8 Nagano Hot Springs Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337Our pick

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and the Hokusai Museum. Guides such as Hori, Mutsumi, and Emi adjust the pace and stops, with private-car and public-transport options available.

“Our tour guide was Hori and he was absolutely fantastic! His knowledge of the area and history behind everything was great. Our experience was so much fun. The hike was icy when we went in March so I definitely recommend having gooRead more”

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2.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78Best value

Travel from Iiyama or Nozawa to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, walk a snowy 2-kilometer forest trail, then visit historic Shibu Onsen and Tamamura Honten brewery. Guides such as Tommy, Tome, and Rossella add local stories, while pre-secured park tickets save waiting time.

“This was a great experience. Tommy our guide was friendly and informative. He made sure all participants were catered for. The trek to the park is pretty through the woods and the reward of the monkeys at the end is worth it. The visits to the brewery and Shibu Onsen were nice add ons. Recommend.”

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3.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with a local English-speaking guide to see wild Japanese macaques at Jigokudani, eat lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and taste Nagano sake. Guides such as Jens and Yama have earned praise for clear explanations and friendly care.

“A really enjoyable, fun family experience with a great guide. The walk is icy but beautiful, and the monkeys are special, particularly for the kids. The afternoon was relaxed and fascinating.”

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4.Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch and Shibu Onsen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Join a small group of up to seven for a 4 to 5-hour Nagano outing to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen. Guide Umut leads the visit, with monkey park admission, soba lunch, transport, and an onsen entrance included. An optional stamp towel costs extra.

“I can highly recommend taking this tour, the snow monkeys did not disappoint and our guide Umut was very friendly and showed us where to buy the most amazing apple pies!!”

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5.Snow Monkeys & Ghibli Onsen Town with Free Time to Explore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 7 hours - 510 minutes · from $191

Take a private day trip from Nagano, Joetsu, Myoko, Nozawaonsen, Togakushi, or nearby areas with an English-speaking guide. Walk to Jigokudani’s hot springs, eat in Shibu Onsen, explore at your own pace, and possibly enjoy a traditional onsen. Guides such as Dai and Chris have led this experience.

“Had a very good time and felt very welcome by my host since he pick us up at a very easy and convenient place for us to come til the very last second he drop us and even accompanied us to buy our tickets on the next train to Tokyo so made sure we didnt got delayed by any mean… My host was the best!”

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6.Nagano UNESCO Park: Emerald Acid Lake & Ghibli Onsen Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 9 hours · from $190

Spend nine hours with an English-speaking guide such as Chris or Dai, traveling by private car from Nagano, Togakushi, or Obuse to Shiga Kogen’s Onuma Pond and Shibu Onsen. Expect a gentle nature walk, flexible sightseeing, local food options, private-group service, and complimentary tour photos.

“Very good. A good balance between leisure and a physical activity. A perfect day trip in Nagano.”

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7.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Private Tour (Nagano, Nozawa, Myoko)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Start early from Iiyama Station, Nozawa Onsen, or Myoko Kogen with a private driver-guide. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Tamamura Honten brewery and art gallery, then walk Shibu Onsen. The park walk covers about 2 km each way, and park admission is extra.

“It was a very sweet and pleasant day. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.”

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8.Winter Holiday Snowmobiling in Nozawa Onsen Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $162

You’ll ride a snowmobile in Sakae or Shiga Kogen, depending on weather, with guide Umut arranging the outing and giving instruction. The day includes hotel pickup, a gentle beginner-friendly ride, a traditional onsen, lunch, and return transport to Nozawa Onsen, Yudanaka, Shibu, Myoko, or Nagano Station.

“Fantastic experience out for the family. Umut organised a great day out!. Picked us up from our hotel in Nozawa after breakfast, drove us out to shiga kogen for 2 Adults and 2 kids for 2 hours on snowmobiles, instruction and tour. Went to luRead more”

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