Shimotakai District Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Life’s checklist - Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park

One of my life’s checklist done!! ❤️ “Jigokudani Yaen-koen (altitude 850 meters) is located in the Valley of Yokoyu River sourced from Shiga-Kogen of the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park in northern part of Nagano prefecture” Now that’s ✅, oh my gosh was this place hard to get to. 4hours each way from Tokyo is no joke seriously - train Shinkansen train train bus - it was tedious! So don’t be like me and take a day tour la 🇯🇵 Once you are there, you also need to be cardio-fit in order to actually reach the park. The hilly climb from the bus stop and then 1.6km trek from the bus stop to the entrance of the park is just the beginning - you really need to want to go there 🫢 But once there, those monkeys are super cute la. 🙈 the big ones, the furry ones, the little ones - to be amongst them while they ignore you and carry on with their lives is surreal. Once in a lifetime worth! 🍀 Of course they are called snow monkeys coz visitors love to visit during winter when the snow falls on the furry coats but since I’m here during autumn why not make it an autumn monkey trip right? 🤣

Getting There - Nagano Attractions - Snow Monkeys 🙉

The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani

The Japanese Macaques, more popularly known as the Snow Monkeys, inhabits this park located in the forests of the Jigokudani valley in Yamanouchi. The monkeys love to gather around this man-made onsen pool and it is really interesting to watch them interact and socialize with each other while soaking in the warm pools. The best time to visit this place is during winter months, when the whole place will be covered in snow. The walk to the onsen pool is quite a long but very scenic one. It was very enjoyable walking through the forest trees all covered in snow and the scenic river landscape. #momentssg #nyedestinations #japan

Monkey Paradise in Winter, Tokyo

If I could only recommend one place to visit during Winter in Tokyo area, the Jigokudani Money Park will be my choice without a doubt! Located to the nearest city, Tokyo, the monkey park is easily accessible via public transport, and the exact bus/train information can be found easily online. I will highly recommend to plan your trip early in advance so as to not miss any schedule! Once reaching the entrance, there will be a 20mins walk before reaching the park where the snow monkeys live. This 20mins walk is one of the most enjoyable, easy hike because of how beautiful the whole place is when covered with snow. And once you reach the monkey park, that’s where the real fun begins! You will be able to look at the natural habitat and behavior of these snow monkeys, and because nothing is caged, these cute ones may even come running next to you! Just be careful not to do anything that may irritate them. The park although is opened all year round, but I will HIGHLY recommend to visit during the winter season as these place looks the absolute best in snow. One extra tip for those photographers. Make sure to bring a tele zoom lens so you can take photos of the monkey close up! It makes me feel like a Natgeo photographer for a moment! 😂 #unforgettableexperiences #momentssg #japan #tokyojapan #hiking #nationalpark #unforgettableexperiences

trip of ski in Nagano

Ryuoo Ski Park

Experience the ultimate skiing at Hakuba • Ryuoo Ski Park is located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and is one of the most popular ski resorts among both Japanese and international tourists. • The highlight of this place is the breathtaking view from the mountain peak at 1,930 meters above sea level. • There are a variety of ski slopes for all levels of difficulty, including beginners, intermediate players, and experts. • In addition, there are other activities to enjoy such as snowmobiling, tubing, and viewing the scenery from the aerial gondola.

Less crowded and great for skiing - Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

This month, taking advantage of the skiing season, I also went skiing to join in the fun. I chose Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, because compared to popular skiing places like Niseko, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is less crowded, convenient to travel, has a local atmosphere instead of being a resort, the single ski field is wide, beginner-friendly, and friendly to solo travellers. ❄❄❄❄❄ Convenient transportation: Get off at the Shinkansen Iiyama Station, and a direct bus will take you to the ski resort in 25 minutes. Delicious and comfortable: Nozawa has 13 public hot springs, and most guest houses also have their own hot springs, which are much needed after skiing; there are also enough restaurants, convenience stores in the town, bakeries, cafes, natural bars, etc. All living facilities are within walking distance: The town is at the foot of the ski resort, and it takes only 5 minutes to walk to the cable car entrance from the place of accommodation. It takes only 20-30 minutes to walk from one end of the village to the other, without the need for a car or relying on a shuttle bus. Cable car ticket (snow ticket): If you buy with a discount coupon, there are discounts of 50% and 20% respectively, and a 2-day pass can be used for 5500 yen. Equipment rental: There are many choices for renting equipment, the equipment in the ski resort is new and the price is pure board + shoes 4800 yen, and others can be added. Free shuttle of the ski resort: Nozawa Ski Resort has 3 main entrances, connected by a shuttle bus, remember that the return time is very important.

My most favorite ski resort is Nozawa onsen. Not too far from Tokyo. I love the small village where you can walk from hotel to the wooden chair lift. I found it charming and unique and relax. Not too many people. Food is awesome especially the Japanese pork buns. The village looks so cute. #merrychristmas #merrychristmas

Explore one of Japan's three major hot spring towns: Gero Onsen, a retro Japanese-style hotel -Sanjoko recently went to one of Japan's most famous hot springs: Gero Onsen, it and Kusatsu Onsen, Ama Hot Springs is listed as the Hometown of Three Hot Springs in Japan. - There are more than 90 hot spring hotels in the area of Xilu Hot Springs. From the mountains to the waterfront, each has its own style. It happened that the [Shuiming Hall] we stayed in was one of the most famous ones, and it has been more than 80 years old. Japanese courtyards, zephyr architecture and decoration have only become a part of the Japanese style. : There are 3 hot spring baths in the Shuming Hall. The open-air hot springs in the hot springs are the contrast between the warmth and the hot springs. 2 Looking at the big bathing place can look at the entire scenery of Gero City; 3 in the independent bathing place can enjoy a very private hot spring time. : There is still a stage in the hotel. If you are lucky, you can watch a traditional performance. Room: - Back to the room, I also like it very much. And the room, more special, this room type is very large, not only has two rooms, but also a hot spring that can be soaked in the room. -A cup of tea and a dessert, feel the leisure time of Japan with a feeling of relaxation. -Last picture: above is the map of the hotel, below is the hotel's internal map [Shuiming Hall] Address: 509-2206 Gyoda 1268, Gero, Gifu Prefecture

The second stop of the Japanese Spring Festival holiday

Has been a wonderful 10’days trip to Nozawa, Nagano, Japan for our first Skiing trip. We have total 5 family’s joining us and such as remarkable moment. 😊👏💪🙏

Known as Japan's longevity town, Nagano Prefecture is full of natural hot springs, and the folk customs are very simple. Traveling here can live in local people and experience the most traditional Japanese and local cuisine. Nozawa Onsen in Nagano, Nagano is a hot spring that will come to Nagano Prefecture. The quaint hot spring street is full of hot springs, and there is a scent of scent. There is open-air hot spring water, which is a place where local residents use hot spring leeks. Leek is a local custom. Nozawa produces a vegetable called Nozawa, also known as Japanese mustard. Autumn is just the harvest season. Local residents can eat it directly after hot spring water. It can be marinated, and after a winter, you can eat crispy and refreshing pickled wild vegetables! We stayed at the local family's home. The simple and comfortable rooms are very warm and close to the local life. In the evening, I would like to eat local dishes at the locals' home. The table is full of the master's personal preparation. Their household ingredients are all natural, mushrooms are collected by themselves, and food is also grown by themselves. The key is that the couple are very nice and live very happy~