Jigokudani Snow Monkeys and Shibu Onsen One Day Course

Jigokudani Yaen Koen, world famous for wild Japanese macaques that bathe in hot springs, and the retro hot spring town of Shibu Onsen. Using Yudanaka as a base, this course lets you enjoy the rare sight of bathing monkeys and an old fashioned onsen town in one day. There is some walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Yudanaka Station Begin at Yudanaka Station, the end of the Nagano Electric Railway line. From Nagano Station it is roughly forty to fifty minutes by limited express. From here take a bus to the Snow Monkey Park bus stop. 10:30 To Jigokudani Yaen Koen Walk the trail for about thirty minutes from the bus stop. The trail is about 1.6 kilometers each way. In winter the path is snowy, so watch your footing. 11:00 Meet the snow monkeys Observe the monkeys soaking in the hot spring up close. Admission is roughly 800 yen for adults (high school age and up) and 400 yen for children. They bathe most often in the cold season. 13:00 Lunch and bath hopping in Shibu Onsen Head to the stone paved onsen town. Touring its nine public baths is the local specialty, and the retro streets are charming. 16:00 An easy trip back Return to Yudanaka Station and take an evening train toward Nagano.

Highlights

Jigokudani Yaen Koen is one of the rare places in the world where you can watch monkeys bathe in a hot spring. Shibu Onsen is a nostalgic town of stone pavements and wooden inns, where you can tour nine public baths in a yukata robe. The mood of the steamy alleys is something special.

Practical Travel Notes

• Park fees and hours: Admission is roughly 800 yen for adults (18 and up) and 400 yen for children (elementary through high school). Opening hours vary by season, generally 8:30 to 17:00 in the warm months (around April to October) and 9:00 to 16:00 in winter (around November to March). Hours can change with weather and monkey activity.
• Access and walking distance: Take the Nagano Electric Railway from Nagano to Yudanaka (about forty to fifty minutes by limited express). From there take a bus to the Snow Monkey Park stop, then walk the trail about thirty minutes (around 1.6 kilometers) each way. Buses are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance.
• Time needed: Allow two to three hours for the round trip walk and observation.
• Clothing and cautions: In winter the path can ice over, so wear non slip shoes and dress warmly. Do not get too close to the monkeys, and do not show them food or carry it in your hand.
• Shibu Onsen bath hopping: The nine public baths are communal baths mainly for overnight guests. Staying in Shibu lets you borrow a yukata and key to tour the baths, and enjoy the quiet morning streets at leisure.
• Budget: Adding the park admission and a round trip by rail and bus of a few thousand yen, plus lunch, figure roughly four to six thousand yen for the day.

A Quick Tip

The monkey park is a short walk from the entrance, so allow plenty of time. Staying overnight in Shibu Onsen lets you enjoy the bath hopping and the quiet morning streets at leisure.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• The public baths of Shibu Onsen (for day visitors): Of the nine public baths, the only one day visitors may use is the ninth, Shibu Oyu. It is open 10:00-17:00 and costs 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (cash only; occasional unscheduled closures). Bathing tickets are sold at the Shibu Onsen tourist information office and at inns around Oyu. Washing your hair is not permitted, and no shampoo or body soap is provided.
• Parking at Shibu Onsen: If you are visiting Oyu, use the large paid car park at Shibu Onsen.
• Yudanaka Ekimae Onsen Kaede no Yu (drop-in bathhouse): Open 10:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30), costing 500 yen for general visitors (junior high school age and above) and 300 yen for elementary school students. Closed on the first Tuesday of every month (the following day when that Tuesday is a public holiday). The foot bath in front of the station is open 10:00-22:30.
• Enquiries: 0269-33-4379 (Jigokudani Monkey Park) / 0269-33-2133 (Yudanaka Ekimae Onsen Kaede no Yu)
• Official information: Jigokudani Monkey Park official website, Shinshu Shibu Onsen official website (Shibu Onsen Ryokan Association), Yamanouchi Town official website

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local authority. Times and prices are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.