The park provides us a rare opportunity for us to watch the Macaque up close and observe their fascinating behavior. During winter the monkeys enjoy bathing in the hot spring. The history of Zenkoji temple started in 642 and it does not belong to any religious sect. Legend says that Zenkoji's golden triad was the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan. After taking a walk in Nakamise street, you can enjoy Sake tasting if you like.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nagano Station or your nearby hotel
Nagano station or your nearby hotel
Meet with you.
We will get to the park by express bus or express train from Nagano Station.
Snow Monkey Park
To get to the park, you need to walk for about 35 minutes on a forest path from a bus stop.
Zenkoji Temple
We will go to Zenkoji Temple by local bus or taxi.
Nagano station
Tour ends
Ending Point
Nagano Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
Travel expenses to/from the place where the guide meets you and his residence. (5,000JPY)
Admission fees to temples/shrines/museums/etc. (you and guide) (apx.2000JPY/person)
Transportation fee during the services. (you and guide) (apx.4000JPY/person)
Lunch (you and guide)
Other actual tour-related expenses (if any).
1) The tour will not be conducted during instances of extreme weather such as typhoons and snowstorms.
2) Warm clothes and shoes are recommended for the walk in winter.
3) Please advise us if you have any religious or health restrictions, allergies, or have other specific requests.
I can also guide you to Nagano and the surrounding area from Tokyo.
Travel insurance is not included in our tours. I would recommend you take out your own travel insurance just in case of any unexpected accident.
Hello! My name is Takeshi.
I am a National Licensed Guide Interpreter in English.
I was born in Tokyo. I worked for Canon for more than 30 years including a 5-year assignment to the U.S. office. Before joining Canon, I received a master's degree in engineering in the United States.
After retiring from the company, I began working as a volunteer guide for foreign visitors in Kamakura and Yokohama for a while.
However, I became fascinated by the beautiful nature of Nagano prefecture and decided to move here to the Yatsugatake Mountains, 1000m above sea level in Nagano a few years ago.
Since then I go out to look at the breathtaking mountains, lakes, and shrines every day. I would like to guide you to these special sites and also share with you the Japanese culture in my guided tours.
I am flexible and can customize the tour based on the customer's request.
I am also a Certified Travel Service Administrator. My hobby is Aikido and I hold the 2nd Dan black belt.
Hope to see you soon.
“Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji templo Tour”
My family and I took the tour with Takeshi-san as our guide to Snow Monkey Park and Zenkoji temple in january 2025, and it was wonderful! Takeshi is super cordial, friendly and careful, making our tour of Nagano even better. Even when facing an unforeseen event, with heavy snow falling, we managed to enjoy all the stages, with him helping us at all times. We highly recommend it!
Takeshi H.
Thank you for your review. It was unexpectedly heavy snow, but I am glad to be able to finish our tour almost as planned. Hope to see you again.
“Guests enjoyed the tour”
Extremely grateful for the smooth transaction and for taking such great care of the guests. Thank you for making this experience so seamless and positive!
Takeshi H.
Thank you for your review. Luckily, we were able to enjoy the snowy Narai-juku (Narai post town of Nakasendo trail)
“I enjoyed touring with takeshi very much.”
He had a very pleasing personality and certainly a great knowledge of the areas that we covered. We were very tired, so he was very accommodating and taking us back when we needed to go back. I would be delighted to tow with the Takeshiagain anytime in the future. 10/10
Takeshi H.
Thank you for your review. Please visit Japan again to see the places you didn't see this time.
$307/ per group