Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Guided Tour – from Nozawa & Iiyama

Beyond the Snow Monkeys: Discover 1,350 Years of History in Shibu Onsen.

Join our guided half-day afternoon tour to witness the world-famous “Snow Monkeys” bathing in natural hot springs. You will also explore the nostalgic atmosphere of Shibu Onsen, a historic hot spring town with over 1,350 years of heritage, and enjoy scenic views through vast orchards along the way.

Tour Date: Daily (Minimum number of participants required to operate the tour)
Availability: Start a chat with us in the bottom right icon
Special Tour: 28th Mar ~ 20th Apr: Cherry Blossom Festival Tour
Destination: Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen
Includes: Return Transfers, Monkey Park Entry Ticket and an English Speaking Guide, Wi-Fi on the Bus
Pickup Location:
– 13:00 Nozawa Onsen Chuo Bus Terminal: The North-side parallel parking area
– 13:20 Iiyama Station: In front of the Tourist Information Centre
  (The vehicle loading/unloading area in front of the Tourist Information Centre)
 *Missed departures are strictly non-refundable.
Duration: 4.5~5 hours
Amendment / Cancellation Fees:
– After the booking is confirmed: ¥500 per person
– 3 to 2 business days prior: 30% of the total price
– 1 business day prior: 50% of the total price
– Tour day: 100% of the total price

Scenic Journey to the Park
The drive to the Monkey Park takes approximately 50 minutes from Nozawa Onsen (20 minutes from Iiyama Station). As we pass through expansive orchards, your guide will share insights into the beautiful seasonal landscapes, making the travel time part of the adventure. (No Luggage Allowed)

Visiting the Monkey Park – Skip the Long Ticket Line!
Due to an unprecedented number of visitors, the Monkey Park has introduced ticket sales limits, resulting in extremely long queues at the entrance. However, because we pre-purchase admission tickets for all our guests, you won’t have to wait!

However, please be aware that the park becomes significantly more crowded in the afternoon. For those who wish to experience the park at its quietest, we highly recommend our Morning Private Tour, which allows you to enter almost as soon as the gates open.

The walk from the drop-off point to the Monkey Park entrance takes approximately 30 minutes along a narrow trail. Please note that if a full-size coach is used, guests must be dropped off at the lower parking area due to local regulations, which adds an extra 8 minutes to the walk. For the ultimate convenience, our Private Tour option allows you to be dropped off directly at the trailhead. This shortens the walk to just 25 minutes and provides the closest possible access to the park.

• Important: Due to the narrow path, your guide will provide all essential information and safety instructions on the bus.
• Time Management: You will have approximately 50 minutes at the park. Please be mindful that visiting cafes or shops near the entrance may significantly reduce your time with the monkeys.
• Physical Requirements: Our schedule is based on the walking pace of a healthy adult. If you are travelling with small children or cannot maintain a standard walking pace, your time at the park will be significantly reduced. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, we strongly recommend booking a Morning Private Tour.

Tamamura Honten: A Legacy of Sake and Craft Beer
Established in 1805, Tamamura Honten is the oldest brewery in the region, perched on a hill overlooking the historic Shibu Onsen. While famous for its traditional sake brand, “Engi,” the brewery made waves in 2004 by launching “Shiga Kogen Beer.” Utilizing their expert sake-brewing techniques, they have created an award-winning craft beer that is now celebrated by fans across Japan as a premier Nagano brand.

The brewery itself is a stunning, 150-year-old wooden structure that serves as a shop, tasting room, and art gallery. On the first floor, you can enjoy the shopping area and sample various drinks from a self-service vending machine for just ¥100 per cup.

Venturing to the second floor reveals an art gallery featuring the owner’s private collection. A unique highlight is a small opening in the wall that allows you to peek down directly into the active brewing area from above.
(Note: Closed on Sundays, National Holidays, and New Year holidays)

Shibu Onsen: A Historic Journey Back in Time
With over 1,350 years of history, Shibu Onsen is one of Nagano’s oldest hot spring towns. Traditional wooden ryokans and stone-paved streets create a nostalgic atmosphere, complete with retro game parlors, shrines, and temples hidden around every corner. Keep an eye out—a local troop of wild monkeys also lives here, and you might see them scurrying across the rooftops!

The town is famous for its nine communal baths (Soto-yu). It is a local tradition to collect stamps from all nine baths on a special “Tenugui” towel; completing the set is said to grant a wish. While these baths are usually locked for overnight guests, visitors can experience the main bath, O-yu, by purchasing a ticket for ¥800.

The charm of Shibu Onsen lies in its maze-like back alleys, where it is easy to lose your way. On our tour, your expert guide will lead you through these secret paths, ensuring you see the “Golden Route” and the very best of this enchanting town without getting lost.

• Town Walk: Following the brewery, your guide will lead a walking tour through the heart of the town. While you are free to explore or soak in a hot spring on your own, we highly recommend the guided walk to discover the hidden charms of the town, even on quiet days.
• Tip: Many shops in Shibu Onsen close on Wednesdays. To experience the town at its best, we recommend booking any day except Sunday or Wednesday.

Return Schedule & Important Notice
We aim to return to Iiyama by 17:10 and Nozawa Onsen by 17:30. Please Note: Arrival times are not guaranteed. Delays of around 30 minutes are common due to weather conditions or guests returning late to the bus. Please allow plenty of time if you are booking Shinkansen tickets or dinner reservations.

* We cannot accept luggage other than small items that can fit on your lap.
* No Food or Drinks Allowed in the Vehicle. 
* We recommend our private tour for families who would like to take part in this tour but anticipate that they may walk slowly to enjoy the itinerary to its fullest extent, as it has a flexible itinerary and timings can be changed to fit your family’s preferences.
* The type of vehicle for the tour depends on the number of participants and can not be confirmed until the tour date.
* An extra 8 mins walk (one-way) is required if a full-size coach is arranged, as it’s not permitted to enter the top parking.