2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

Situated between the popular destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, the mountainous region of Nagano is the literal heart of Japan and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This tour combines some of the region’s most iconic destinations - including the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, the 1400-year old Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, Narai-juku, and the historic old town of Takayama - with the unforgettable experience of being driven through Japan’s Northern Alps, a place of high mountain peaks and rarefied beauty. With an English-speaking guide on both days, and transport between locations included, this tour captures the history and beauty of central Japan with the convenience and comfort of one easy package.

Highlights

• Explore Zenko-ji - a National Treasure and one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan; enjoy a guided 'sake' tasting experience and a lunch at a high-quality Japanese restaurant; and visit the world-famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani and learn all about what makes them so unique on Day 1
• Visit iconic Matsumoto Castle – a National Treasure and one the last remaining original castles in Japan; Stroll the Nakasendo road in Narai-juku, a well preserved post town; and be driven through the southern reaches of Japan’s stunning Northern Alps enroute to your final destination - Takayama
• An English-speaking guide on both days and accommodation in Nagano City on Day 1, as well as all transport between Nagano and Takayama are included in this tour

Review

Description

Day 1

Your guide will meet you at Nagano Station at 09:35 (please be at the meeting point in advance of the departure time) and from there the tour group will head to Zenko-ji. As a registered National Treasure, the temple is the most important cultural site in Nagano and one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in the entire country!

A place of true historic importance, full of legends and myths, you will be guided around the temple before (time permitting) your guide will give you the opportunity to explore the surrounding precinct of smaller temples, shops, and food by yourself. After free time, you will be treated to the next part of the tour- a guided sake tasting experience at a local historic brewery. Feeling jolly, the next stop will be lunch wherein a delicious Japanese style meal will be awaiting you. The specific ingredients and dishes will vary on the season, but you will always have a few options, including a vegetarian/vegan option.

Well-fed and warmed by sake it's time to head to the Snow Monkey Park. Your guide will take you along the forest trail which leads to the park and into Jigokudani - rather dramatically translating to 'Hell's Valley'. Home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs, there are no barriers separating you from the wild monkeys, making this a unique and memorable experience. Your guide will introduce these truly curious creatures and provide you time to enjoy the unique experience of observing them in close proximity. Make sure to bring your camera as you're going to need it!

By visiting the park in the afternoon when visitor numbers are lower, we aim to provide our guests with the best possible experience and more space and time with the monkeys. Your guide will then accompany back along the trail and soon have you heading back toward Nagano where the tour concludes at your accommodation, Hotel Kokusai 21.

As one of Nagano City’s most established and international hotels, Hotel Kokusai 21 is conveniently located within easy walking distance of the city’s restaurant and entertainment district, and prides itself on its many in-house services and eateries, buffet breakfast, and English-speaking staff.

Day 2

The tour starts at Kokusai 21's lobby, where you guide will greet you at 07:50 and have you board the tour bus and head to Matsumoto Station. Once all guests have boarded the bus, the tour will head for the historic center of Matsumoto, established as a castle town in the days of the Samurai.

We will begin our itinerary by exploring the Matsumoto Castle grounds. The castle dates back to the end of the ‘Warring States Period’ with much of the original structure still intact. One of the most beautiful historic buildings in Japan, it is one of only two 6-storey castles remaining today – yet only exists due to the intervention of local residents who have saved it from destruction more than once.  You will be guided into the castle grounds as your guide reveals the history and features which make it so lauded, before heading into the castle itself and ascending all the way to the top of its six stories! Inside you will find intricate woodwork, beautiful views of Matsumoto City, and a collection of historical guns, artifacts, and other items which will give you a glimpse into the life of a Japanese warrior when the castle was first built.

After a pleasant walk through the old downtown of Matsumoto, we will arrive at Nawate-dori, also known as “Frog Street”, which is home to more than 50 shops, restaurants, and cafes most famous for selling all things frog-related. Also to be found are an array of specialties including many flavors of ‘senbei’ (rice crackers), ‘taiyaki’ (fish-shaped pastries), ‘dagashi’ (traditional candy), ice cream, and much, much more!

Once everyone has met back up in front of the castle, we will begin our journey to Narai-juku. This will take around 1 hour, but you need not worry about getting bored for the whole ride is blessed with scenic views of fields and mountains. Your guide will explain more about the Shinshu region and the history of Narai-juku and the Nakasendo road while you are enroute to your destination.

Situated in the middle of the Nakasendo road which once connected Tokyo (then known as Edo) to Kyoto, Narai-juku is today the longest and amongst the best preserved of all post towns remaining in Japan. As it is located deep in the mountains, and immediately before a very tough section of road, it flourished as a place for travelers to rest up and prepare for the next leg of their journey. With all this economic activity, it eventually became famed throughout Japan as “Narai of a Thousand Inns”; And while that is perhaps an exaggeration, the number of historic buildings lining the street here will surely surprise you.

Finishing up at Narai-juku, you will board our tour vehicle again to start the roughly 2 hour drive to Takayama, through the beautiful scenery of the Northern Alps. The day will conclude around 18:30 at Takayama Station, but please make sure not to book any plans in too close to the expected arrival time in case of traffic.

Meetup Points

DAY 1  /  NAGANO STATION @ 09:35

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

DAY 2  /  HOTEL KOKUSAI 21 @ 07:50

The meetup point is at the entrance of Hotel Kokusai 21. Please be at the entrance prior to the meetup time and look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The tour will need to depart on-time.

NOTES

Included

• Transportation from Nagano to all listed destinations, ending at Takayama
• Snow Monkey Park entrance fee
• Lunch on Day 1
• Sake tasting
• Accommodation at Hotel Kokusai 21 on Day 1 (inc. breakfast on Day 2)
• Matsumoto Castle entrance fee
• Entrance to a traditional house in Narai
• English speaking guide on both days

Excluded

• Dinner on Day 1 & Day 2
• Accommodation in Takayama
• Lunch for infants (0-5) - please order directly at the restaurant according to your needs.
• Shinkansen/bullet train tickets

Other Information

• This tour is composed of two group tours, each with an English speaking guide, and other guests may join in on either both Day 1 and Day 2.
• Please wear suitable shoes for the walking trail into the Snow Monkey Park.
• The weather in winter can be very cold ( -10 ~ 5 degrees Celsius), so please come dressed in clothing appropriate for the weather.
• During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
• There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park. In such case we will provide an alternative activity.
• Infants (0-5) are included free of charge. No bed is provided for them in the accommodation but they are free to share with an accompanying adult.
• It is possible to extend your stay at Hotel Kokusai 21. Please send us your preferred length of stay if this is what you’re looking for.
• The tour application deadline is 2 days  before the tour date at 17:00.