used instead. Seats on the bus may not be designated
    • This is a hard walking tour covering about 50 minutes of walking each way between the Shiga Kogen Roman Museum and Jigokudani Monkey Park
    • Observe the Japanese macaques' way of life and behaviour that vary by the season
    • The sight of Japanese macaques soaking in hot springs can be seen until around March. While it may also not be seen depending on the weather or time, etc., refunds will not be issued for this reason
    • As monkeys are wild animals, their behaviour can be unpredictable, and they cannot be fed or touched. The park may be suddenly closed due to weather or seasonal conditions, Japanese macaques' behaviour, or other reason. There may be a sudden tour cancellation in such cases. A full refund will be issued if the tour is cancelled
    • Bringing certain fruits back into some countries is prohibited. Please be sure to check on your own
    • Please note that we are unable to provide special support for those with trouble walking, or small children
    • As Jigokudani Monkey Park is situated 850 metres above sea level, temperatures are cooler than on the plain, so please participate wearing warm clothing. Also, the walking path may be frozen and slippery if there is snow in winter. Please wear winter boots or other non-slip footwear. If it is determined by the accompanying guide that cold weather measures, etc. are insufficient, customers may be recommended to rent equipment from a rental shop near Jigokudani Monkey Park. In such cases, expenses must be shouldered by customers
    • A guide from the Bonsho-no-Kai authorised guide group will be in charge of guidance in the Zenko-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street area. There will be an accompanying English-speaking guide in Zenko-ji Temple as well
    • Drivers do not work as guides

Activity itinerary

Zenko-ji Temple

  • 1h
Zenko-ji is one of Japan's renowned ancient temples with a history of about 1,400 years. Its magnificent architectural beauty and deep faith, including the Main Hall designated as a National Treasure, captivate visitors. A guide from the Bonsho-no-Kai authorised guide group will be in charge of guidance in the Zenko-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street area. There will be an accompanying English-speaking guide in Zenko-ji Temple as well.

Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
The accompanying Zenko-ji Temple Local Expert will introduce the profound charm of the temple and Nakamise Shopping Street in its entirety. This is a special opportunity for foodies to gain a deeper understanding of historical shops and hidden gems that would be overlooked without commentary from the local Expert, and to get in touch with the essence of Nagano Prefecture’s food culture.

Zenko-ji Temple Nakamisedori

  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
Free Time for Sightseeing and Lunch on your own. Take advantage of the knowledge gained from the commentary by Zenko-ji Temple Local Expert, and revisit some restaurants and foodie spots that caught your eye. This is a great opportunity to deepen your own unique Nagano culinary experience by savouring various flavours at a famous oyaki shop recommended by the guide, discovering more at a long-established shichimi shop, and trying new miso sweets.

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

  • 2h 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Visitors here can get to see wild Japanese macaques up close amidst scenery that changes with the season. Delight in the adorable sight of cute baby monkeys during their birth season in spring, young monkeys full of life playing in summer, or wild monkeys taking a comfortable soak in the hot springs in winter. As monkeys are wild animals, please be sure to follow the observation rules.

Shinshu Fruitsland

  • 15m
For the last leg of the tour, enjoy a drive-in with plenty of food souvenirs of Nagano Prefecture. Behold a wide variety of seasonal fruits! Feel free to try some, and buy your family and friends some souvenirs fit for foodies. Bringing certain fruits back into some countries is prohibited. Please be sure to check on your own.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Zenko-ji Temple
    • I-491 Motoyoshicho,
    • 380-0851, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Nagano Tourist Information Center
    • Kurita
    • 380-0921, Nagano, Nagano, Japan

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