The 8 Best Spa Days in Nagano

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

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

Spend a full day with a private English-speaking guide visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, Obuse, and the Hokusai Museum. Choose public transport or a private vehicle, stop for local food and sake, and shape the day around your group’s pace and interests.

“Our guide Horiuchi-San was an absolute gem, he was knowledgeable, well-prepared, and is great company! The tour driver (I forgot his name) was just great, he drove safely and was very friendly. The lunch spot was just great, great food Read more”

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

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

From Iiyama or Nozawa, ride through Nagano’s orchard country to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, with entry tickets arranged in advance. Walk 2 km each way, see the monkeys for about 50 minutes, then visit Shibu Onsen and Tamamura Honten. Guides including Tommy, Tome, and Rossella lead the tour.

“Incredible tour, very time efficient— a great easy way to see the monkeys and get a little flavor of the region from a very knowledgeable guide!”

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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 bathing snow monkeys, enjoy lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and taste Nagano sake. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led this relaxed, well-organized day.

“Great day out with a fantastic guide and safe driver. Lunch was very tasty too! The guide was very knowledgeable and shared information in an easy going manner.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Start at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques may soak in a mountain hot spring. Then enjoy soba in Shibu Onsen, visit a public bath, and collect onsen stamps with a towel. Guide Umut leads a small group of up to seven, with pickup support available by request.

“This tour is very organised and the communication is clear from the booking process to the end. Our tour guide Umut was excellent, friendly and informative. The day was hot and there was no guarantee that the snow monkeys would be tRead more”

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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, Joetsu, Togakushi, Myoko, Nozawaonsen, or nearby areas to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. An English-speaking guide such as Dai or Chris leads the day, then takes you to Shibu Onsen for lunch, old streets, craft beer, shops, and possible ryokan bathing.

“Had a very good time and felt very welcome by my host since he pick us up at a very easy and convenient place for us to come til the very last second he drop us and even accompanied us to buy our tickets on the next train to Tokyo so made sure we didnt got delayed by any mean… My host was the best!”

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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. Expect a quiet alpine walk, local food, lantern-lit streets, photo memories, and thoughtful winter alternatives when snow closes the trail.

“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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7.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Private Tour (Nagano, Nozawa, Myoko)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Start early with private transport to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, then visit Tamamura Honten brewery and walk Shibu Onsen’s old lanes. Your guide is also the driver. The tour suits groups of up to eight, but you must arrange rain gear and manage a 2-kilometer walk to the monkeys.

“It was a very sweet and pleasant day. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.”

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8.Winter Holiday Snowmobiling in Nozawa Onsen Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $162

Join Umut’s small-group winter outing from Nozawa Onsen, Shibu, Yudanaka, Myoko, or Nagano Station. Ride easy snowmobile trails in Sakae or Shiga Kogen, then soak in a traditional onsen and enjoy lunch. The route may change with weather.

“Fantastic experience out for the family. Umut organised a great day out!. Picked us up from our hotel in Nozawa after breakfast, drove us out to shiga kogen for 2 Adults and 2 kids for 2 hours on snowmobiles, instruction and tour. Went to luRead more”

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