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Onsen in the Snow · Nagano
Hot springs in the snow
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Hot springs in the snow
Onsen in the Snow · Nagano
Calm Culture Luxe
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Book it yourself on the next step, or let a GoSmart specialist plan it with you.
Find things to do in Nagano Talk to a specialistWhy you’ll love it
Steam rising, snow falling, and monkeys who found the bath first. A GoSmart specialist tailors the route, the stays, and the pace to you.
Why it works
The snow monkeys at Jigokudani are the reason to come in winter, wild macaques soaking in a steaming pool while snow lands on their heads. They roam freely around visitors, making for remarkable photographs while staying completely wild.
Worth knowing
It is a 30 to 40 minute uphill walk from the parking area on a forest trail that ices over. Wear real boots with grip, not the sneakers you flew in.
For the classic snow-on-the-monkeys shot you need actual snow, so aim for January or February. The monkeys are there year-round, but green hills is not the postcard.
Nagano is 90 minutes from Tokyo on the bullet train, so it pairs easily onto a wider Japan trip. The same region has Zenko-ji temple and some of the country's best skiing.
Base yourself in a Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen ryokan. The old hot-spring town near the park lets you do your own onsen soak at night after watching the monkeys do theirs by day.