The 15 Best Winter Hot Spring Days

1.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129Our pick

Leave Sofia for a guided 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above the tree line, using a chairlift to reach Rila Lakes Hut at 2,150 meters. Guides such as Velko, Alex, Daniel, and Kiril lead the route, then you relax in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“One of the most beautiful places I have ever been, there is not enough words to describe the hiking and the views, a really amazing walk guided by Kiril, it was a real privilege to be able to do it in such great weather conditions. Kiril is a very experienced and helpful guy, I am very grateful about this tour!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337Top rated

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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3.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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4.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Leave Sofia early with an English-speaking mountain leader, ride a chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the Kidney, one of the Seven Rila Lakes. After about 2.5 hours on the trail, warm up in Sapareva Banya's mineral pools. Equipment and hotel transport are included.

“O passeio não aconteceu pois o teleferico que nos levaria aos lagos estava fechado em virtude dos fortes ventos. Faltou atitude da empresa/guia, de obter informações sobre o tempo no local . Viajamos por horas, perdemos nosso dia. depois vimos que já estava sendo divulgado localmente que não era recomendado o passeio e não fomos avisados. Na minha opinião todo o valor pago deveria ser devolvido.”

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5.1-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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6.Snowshoeing and Onsen Adventures in a Winter Wonderland -Sapporo.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $224

Meet guide Chris at Makomanai Station for a small-group snowshoe hike near Sapporo. After a safety briefing and gear fitting, walk through deep snow and forest, stop for an included lunch, then warm up at Koganeyu Onsen. Snowshoes, poles, gaiters, transport, and admission are included.

“Chris is very accommodating. He replies to messages swiftly. We enjoyed the whole hiking adventure especially for beginners like us.”

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7.From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide such as Endo, Lin, Kieron, or Yama. Walk the snowy forest trail to Jigokudani’s wild monkeys, enjoy lunch, explore Zenko-ji, and finish with sake tasting. Non-alcoholic drinks are available.

“It was a great experience, made only possible by an awesome guide Endo!”

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8.Winter Combo Godafoss Christmas House and The Forest Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $161

Travel from Akureyri to snowy Godafoss, the Christmas House in Eyjafjordur, and Forest Lagoon. The Traveling Viking provides an English-speaking guide, pickup, Wi-Fi, and time to explore each stop. Guides such as Lilja and Joanna have been praised for warm service and local stories.

“This was a great value for money trip. Our tour guide Lilja was amazing. She was very knowledgable friendly & helpful. We wanted to sit outside with our lunch at waterfall & she helped us clear snow off table & chairs. Thank you Lilja you helped make our trips more special.”

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9.Snowshoe Adventures and Onsen Bliss Winter Escape in Furano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $78

Join local guide Ikki for a small-group snowshoe outing near Furano, with pickup, gear, English support through a translation device, and a walk through deep snow at about 1,000 meters. Finish at Hakuginso Onsen, where a natural hot spring awaits for ¥700.

“Great winter activity that’s not snowboarding/skiing! Beautiful landscape that was taken in at a leisurely pace. Would absolutely recommend doing the Onsen afterwards, great way to warm up after walking around in the snow. Our guide Ikki was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area”

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10.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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11.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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12.Mt. Fuji Skiing Experience- YETI Ski Resort & Onsen Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 8 reviews · 10 hours · from $90

Meet your multilingual guide at Tokyo Station for a bus ride to Yeti Ski Resort, Japan’s earliest snow park. Ski four beginner and intermediate slopes, then choose a paid hot spring visit with Mt. Fuji views. The $90 price includes transport, resort entry, and equipment on selected packages.

“For a first ski trip this was a very beginner friendly parcours and everything went as planned. We also got a introduction to the history of the mountain by our tour guide Wanting and got to try shopping or spa at Gotemba afterwards”

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13.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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14.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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15.Private Tour to Snow Monkey, Zenkoji Temple & Hot Springs Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2 reviews

Leave Tokyo at 6:00 am for a private drive to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenkoji Temple, and Shibu Onsen. Your group of up to five rides in an air-conditioned vehicle, with private transport, fuel, and parking included. Admission and lunch cost extra.

“We were not very happy with the driver. He drove recklessly and was speeding, he was stopped by the police and when he stopped he told us to let the police know we were friends and not tourists. We did not like this. We only visited the SnRead more”

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