How to Get to the Snow Monkeys
The town of Yamanouchi in northeastern Nagano Prefecture is a popular sightseeing and leisure area. Nestled amid the beauty of nature, it is renowned for its large snow resorts such as “Shiga Kogen”, “Kita Shiga Kogen” and “Yudanaka/Shibu Onsen Resort.
In recent years Yamanouchi has attracted worldwide fame for the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Yaen-koen, the “Snow Monkey Park.” Large numbers of foreign tourists visit the park every year.
Here we explain how to get to Jigokudani Yaen-koen by public transit.
Yamanouchi is located about 30km from Nagano Station, the jumping-off point for sightseeing in the Kita-Shinshu area. There are three ways to reach “Jigokudani Yaen-koen” from Nagano Station: bus, train and shinkansen (bullet train). Choose the type of transportation that best fits your traveling style.
From the “East exit of Nagano Station” on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, board the Nagaden Express Bus marked “Kyuko Shiga Kogen Line”. Ride the bus for 41 minutes and get off at the “Snow Monkey Park stop (formerly the Kamibayashi Onsenguchi stop)”, then walk for about 40 minutes.
Note1: The summer and winter schedules are different.
By Train
Take the Nagaden Line train and get off at “Yudanaka Station.” From there, transfer to the Nagaden bus marked “Kamibayashi Line” or the route bus marked “Shirane Kazan/Okushiga Kogen Line.” The bus takes 15 minutes to reach the Snow Monkey Park stop (formerly the Kamibayashi Onsenguchi stop.) Get off here and walk for about 40 minutes.
By Shinkansen
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen and get off at “Iiyama Station.” From there, transfer to the Nagaden Kyuko bus marked “Kyuko Shiga Kogen Line.” Ride the bus for 34 minutes and get off at the “Snow Monkey Park stop (formerly the Kamibayashi Onsenguchi stop)”, then walk for about 40 minutes.
Best convenience and value! See the snow monkeys with the Snow Monkey Pass.
The SNOW MONKEY PASS includes train and bus tickets from Nagano Station and admission to Jigokudani Yaen-koen, all in one convenient package.
Where to buy the Snow Monkey Pass
The Snow Monkey Pass is available at Nagano Station, Gondo Station, Suzaka Station, Obuse Station and Yudanaka Station.
Price
Adults ¥2,900 Children ¥1,450 (includes express-train fare)
Snow Monkey Holiday Mini Bus (winter only)
This bus travels directly between Shibu Onsen and Jigokudani Yaen-koen and between Yudanaka Station and Jigokudani Yaen-koen. Reservations are required.
Fares
One-way fare (same for adults and children)
Between Shibu Onsen and Jigokudani Yaen-koen ¥700
Between Yudanaka Station and Jigokudani Yaen-koen ¥800
Package Tickets (return bus fare + admission to Jigokudani Yaen-koen)
Between Shibu Onsen and Jigokudani Yaen-koen Adults ¥1,500, elementary-school children ¥1,250
Between Yudanaka Station and Jigokudani Yaen-koen Adults ¥1,700, elementary-school children ¥1,450
