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A Day Tour for Snow Monkey and Obuse Town
Joined 2019
You will go to Snow Monkey Park and see how wild monkeys live and seem relaxed without minding human beings watching them.
There are also some lovely places to visit from Nagano City, such as Obuse Town and Suzaka City. Especially, Obuse is a small but pleasant town where Hokusai, the ukiyoe artist known for "The Great Wave," lived in his later years. Entering the Museum, learning about his life, and eating delicious chestnut sweets will surely bring back good memories.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nagano Station or your Hotel
- Let's meet 30 minutes earlier and talk about how we spend a day. A set ticket is available including buses, trains, and entry fees for the park.
Nagano Station Bus Terminal
At 9:10 a.m., a bus will depart from the bus stop on the 1st floor of the East Exit of Nagano Station and travel directly to Snow Monkey Park.
Therefore, we should meet at Nagano Station before 9:00 a.m. and board the bus after a brief meeting.
Snow Monkey Pass, valid for two days, is available. It costs 4000 yen per adult. (until April1, 2024.) This pass allows you to get on and off trains and busses between Nagano and Yudanaka Terminal including admission fee for the park.
Snow Monkey Park
The bus will arrive around 10 am. It takes about thirty minutes to get to the park. So, you will arrive at the park at around 10:30 am.
Around the way, you will walk through a forest and learn some of the remarks and ecology of the monkeys. It will be a refreshing and pleasant feeling along the way.
You can take pictures of monkeys.
Admission is 800 yen per person.
You can stay there as long as possible, but one hour is one choice.
Yudanaka Railway Terminal
12:10 Take a bus to Yudanaka Station and get off a little over 10 minutes.
12:31 Take a train to Obuse Station and get off in 20 minutes.
There is a foot bath in front of Yudanaka Station, so you can soak your feet in the hot spring to relieve fatigue.
Lunch
13:00 After arriving at Obuse Town, let's eat lunch and talk about the itinerary in the afternoon.
Obuse Town
A: Hokusai Museum: Taste his life and delightful works at the Museum of Hokusai, famous for The Great Wave.
B: Eat sweets: Taste Japanese sweets at Obusedo or Chikufudo, famous for their chestnuts.
C: Ichimura Sake Brewery: If you are more interested in sake than sweets, try the delicious sake here
D: The appearance of Obusedo as you enter through the main entrance is calming.
If you like Obuse Town, take the later Train.
E: Ganshoin Temple: You can see a Hokusai's large ceiling painting there. Taking a cab is necessary.
F: Takai Kozan Memorial Museum: A supporter of Hokusai, a calligrapher and painter.
G: Obuse Museum: You can see Japanese paintings and festival floats.
15:55 Take a train to Nagano 16:19 Arrive at Nagano Station
Later trains leave Obuse Station: 16:32 and 17:10
Ending Point
Nagano Station or your Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
Please kindly cover my transportation fee from my living area with 5,000 yen for the round trip.
In addition to that, my transportation, admission, and meal fees during the tour.
And extra tour duration: 1 hour 5,000 yen.
Tour Important Information
*It takes 1 hour and a half for me to come to Nagano City from my home, so please note that I cannot accept a request for a tour of less than 5 hours.
*It costs 5,000 yen for the transportation for me from home to come Natano City.
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. There is a snow boot lending service at the entrance of the Monkey Park path.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
* A set ticket costs 4,000 yen available for two days in 2024.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide Keiichi S.
Hello! My name is Keiichi. Please call me Kei.
I was born and raised in Joetsu City, located in the southern part of Niigata prefecture. Joetsu was the former capital city of Echigo Province until the mid 19th century. It has a lot of historic sites and scenic spots, and most of all good people. I love my city very much.
I worked for the Joetsu City office for over thirty years. During my time there, I was in charge of international relations for about ten years. After retiring from the office, I began working as a licensed tour guide. I am very excited to introduce my city to people all over the world.
Reviews
“Comprehensive and personal ”
Kei san was very meticulous in helping us to plan for the tour. He tried to find out about what would be our interests so he can help put it in the tour, and he made suggestions that are so good! We enjoyed the Shoji door making and learning about the shoji paper. The sake brewery was a delight and his explanations about how the city cope with snow, was really interesting. There’s also a little workshop on how to ‘recycle’ cereal/chocolate boxes into little pieces of art, really creative. We had such fun and we are already thinking when do we come back again. Thank you Kei san for your hospitality!
Keiichi S.
Hi, Ms. Shufen, Thank you for your kind impression of the tour. Unfortunately, it rained in the afternoon, so we could not enjoy the scenery. But your daughters looked like they enjoyed checking their breath, which turned white because of the cold temperature. It would be great if the tour helped you understand snowy countries' lifestyles. Woods and papers are essential materials for Japanese buildings and lives. I am glad you've found such aspects in this tour. Best Regards, Kei
“Beautiful day”
Keiichi was very well prepared and surprised us with interesting sights! We were lucky enough to see Geishas. It was a beautiful day! Thank you, keiishi!
Keiichi S.
Thank you very much, Katrin. It was such a wonderful day. It was a warm and fine day. Cherry blossoms began to bloom. The shopping street holds an event on the first Sunday. So, the Geisha girls came, and it was the first time for me to see those Furumachi Geigi girls in person. You were so lucky. Please enjoy the rest of the tour on your cruise ship.
“Snow monkeys were amazing! Obuse town beautiful!”
Keiichi was very friendly and attentive. We had a wonderful time!
Keiichi S.
Dear Mrs. Miriam H., Thank you very much, Miriam. At first, I worried about the weather, since it rained and began to get colder. But that was good for us because snow monkeys hugged each other and got in the hot spring. So, we took good pictures. I am pleased to know that you had a tasty lunch in a cozy restaurant. I hope you have a good time in Kanazawa and Takayama. Kei
$234/ per group
More tours by Keiichi S.
Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area
Interested in historical sites in Japan? How about Joetsu City? Just a short ride from Tokyo (two hours.) Joetsu City is located in Niigata Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan. Takada Area, a famous sightseeing spot in Joetsu, has interesting features: a castle town, a snowy town, and tasty food and sake. By walking along a local town and communicating with local people, you will feel refreshed and energized. I hope to see you soon!
