Tags: Tokyo to Snow Monkeys, Japan Snow Monkey Access, Getting to Japan Snow Monkeys, How to get to Japan Snow Monkeys

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys Japan

Getting to the Snow Monkeys from Tokyo & Osaka

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys, Japan Snow Monkey Access, Getting to Japan Snow Monkeys, How to get to Japan Snow MonkeysHow to get to Shiga Kogen

How to get from Osaka & Tokyo to Japan Snow Monkeys

Japan Snow Monkeys Access Guide

Welcome to the Japan Snow Monkeys Access Guide.

Getting from Tokyo to the Japan Snow Monkey Park and other major Japanese cities is quite straightforward via bus, train, car or shuttle.

Where is the Snow Monkeys Park?

The Japan Snow Monkey Park located in the north of Nagano Prefecture in central Honshu Island. The area is easily accessed from both international airports in Tokyo (Narita & Haneda) by shinkansen (bullet train), airport shuttle, taxi, rental car or bus.

How long to get to the Snow Monkeys?

The total travel time from Tokyo to the Japan Snow Monkeys is usually between 3-4 hours via shinkansen bullet train/bus or around 5 hours via airport shuttle. There are also several options from the international airports in Nagoya/Osaka (Kansai). This usually takes between 6-7 hours.

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys: Accommodation Options

Japan Snow Monkey Park Accommodation Map

Booking.com

From Narita, Haneda & Tokyo to Snow Monkeys

Go here for information about couriering your luggage and ski gear to and from the Snow Monkeys

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys: Video Explainers

Tokyo to Nagano: Via Shinkansen

Catch the train from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station (see here for full instructions).

Follow the green signs for the Hokuriku Shinkansen which usually leave from Platforms 22 or 23 at Tokyo Station (see map here). Take the shinkansen bound for Kanazawa/Tsuruga (faster) or Nagano (slightly slower) and get off at Nagano Station.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can also alight at Iiyama Station and switch to the local bus to Shiga Kogen that takes around one hour.

If staying overnight in Nagano City you can book hotels here.

The journey usually takes between 1.5 – 2.0 hours (average is just under two hours). The shinkansen service runs frequently until 10.00pm each day. The non-reserved cars are to the rear heading to Kanazawa (usually car nos. 1-3). All cars are non smoking. There are between 2-3 trains per hour. You can reserve your tickets using the Japan Rail online reservation system.

Here’s how you change trains to the shinkansen in Tokyo

Nagano to Shiga Kogen: Via train/bus

These are videos of getting to the Japan Snow Monkeys from Nagano Station.

The first video is via Dentetsu Railway/Yudanaka Onsen. Head out the Zenkoji Exit and follow the signs.

Nagano to the Japan Snow Monkeys: Via Bus

This second video is getting the bus straight there. Head out the EAST EXIT and go to the bus stop for Shiga Kogen (no. 23). Make sure to get off at ‘Snow Monkeys’ bus stop!

There are three main choices for getting to the Snow Monkeys from Kyoto and Osaka.

1. From Shin-Osaka or Kyoto station, catch the Tokkaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (usual travel time is 40-55 minutes). Transfer at Nagoya Station to the Chuo Honsen line and catch the Shinano Limited Express bound for Nagano Station (normal transit is 3 hours) that travels through the scenic Kiso Valley. Keep your camera out as there is some beautiful scenery along the way.

2. Take the express train to Tsuruga Station and then change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station. This journey goes via the Japan Sea coast and is a more expensive option.

3. A direct overnight highway bus from to Nagano from Kyoto & Osaka is available from Alpico Bus Line.

At Nagano transfer to one of the options above.

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys Japan: Shuttles & Private Transfers

For medium-large groups we can help organise a direct private transfer at reasonable cost from the airport, Tokyo or Nagano ski resorts to the snow monkeys (and/or return). Check here for more details. Taxi/charter journeys will usually take 4-5 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. Comfort stops are included.

Public shuttles from Haneda and Narita Aiports are also available. See here for more details.

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys Japan: Driving to Shiga Kogen

Driving to the Japan Snow Monkey Park is a straightforward exercise. Follow the diagrammatic as below. Check here for local rental car prices.

Tokyo to Snow Monkeys Japan: Rental Cars

If you are only intending to stay in the area around the Snow Monkeys before moving onto you next destination then there is no need for a rental car as getting around the area is easy via the local bus service or walking. However if you want to head off to check out nearby ski resorts or Nagano tourist attractions it’s good to have a car.

There are now numerous companies offering Shiga Kogen car rentals in English (as well as support in English), plus some cars can come with English GPS. Most major car rental companies have branches in Nagano but obviously can also only be found in major cities such as Tokyo or Narita. There is a good range of choice to be found in Nagano and all cars come winterised with winter tyres. Check the bottom of this page for tips on renting cars in Japan.

Your nearest car rental point to the Snow Monkeys is Nagano Station. For ease of pre-booking a rental car online and great selection enter ‘Nagano’ (wait for autocomplete) and your dates below and it will come up with a few options. Most rental shops don’t open until at least 9.00am so don’t enter an earlier time than this or it may show ‘no availability’.

Check for more Nagano and Snow Monkey car rental options here.