How do I get to the Snow Monkey Park from Tokyo?

Shinkansen to Nagano, then the express bus (about 45 minutes) or the Nagaden train to Yudanaka.

Can you feed the snow monkeys?

No. Feeding and touching them is forbidden.

Snow Monkey Park: Dated Tickets & Best Time

How busy is the Snow Monkey Park?

Jigokudani ("Hell's Valley") is the only place where wild Japanese macaques are famous for bathing in a hot spring. They're most likely to bathe in the cold months, which is when almost everyone comes. The viewing area around the pool is small, so from late morning, when the day tours from Tokyo arrive, it gets packed.

Time	What to expect	Verdict
Opening to 10:30 am	Monkeys in the pool, room to see them	Best
11 am-2 pm	Tour groups, crowded pool area	Busiest
After 2 pm (winter)	Easing, close at 4 pm	Good

When	Crowds	Why
January to February	Extreme	Peak snow and bathing season
December and March	High	Snow likely, dated tickets required
April to June	Low	Baby monkeys from spring
Summer and autumn	Low to moderate	Monkeys rarely bathe

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you go, check how busy the Snow Monkey Park is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date.

Check today’s crowds at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park →

Tickets and the new dated-ticket system

Adults	About ¥800
Children	About ¥400
Peak periods	Date-specific advance online ticket required (QR code)
Off-peak	Buy at the gate
Snow Monkey Pass	Nagaden bundle of transport and entry from Nagano. Check current dates and price

Don't arrive without a ticket in winter

In peak periods, you show your QR code at the gate after the walk. Without one, you may wait a long time or be refused entry. Buy your dated ticket online as soon as your date is fixed.

The walk to the park

From the Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop or car park, a forest trail of about 1.6 km leads to the park, mostly flat, taking 25-35 minutes. In winter it's snow-packed and icy. Wear boots with good grip, and consider crampons or spikes, sold or rented nearby.

Rules at the park

Don't feed or touch the monkeys.
Don't stare into their eyes.
Keep bags closed and food out of sight.
Selfie sticks and tripods aren't allowed in some areas. Check the signs.
Stay behind the barriers around the pool.

Best (and worst) times to go

Opening time on a winter weekday.
Spring for baby monkeys, with no dated tickets needed outside holidays.
Worst: late morning on January and February weekends, and Japanese holidays.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Snow Monkey Park shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park →

Plans by visitor type

Day trip from Tokyo

Shinkansen to Nagano (about 1.5 hours), then the express bus, and arrive by 10 am. Book your dated ticket first.

Overnight

Stay in Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen to be at the park for opening, and enjoy the hot springs.

Families

Kids love the monkeys, but the icy trail is tough for small children. Strollers aren't practical in winter.

Getting there

Route	Time	Notes
Express bus from Nagano Station to Kanbayashi Onsen	About 45 minutes	Then the forest trail
Nagaden train to Yudanaka, then local bus	About 45 minutes + 15 minutes	Snow Monkey Pass covers this route
Car		Lots near the trail closed to private cars on peak winter weekends

Practical info

Hours	8:30 am to 5 pm (Apr-Oct), 9 am to 4 pm (Nov-Mar). Last entry 30 minutes before
Weather closures	The park may close early in bad weather
Toilets	At the trailhead and the park
Time needed	2-3 hours including the walk

Mistakes to avoid

Arriving in winter without a dated ticket.
Wearing trainers on the icy trail.
Arriving at noon with the tour groups.
Visiting in summer expecting bathing monkeys.

Is it worth it?

Yes, in winter, as a once-in-a-lifetime sight. With the new ticket system, planning ahead matters more than ever.

Check today's crowd forecast for the Snow Monkey Park.

FAQs

Do you need to book the Snow Monkey Park?

In peak periods (December to March and major holidays), yes: a date-specific advance online ticket is required.

How much is the Snow Monkey Park?

About ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children.

How long is the walk to the Snow Monkey Park?

About 25-35 minutes each way, on a forest trail.

When do the snow monkeys bathe?

Mainly in winter, from December to March.

What is the best time to visit?

At opening on a winter weekday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Heading to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park?

See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.

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Sources

How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 21 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park: New Dated Tickets, Crowds and When to Go