3 BEST Snow Monkey Tours from Tokyo
Have you been searching for the best tours from Tokyo to see snow monkeys? Look no further, you have come to the right place!
The trip from Tokyo to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is not an easy one to make on your own, especially if there’s snow on the roads! Tours offer a safe, easy, and convenient way to visit this must-do experience in Japan at an affordable price.
We’ve traveled through Japan extensively and made the trip to see snow monkeys as part of a tour so we know from experience what makes a tour there top-notch. We’ll cover what makes each of our three favorite tours stand out, who each tour is best for, and all sorts of other need-to-know information.
Disclaimer: If you want to see the snow monkeys in the hot springs, you will need to go in either Autumn, Winter, or Spring (September through May).
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this full-day tour to Jigokudani Monkey Park that includes transport from Tokyo, lots of time to see the adorable snow monkeys and a traditional Japanese lunch. It’s only $119 USD which is really affordable for an all day experience. You can book this highly-rated tour here as well as read all the recent reviews from other travelers.
Tip: Book online in advance as this is a POPULAR tour. It has free cancellation until 24 hours before the tour, so secure your spot now!
1. Snow Monkey Tour from Tokyo with Lunch and Transport (Best Group Tour)
- Duration: 13 hours
- Highlights: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, forest walk
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, transportation, lunch, admission to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Read all the reviews here)
- Free cancelation: Yes, up to 24 hours before the tour starts
- Price: Check price here!
This full-day tour is our top choice for seeing snow monkeys because of everything it includes at an affordable price. But affordable doesn’t mean low quality! We were beyond impressed with this tour from start to finish.
Since you’re coming from Tokyo, expect about a 4-hour bus ride in each direction. The drive up was beautiful and watching the buildings of Tokyo change to a snowy landscape was lovely. The bus was comfortable with bathroom stops every 2 hours, but charge your phone before you leave because there are no USB ports onboard.
As nature lovers, we enjoyed the easy 30-minute walk through the snow-covered forest to reach the monkeys. Our guide pointed out birds and other small animals as we made our way there and besides the cold, it was great!
The stars of the day were the monkeys of course and watching the babies run in and out of the hot springs was adorable. We couldn’t believe it when some even jumped out of the springs to walk up and check us out up close! There were hundreds of monkeys everywhere and if you love these little guys as much as we do, this tour will have you smiling ear to ear.
Before heading back we had a delicious Beef Sukiyaki lunch which is a mixture of beef and fresh veggies in a delicious soy sauce broth. We also appreciated that there is a cafe nearby to grab some coffee before the drive back to Tokyo. All-in-all a perfect day!
Book our FAVORITE snow monkey tour here!
2. Private Tour of Snow Monkey Park & Zenkoji Temple (Best Private Tour)
- Duration: 12 hours
- Highlights: Zenko-ji Temple, Enza Cafe, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, private vehicle with WiFi, round trip transportation from your accommodation, fully customizable
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read all the reviews here)
- Free cancelation: Yes, up to 24 hours before the tour starts
- Price: Check price here!
We love this private tour because its flat rate makes it cheap for groups and hotel pick-up and drop-off means you don’t have to figure out how to get to a pick-up point in Tokyo. If you’re looking for a personalized and stress-free way to see snow monkeys, this tour was made for you.
What makes this tour even better is your first stop is one of our favorite temples in all of Japan, Zenko-ji. Built in the year 642, this Buddhist temple has a fascinating history and exploring it with a guide is the best way to see it.
We like private tours for long drives because they’re so much more comfortable and you can stop for the restroom any time you need. And with a 4-hour drive each way, this is especially important. If you prioritize comfort, book a private tour like this one and avoid a group tour!
Once you reach Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, it’s an easy 30-minute walk to the hot springs through the snow-covered forest. Since you’re not on a group schedule, you can spend extra time here enjoying the monkeys and taking pictures. With hundreds of them running around, this isn’t a place you want to be rushed at!
To top off a perfect day, you make a stop at the amazing Enza Cafe near the Snow Monkey Park. We love their ramen, but they have a super diverse menu to choose from! A great way to warm up after the cold of the mountain.
For a VIP experience, book this private tour to see snow monkeys!
Related Read: Once you’re back in the city, check out our favorite food tours in Tokyo for an amazing meal!
3. Customizable Private Tour to see Snow Monkeys with Professional Photographer (Best for travelers who want amazing photos!)
- Duration: 12 hours
- Highlights: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Nagano Chausuyama Zoo, Zenko-ji Temple, Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort/Alpine Garden, Shiga Kogen Resort Gondola, Togakushi Soba Museum Tonkururin, traditional Japanese sword-making, Endo Sake Brewery, Matsumoto Castle
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, private vehicle with WiFi, professional photos, entrance to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, round trip transportation from your accommodation, fully customizable (choose what you want to see from the highlights above)
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read all the reviews here)
- Free cancelation: Yes, up to 24 hours before the tour starts
- Price: Check price here!
This private tour makes the list for easily being the most personalized snow monkey trip we have seen to date. It’s run solely by a photographer, Kye, who loves to share his country with fellow travelers and we love the amount of customization he gives you! While it’s not the cheapest option, it is easily the most luxurious and is put together in a way only a local knows how.
It goes without saying that you’ll visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. What makes this tour unique compared to others is that you have a professional photographer who comes with you! You’ve upgraded from getting just photos of the monkeys to with the monkeys too. If you want the best photos ever with these cute little guys, Kye will make it happen on this tour.
Some private tours just drive you from point A to B, but with this one you get a knowledgeable local with you the entire way. This makes going to additional stops of your choosing so much more fun. For example, you can experience traditional Japanese sword making (ask Kye about it after you book) and that’s something I’ve never seen on any other tour! And that’s only one of many optional experiences he can take you to.
You have so many choices on this tour and I love it. And if you’re traveling in a group, it’s incredibly cheap for everything you get. Plus, being escorted in the comfort and class of a luxury vehicle for the day never hurts!
Secure your spot on this bucketlist private tour here!
Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan
Accommodation in Tokyo can be expensive – there’s no simple way to put it! However, there are a lot of great options in terms of quality, location, and amenities. To help narrow down your choices, I’ve picked out three fantastic stays for those looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget place to stay.
Luxury – $$$
Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier is a luxury stay featuring rooms with balconies and city views. It’s conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, so you’re close to the trains and top sights, but it’s still a relaxing and quiet stay. The rooms are modern and spacious, and you can enjoy the onsite restaurant and gorgeous garden area.
Prices start around $250 USD per night and can be booked online here.
Mid-range – $$
OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka has a fabulous location in the Minato area, and close to the trains so you can get anywhere in the city easily. The hotel itself is very comfortable for a moderate price point, offering double or twin rooms with cozy sitting nooks in each room. There are plenty of restaurants and convenience stores around the hotel, and you can walk to some of Tokyo’s top sights.
Rooms start around $150 USD on average. You can check prices and reserve this stay online in advance.
Budget – $
If you’re looking for a budget friendly stay, the Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Karin is your best bet. Located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo, you’ll be near top temples and activities and a short walk to the train station. The rooms are basic, but clean and provide a comfortable place to rest and you can get a private room or a dorm room. Private rooms start around $50 USD and a dorm is about $20 USD – not bad for Tokyo!
Check availability and book this budget stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Tokyo here!
Renting a Car in Japan
Japan’s trains are great, but if you want to explore rural areas, scenic routes, or off-the-beaten path hidden gems, renting a car offers unmatched flexibility. Driving in Japan is generally safe, with well-maintained roads and clear signage, though there are some unique rules and customs to be aware of.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare multiple provider prices, check company ratings, filter for the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
- Drive on the left: In Japan, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. The driver’s seat is on the right, and you’ll need to adjust to roundabouts and different road layouts. Take some time to get comfortable before hitting busy roads.
- Know the local rules: You must come to a full stop at “止まれ” (stop) signs, and pedestrians always have the right of way. It’s also mandatory for all passengers to wear seatbelts, even in the back seat. It’s also a good idea to brush up on the Japanese road signs before you go. They are mainly symbol based, and being able to recognize them will make your journey a lot smoother!
- Insurance is essential: We always recommend full coverage rental insurance—especially in Japan, where tight city parking, narrow village streets, and even wildlife on roads (like deer in Hokkaido) can lead to unexpected dings or damage. Discover Cars makes it easy (and affordable) to add this peace of mind when you book.
- Choose the right car: Roads and parking spots in Japan can be tight, especially in cities and older towns, so a small or mid-sized car is usually best. Discover Cars makes it easy to filter by transmission, fuel type (like hybrid), luggage space, and more, so you can find exactly what works for your trip.
- Watch for toll roads: Japan has an extensive network of toll roads (expressways). Tolls can be paid by cash or card, but it’s worth checking if your rental car comes with an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card for convenience.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Japan
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention. This is a must—it’s the only version Japan recognizes, and you’ll need to get it before arriving.
- A credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
- Most companies require you to be at least 18 years old, and some may require you to have held a license for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may face additional fees.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring the Japan on your own terms!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Seeing the snow monkeys was one of our favorite memories from our most recent trip to Japan and we hope you’re excited for your own adventure! With one of the tours on our list, you’ll have a great experience seeing these cute little guys and have all the logestics taken care of. Just dress warm!!
For more tips, check out our blog on traveling in Japan! We fell in love with this country and all its incredible experiences. So let us help you do your research for the trip of a lifetime.
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