Top 15 Winter Activities in Japan

1.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151Our pick

A full day in Nagano combining Zenko-ji Temple, a guided sake tasting, and the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park for a classic winter wildlife fix.

“Our guide Tom was a great guide! He was fun to listen to and super knowledgeable about the locations we visited. He made learning about the history really fun. Zenkoji temple was beautiful and the snack recommendations were on point. Bring ice cleats for trekking up to see the monkeys, the combination of slope, ice and trampled snow makes it very slippery. They do sell cleats onsite but if you bring your own then you dont have to buy more. Tom even took us on a quick walk thru of the nagano station food area and recommended some snacks that were satisfactory purchases 👍🏻 especially after knowing some of the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Guided Nagano day trip with Zenko-ji Temple, sake tasting, and Jigokudani snow monkeys soaking in hot springs, from Hakuba or Nagano.

“I had a great time on this tour. Brent our guide was informative, friendly and professional in sharing his deep local knowledge regarding the locations we visited.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · 1 day · from $151

Tokyo day trip to Jigokudani for beef sukiyaki lunch and close-up snow monkeys in thermal springs, with optional winter snow huts.

“The guides were absolutely incredible and so helpful to me! I walk with a cane and doing this hike was very difficult for me but because she stayed with me to help me make it up to the monkeys I got to see these amazing little animals!! They take such good care of you, it’s very organized, communication is clear, the bus driver is very safe, everything was so lovely!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Tour Snow Monkey Park & Zenko-ji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 184 reviews · 1 day · from $445

Private Tokyo-to-Nagano day tour with Jigokudani snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, onsen-town stops, and Obuse, with door-to-door luxury.

“We had a great time visiting the snow monkeys and then getting dropped off in Hakuba. They were unbelievable, and there were so many. Waqas, our guide, was great, very friendly, easy to talk to, and a safe driver. Would happily recommend Glorious Travels and Waqas, our driver, to anyone. Also, a great way to have an adventure while travelling to the ski fields.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Snow Monkey & Nagano Customiseable Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 138 reviews · 1 day · from $466

Private Tokyo to Nagano day tour to Jigokudani Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji, customize stops, luxury car, door-to-door pickup.

“Jazib was our guide - we had a great time on our trip! We loved seeing the snow monkeys and pick up and drop off were so easy and seamless”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Nagano Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · from $151

Tokyo to Nagano snow monkeys in hot springs, with an included beef sukiyaki lunch, guided bus ride, and winter walks to Jigokudani.

“We spent an incredible day at Jigokudani Park on January 18th. The weather was a perfect 3°C (37.4°F) and sunny—ideal for the snowy trek to the hot springs! ☀️ We started our tour with a delicious, warming Japanese beef sukiyaki lunch befRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $184

Shiga Kogen snow play plus Jigokudani snow monkeys and lunch on a guided Nagano day trip. Convenience, warm meals, and hot-spring primates.

“I am rating the tour, not the experience - the snow monkey park was amazing, but the tour was terrible. Someone already covered the 'bunny hill' snow activity experience in the 1-star review here, so I will not repeat that part. Our main Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Play with Snow Crab Buffet Lunch and Strawberry Picking Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $125

Osaka winter fun with Mt. Rokko Snow Park, a Kobe crab all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, strawberry picking, and outlet shopping in one day.

“Great trip for family of 4 ranging from age 30s to 60s. Good pace, well-packed itineraries. Snow park was enjoyable for the senior who seen snow for the first time, toboggan was fun and manageable for them too! Crab buffet was sumptuoRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Nagano Tokyo: Snow Monkey Private Day Tour Hotel Pick & Drop

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 84 reviews · 10 hours · from $455

Private Nagano day trip by Toyota Prado: snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, Togakushi, Shibu Onsen, Obuse and Hokusai Museum for up to 5.

“The activity was great. Our driver, Cheemo, of Pakistan, was amazing, maximum credit for his professionalism, proactively confirming reservation, patience, kindness, and generosity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.(Spring Only) 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $254

Spring-only day trip from Nagano to the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Walls, with an English guide and included rail to Ogisawa.

“Very organised. Everything went well as planned. Had a great time. Very good tour guide. He had knowledge and wit!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

A private Nagano day that strings together wild snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse, Hokusai, and a Shibu Onsen soak for a tight schedule.

“Our guide Hori was very knowledgeable and well prepared. We had a great day and highly recommend this tour. The snow monkeys were amazing and the local food delicious.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Nagano/Tokyo: Snow Monkey and Zenkoji Temple Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · from $505

Private Nagano day trip from Tokyo featuring Zenko-ji Temple and Jigokudani snow monkeys, plus Obuse, Shibu Onsen, and castle ruins in a luxury vehicle.

“Ali was an exceptional tour guide! Polite, patient, and incredibly accommodating. Despite booking the tour 2 days prior, the company and Ali were very responsive and helpful with organising the day. He went out of his way to ensure everyone felt comfortable and engaged throughout the tour. He made sure we arrived at the snow monkey park early enough before it got super busy, and was flexible as we decided to go to Obuse instead of Zenkoji Temple. The day didn’t feel too rushed considering it’s a ~ 11 hour tour from Tokyo with about 7 hours total driving time. Highly recommend!Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 9 hours · from $165

Shiga Kogen snow play and Jigokudani Snow Monkeys in one 9 hour day trip from Nagano, with lunch and an English guide.

“Quick and easy booking. Reasonable price and value. Very courteous and helpful tour guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Nagano/Tokyo: Snow Monkey Private Day Tour At Lowest Rate

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 44 reviews · 10 hours · from $399

Private 10-hour trip from Tokyo to see wild snow monkeys in Jigokudani, plus Zenko-ji, Matsumoto Castle and Obuse.

“We liked the ability to customize the trip to suit our needs. The weather was snowy and rainy for the trip but we felt safe throughout”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Snow Monkeys & Togakushi Shrine Two-Spot in-One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 8 hours · from $202

Private Nagano day linking Jigokudani snow monkeys and Togakushi shrines with a car, English guide, and photo captures after your tour.

“We got to see lots of monkeys! Also, Chris is an amazing guy and guide. Due to the private nature of the tour, everything was chill and we did not get tired even though you visit both the snow monkey park and Togakushi shrine in one day. I totally recommend this company.”

Check availability →Read our full review