Wonder of Nature! 'Snow Monkey Park' and Onsen + Ukiyoe Maestro 'Hokusai'
9:00 or 10:00 ( from Tokyo: 7:28 Shinkansen Asama 505, or 7:52 Shinkansen Asama 507) (from Nagoya: 7:00 Super Express Shinano 1) --> meet the guide at Nagano station outside the ticket gate (not at the following meeting place) for those who can get to Nagano sta. earlier than the above meeting time: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (1F Lobby)in front of Nagano Sta.
Tour Features
Snow Monkey Park' has been attracting visitors from all over the world. The photo,"Snow Monkey and Baby", was selected as Grand Prize of the 2006 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Award. Snow Monkey Park is widely known for the scenes monkeys bathing comfortably in a hot spring.
Jigokudani literally means "Hell's Valley". There are a lot of hot springs that flow from its rocky bed and also a hot spring fountain. At the foot of Shiga-kogen heights, the winter here is harsh, but the monkeys can escape snow and cold soaking in a bath. http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
This area is a renowned huge hot spring resort with a wide selection of hotels and inns and even public baths for day trippers.
It was a venue for snowboarding events in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
On the way back, we stop at 'Hokusai Art Gallery'to enjoy the masterpieces of the ukiyoe maestro's original hand paintings which you can only see here -- they include those magnificent paintings of 'Dragon','Phenix'and 'Waves' on the ceilings of festival floats.
The nearby temple with Hokusai's stunningly divine grand mural on its ceiling could be your choice.
Come visit us and enjoy real wonders of Japan.
Tour Time
9:00 or 10:00 am~around 4:00pm
Meeting Time
Meeting Place
Duration
6~7 hours (also negotiable)
Tour Price
15,000 JPY for 1~3 persons. Add 1,000 JPY each for more (applicable to the tours conducted by Nov. 2009
Expenses not Included in the Tour Price
Transportation & admission (around 2,500 JPY),and lunch are not included in the tour price.
Itinerary
JR Nagano Station-Snow Monkey Park-Onsen(Hot Spring)-Obuse-Hokusai Art Gallery etc. -JR Nagano Station (Itinerary is subject to change)
Guide's Name
Haruko MASUO (Ms.)
Language
English
Distance of the Route
around 5 kilometers or 3 miles
Dates of Operation
Every day on request basis.(Reservation is necessary. Send e-mail to us at least two days in advance to see the availability. Upon receipt of your application, we will confirm your booking by email
Guide's Cellphone Number (for Emergency)
+81 (0)90-1996-6161
My Website
http://w1.avis.ne.jp/~masuoha
To Make a Reservation,
Send an email to us with (1) your name, (2) number of participants, (3) desired tour date, and (4) name and phone number of your hotel in Japan (or your contact phone number). welcometonagano@gmail.com
Notes
This tour is not insured, so it is highly advised that you purchase health, accident and liability insurance before joining our tour.
Credit cards are not accepted.
Paypal payment is acceptable.
The photos shown below are 'the monkeys in the snow.' Courtesy of Mr. Toshio Hagiwara, JIGOKUDANI Snow Monkey Park. Copyright.