Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Half-day Private Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  [CLOSED on Sunday and New Year Holidays] Sake & Beer brewery. The ground floor is a shop area, 2nd floor is a traditional art gallery. During winter, you may freely visit it instead of the guided walk in Shibu Onsen.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

  The journey to the park involves a scenic 2km walk along an unpaved forest trail, surrounded by majestic cedar trees, offering a true immersion into Japan’s pristine nature. The park itself is relatively compact; one hour is usually more than enough to see everything. However, please remember these are wild animals. You may encounter monkeys on the trail before even reaching the park entrance. We strongly recommend heading straight into the park first to see the main hot spring area. If you spend too much time with monkeys outside the gates, your time inside may be cut short. For a unique experience, look across the river from the park to the historic inn. In winter, you can often see monkeys and overnight guests sharing the outdoor bath! This facility also offers day-trip bathing for ¥1,500. If your timing is perfect, you might even find yourself soaking in the hot spring alongside a curious snow monkey. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

  1 hour 50 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 3
  Shibu Onsen

  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 onsens (Soto-yu). It is a local tradition to collect stamps from all nine onsens on a special "Tenugui" towel; completing the set is said to grant a wish. While these onsens are locked for overnight guests, visitors can experience the main onsen, 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, our expert guide will lead you through these secret paths, through the ultimate route, meticulously designed to showcase the very best of Shibu Onsen’s historic charm without getting lost.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  [Green season only] Discover the secret behind Nagano’s delicious sake. This stunning temple is home to a legendary natural spring, providing the pure 'Shikomi-mizu' (brewing water) that nourishes the local breweries you visit. A peaceful stop to taste the essence of the region.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Travel time is included to the total duration of the product.
• Rain gears are needed to be arranged by paricipants.

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