Go to monkey hot spring with “Snow Monkey Pass” – Nagano Electric Railway

Nagano Electric Railway is selling the winter version of “SNOW MONKEY PASS” that includes “Jigokudani Yaen-Koen” entrance and unlimited train and bus tickets from Nagano Station.

Japanese macaques entering a hot spring at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (image)
Japanese macaques entering a hot spring at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (image)

Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, located in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, is a facility where you can observe wild Japanese macaques up close. The appearance of “monkeys entering hot springs”, which is unique in the world, has gained popularity mainly among tourists from overseas, and it is known all over the world as “Snow Monkey Park”.

The “Snow Monkey Pass” for the winter of 2020-2021 is on sale from December 5, 2020 (Saturday) to April 5, 2021 (Monday), and is valid for two consecutive days from the date of purchase. It is free to get on and off within the following section – Nagano Electric Railway Line (Nagano Station – Yudanaka Station), Nagaden Bus “Express Bus Shiga-Kogen Line” (Nagano Station East – Snow Monkey Park) and local buses “Shiga-Kogen Line” and “Kambayashi Line” (both Yudanaka Station – Snow Monkey Park). You can also board the limited express trains on the Nagano Electric Railway Line at no additional charge. In addition, you can enter Jigokudani Yaen-Koen once during the validity period.

Nagano Electric Railway 1000 series "Yukemuri" used for the limited express, former Odakyu Electric Railway type 10000 Romancecar "HiSE"
Nagano Electric Railway 1000 series “Yukemuri” used for the limited express, former Odakyu Electric Railway type 10000 Romancecar “HiSE”

The price is 3,600 yen for adults and 1,800 yen for children, and it is on sale at Nagano, Gondō, Suzaka, Obuse, and Yudanaka Stations of Nagano Electric Railway. If you want to use it from an unmanned station or a station that does not sell it, you can get on the train to the station where it is sold and purchase it later.

Nagano Electric Railway is announcing that it will not refund even if there are no monkeys at the time of arrival, and it is recommended to check the status of monkeys in advance on the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen web site (external site).