The Route at a Glance
≈ 2.5–3.5 hrs end to end
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Step 1
Start in Tokyo
The journey begins at Tokyo Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Reserve a seat the day before in busy seasons. An early departure — by about 8:00 AM — is what makes the rest of the day work, putting you at the park before the midday crowds.
Full details
Depart from Tokyo Station — not Ueno or Shinagawa. The Hokuriku Shinkansen platforms sit in the shinkansen concourse, signed in English. From Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ikebukuro, take the JR Chuo or Yamanote line and allow 20–30 minutes to reach the platform.
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Step 2
Tokyo to Nagano by Shinkansen
80–100m
The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs direct from Tokyo to Nagano in about 80 to 100 minutes, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Not every train stops at Nagano, so check that yours does before boarding.
Full details
Kagayaki is fastest (~80 min) but doesn't always stop at Nagano; Hakutaka always does (~90–100 min). Both have reserved and non-reserved seats — reserve in peak seasons. About ¥8,000 (~$55) one-way, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Nagano Station has coin lockers, food, and a tourist desk.
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Step 3
Nagano to Yudanaka
~45m
From Nagano Station, transfer to the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) line to Yudanaka, the last stop, in roughly 45 to 70 minutes; a seasonal express bus also runs direct to the trailhead in about 45 minutes. The JR Pass does not cover the Nagaden line or the local bus.
Full details
Transfer to the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) line on the east side of Nagano Station, about a 5-minute walk. The limited express 'Snow Monkey' reaches Yudanaka in ~45 min; the local takes ~70. Fare is ¥1,290 (~$8) plus a small express surcharge, bought separately — the JR Pass doesn't cover it.
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Step 4
Yudanaka to the Trailhead
10–15m
From Yudanaka, a local bus or short taxi covers the final 10 to 15 minutes to the Kanbayashi trailhead, where a 1.6 km (~1 mi) forest path leads to the park entrance. The express bus from Nagano drops you at the same trailhead directly.
Full details
From Yudanaka, a Nagaden bus reaches the Kanbayashi Onsen stop in ~10–15 min (¥390 / ~$3); a taxi runs ~¥1,500 (~$10). Many ryokan offer a free shuttle. Use the restrooms at the trailhead before the 1.6 km (1 mi) forest walk in.
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Step 5
Timing Your Arrival
Leaving Tokyo by 8:00 AM puts you on the trail before the late-morning tour buses. The monkeys bathe most reliably in the cold early hours, so the earlier you arrive, the better the scene — and the lighter the crowds at the pool.
Full details
The full trip runs about 2.5–3.5 hours each way. Leave Tokyo by 8:00 AM to reach the park before the late-morning tour buses — the monkeys bathe most reliably in the cold early hours, and crowds are thinnest then.
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Step 6
Day Trip or Overnight?
Tokyo to the park and back is a long but doable day — roughly twelve hours door to door. It works, but you arrive in the crowded midday window. A night in Shibu or Yudanaka Onsen transforms the trip: morning access at opening, an evening of bathhouses, and no race for the last train home.
Full details
A day trip works with an early start — roughly a 12-hour door-to-door day — but it's tight; one missed connection eats your park time. An overnight in Shibu or Yudanaka Onsen lets you arrive at opening, skip the same-day rush, and enjoy the ryokan and bathhouses.
ARRIVAL
Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Snow Monkey Park)
25–35m
6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
Good to know
Leave Tokyo by 8:00 AM — beat the tour buses to the onsen
Check the Nagano Dentetsu timetable — express trains are infrequent
Store luggage in Nagano Station coin lockers if day-tripping
Carry cash — the Dentetsu line and buses don't take IC cards
In winter, wear waterproof boots and clip-on ice grips
Allow 20 minutes for the Nagano Station transfer
Staying overnight? Ask your ryokan about shuttle pickup
Bring snacks and water — no vendors at the viewing area
Download offline maps — signal is patchy on the trail
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on timing, the Japan Rail Pass, alternate routes, and where to stay.
Can You Visit as a Day Trip from Tokyo?
Traveling with the Japan Rail Pass
Alternative Route via Kanazawa
Where to Stay Near Snow Monkey Park
Related guides
The Park and Monkeys
Snow Monkey Park
Wild macaques bathe in a hot spring in the Nagano mountains. Nowhere else on earth do monkeys do this.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to See Snow Monkeys
January and February for snow and steam. June for newborns. The monkeys are there every day of the year.
Plan Your Visit
1-Day Snow Monkey Itinerary
It works, but only with discipline. The 8:00 AM shinkansen, two hours with the monkeys, home by dinner.
Plan Your Visit
What to Wear in Winter
The valley drops to −15 °C (5 °F) and the trail is packed ice for a mile. Boots matter more than your coat.
Verified by The Japan Onsen Society
Verified July 7–16, 2026
1. 長野電鉄 (Nagano Electric Railway) — Official ticket and fare page: the Nagaden line, the Snow Monkey Pass, and payment rules.
2. 地獄谷野猿公苑 (Jigokudani Yaen-koen, official) — The park's official site: access, opening hours, and admission.
3. Go! NAGANO (Nagano Prefecture Tourism) — Prefectural tourism guide: route and area information.
4. 山ノ内町役場 (Yamanouchi Town) — Municipal record: local access and area details.
