1-Day Private Snow Monkey ZenkoJi Temple & SakeTasting NaganoTour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. This temple is absolutely beautiful and one of the favourite so far comparing to other many shrines in Japan. There are much less tourists here which gives you the opportunity to savour and enjoy the surroundings. The template has been so well preserved and has lots of small shrines and a gate on the approach up to it with beautiful trees and plants and lanterns all around. There are also lots of little restaurants and places to buy souvenirs. We had a really enjoyable walk up to see this - 25 minutes from Nagano station and it was well worth the walk. A really beautiful place.

   2 h

2. Monzen Terrace Enya is a great place to eat out in Nagano Japan. A bit away from downtown Nagano, it is however quite close to the Zenkoji temple and which is highly recommended as an accommodation. The food is an imaginative mix of western (e. g. pizza and pasta) and Japanese styles.

   1.7 h

3. The Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑, Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) offers visitors the unique experience of seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. You get off the vehicle and go on a gentle 30 minute walk through a spectacular forest and arrive at a gorge. For a very reasonable cost, you then enter the restricted area where you can dwell and watch the monkeys at play and bathing. The park is inhabited by Japanese Macaques, which are also known as Snow Monkeys.

   2 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 38 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Truly Zen and Wonderfully Guided

  Zebi was warm, accommodating, and attentive to every detail, making our day completely stress-free. From walking through the historic halls of Zenko-ji Temple to enjoying a gorgeous meal at Monzen Terrace Enya, everything exceeded expectations. Ending with the snow monkeys and a warm sake tasting made for a picturesque winter journey.

  35crewnSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5The Ultimate Nagano Experience

  Our tour with Malik was smoothly paced, highly informative, and deeply memorable. The snow monkey park lived up to every expectation, while the sake tasting offered a delightful introduction to the region's craft traditions. Dining at Monzen Terrace Enya was a treat, featuring great atmosphere and food. Highly recommend this itinerary!

  Happiness18437818953September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A Seamless Blend of Culture and Nature

  Zeshi made our private tour feel completely personalized and relaxed from start to finish. Exploring the peaceful grounds of Zenko-ji and tasting crisp Nagano sakes gave us a genuine taste of local culture. Monzen Terrace Enya served a fantastic, high-quality lunch, and seeing the snow monkeys play in the snow was an absolute highlight.

  Passenger02925083481September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Unforgettable Day in Nagano!

  Shan was an exceptional guide whose deep knowledge of Zenko-ji Temple brought centuries of history to life. Watching the snow monkeys up close in their natural hot spring habitat was magical, and lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya was fresh, vibrant, and delicious. The local sake tasting rounded out a perfect, seamlessly organized day.

  Passport39267234513September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Exceptional Guide and Itinerary

  Malik went above and beyond to give us an unforgettable private experience. The itinerary flows perfectly—wildlife, rich temple history, an incredible meal at Monzen Terrace Enya, and crisp local sakes. Worth every penny!

  jaxonk529September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 1Don't book this

  Arrived 10 minutes late. Very little English didn't know itinerary had to keep calling head office to see. Didn't know lunch was included. Picked tour because of sake tasting he had to Google what that was and then offered to take us to beer shop! No information or interaction - dropped us to monkey car park and said "up path." Considering the money paid this is a scam.

  Global02045934301September 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Nagano

• Its from-price is 171% above the median of the 8 city tours we list in Nagano.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 8.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Nagano

Nagano is a mountain city in central Japan, centred on the old Zenko-ji temple and ringed by ski slopes, hot springs and alpine valleys.

Nagano sits in a basin among the mountains of central Honshu, and Zenko-ji, a temple traditionally founded in the seventh century, is the heart of the city. Pilgrims have come to it for more than a thousand years, up a long approach lined with shops and lodgings to a great wooden hall. The city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.

Top-ranked sights in Nagano: Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-Koen), Zenkoji Temple, Yudanaka Onsen.

See all 179 experiences in Nagano