8 Nagano Hot Springs Tours to Book Early

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

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

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Fumiko. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and the Hokusai Museum, with time for local food, sake, or an optional onsen. Choose public transport or a private vehicle, with hotel pickup available from selected central Nagano hotels.

“By far the best part was visiting the snow monkey park. This is one of the most fun things you can do in Japan if you’re an animal lover. Way better than an owl cafe.”

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

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

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Iiyama or Nozawa to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, with entry arranged in advance. Walk 2 km through cedar forest, watch wild macaques for about 50 minutes, then visit Shibu Onsen and Tamamura Honten. Guides such as Tommy, Tome, and Rossella add local history and helpful travel tips.

“Great experience. Tommy our guide was fabulous. He was knowledgeable and informative about the local area. He made the trip very enjoyable.”

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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 an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, a warm Japanese lunch, Zenko-ji Temple, and a sake tasting. Guides such as Jens and Yama have been praised for clear explanations and friendly care. Expect a full winter day, icy walking, scenic forest, and a group of up to 44 people.

“We had a great day out with Yama! We loved that there were only two large groups. The monkeys were great fun to watch and the walk through snow laden pines to see them was lovely! Lunch was a welcome surprise and we really enjoRead more”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Meet at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park at 10:00 for a two-hour visit with guide Umut, then enjoy soba lunch and an onsen bath in Shibu Onsen. The small group is limited to seven, and admission, transport, lunch, and the bath fee are included. A towel for the hot-spring stamp tradition 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

This private Nagano day trip pairs Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park with Shibu Onsen’s old wooden inns and stone streets. An English-speaking guide such as Dai or Chris handles transport, lunch advice, and timing. You get free time for craft beer, shops, or a traditional bath, plus gifted photos from the day.

“Great Dai was a really good guide - personable, knowledgeable and providing flexibility on the move to modify the itinerary as the day progressed and conditions changed. Would definitely book a tour with him again.”

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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. Walk to Onuma Pond in Shiga Kogen, look for wildlife, then enjoy lunch and free time in lantern-lit Shibu Onsen. Seasonal changes may require a different lake or cultural stop, and photos are provided afterward.

“Great locations, great guide! We went to Togakushi as the Emerald Lake was closed. Chris was fabulous - a good mix of cultural information as well as allowing for our questions & areas of interest. the tour exceeded our expectations..”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Start early with private transport from Iiyama Station, Nozawa Onsen, or Myoko Kogen. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, then taste sake or beer at 1805 brewery Tamamura Honten and explore Shibu Onsen with your guide. The tour lasts about 4.5 hours and suits groups of up to eight.

“Our guide was amazing and knew so much about the area and the park itself (I’m sorry I don’t know how to spell his name). The drive was great and the walking tour of Shibu Onsen like stepping back in time, would highly recommend to anyone.”

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8.Winter Holiday Snowmobiling in Nozawa Onsen Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $162

Spend a winter day near Nozawa Onsen with pickup from your hotel, a gentle snowmobile ride in Sakae or Shiga Kogen, a traditional onsen soak, and lunch. The small group limit is four people. Organizer Umut has handled family outings, though ride time may vary, so confirm the schedule before booking.

“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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