Where to Book: the 6 Best Nagano Spa Experiences

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

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

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Emi. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, and possibly the Hokusai Museum, with hotel pickup available for selected central Nagano hotels. Transport, stops, and pace depend on your chosen vehicle option.

“Tour guide was informational and thorough. He took us to a cherry farm and tasted some cherries fresh from the orchard. The Snow Monkey Park was something to experience. Tour guide was able to chase an overly aggressive monkey away. He took us to a Soba restaurant and it was delicious. We felt safe with his driving.”

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2.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78Best value

Join guides such as Tommy, Tome, or Rossella for a 4.5-hour afternoon outing to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen. Pre-secured park tickets save time, while the cedar-forest walk, sake brewery, old bathhouse town, and seasonal countryside stop add local flavor. Expect about 4 km of walking, with snow, mud, stairs, and changing weather possible.

“Tommy provided a wonderfully informative tour along a forest path lined with Japanese cedars to the snow Monkey park. He took us on a stroll through the Ossen village where he delighted us with stories and facts. Along the drive he described the abundant regional fruit, vegetation and wildlife. Wonderful tour.”

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3.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with a local English-speaking guide to see wild macaques bathing at Jigokudani, enjoy lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and taste Nagano sake. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led especially well-paced outings. Expect snow, ice, and a 1.6-kilometer forest walk.

“Best day! Exceeded our expectations! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and super friendly. We really loved how smoothly the tour went, pick up & drop off was great & on time, the Snow monkeys were amazing a real site to see, the lRead more”

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4.Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch and Shibu Onsen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Spend four to five hours with guide Umut visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, eating soba in historic Shibu Onsen, and relaxing in a public bath. The small group is limited to seven people. Admission, lunch, transport, and an onsen entrance fee are included, while the stamp towel and snacks cost extra.

“I can highly recommend taking this tour, the snow monkeys did not disappoint and our guide Umut was very friendly and showed us where to buy the most amazing apple pies!!”

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5.Snow Monkeys & Ghibli Onsen Town with Free Time to Explore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 7 hours - 510 minutes · from $191

Travel by private car from Nagano, Myoko, Nozawaonsen, Togakushi, Joetsu, or Kamiminochi District to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen. Guides such as Dai and Chris tailor the day, arrange local lunch, show you the old hot spring town, and may help arrange a private onsen visit. Photos taken during the tour are gifted afterward.

“Brilliant tour! Guide was very informative and easy going! Showed us a few hidden gems :) Anything we wanted to see he made it happen! Had the best experience- highly recommend ! Amazingly tour, was just stunning !🙌😃”

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6.Nagano UNESCO Park: Emerald Acid Lake & Ghibli Onsen Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 9 hours · from $190

Spend nine hours with an English-speaking guide such as Chris or Dai, traveling by private car from Nagano, Togakushi, or Obuse to Onuma Pond and Shibu Onsen. Walk through Shiga Kogen’s forest, look for wildlife, eat local food, and enjoy free time in the hot spring town. Winter conditions may require a different lake or shrine visit.

“Although we weren’t able to visit Ohnuma-ike Pond because of the heavy snow, Dai took us to Biwa-ike instead, which was just as beautiful. The walk there was stunning as well — even though it was challenging in the snow, it made the experience feel even more special. Dai was incredibly attentive throughout the day. When I mentioned I wanted to try gyudon, he truly went above and beyond to find a great restaurant for us. It wasn’t exactly gyudon, but it was the closest option available and absolutely delicious. He also took us to a ryokan with private onsens where we were able to relax and enjoy a full…”

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