❄️ How We Time Our Snow Monkey Tours for the Best Possible Experience
At o8Experience, we care deeply about offering tours that truly deliver—especially when it comes to the beloved Snow Monkeys of Nagano. These wild macaques soaking in natural hot springs are a highlight for many guests visiting Japan.
That’s why we’ve made a thoughtful decision:
🗓 We operate Snow Monkey Tours throughout the year—except in October.
This one-month pause isn’t random. It’s based on clear patterns and real experience, ensuring that your tour meets the expectations it should.
🐵 October: Beautiful Weather, Unpredictable Monkeys
October in Nagano is stunning. The air is crisp, the leaves are golden, and the mountain scenery is unforgettable.
But it’s also the time of year when the Snow Monkeys are least likely to appear at the park.
Some days they show up late. Other days they leave early. And some days—they don’t come at all.
📊 What the Data Tells Us
All data in this article comes from Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (地獄谷野猿公苑), the official Snow Monkey Park in Nagano.
They publish daily updates showing:
Whether monkeys were seen
When they arrived and departed
How long they stayed
We reviewed the park’s October records from 2022 to 2024, using:
The official English website
Daily summaries shared on X (formerly Twitter)
Here’s what the numbers show:
| Period | % of No-Show Days |
|---|---|
| Early October | 42% |
| Mid-October | 26% |
| Late October | 60% |
In fact, in October 2024, there wasn’t a single confirmed monkey sighting at the park all month.
Or to put it more gently:
“The monkeys just didn’t feel like coming down that month.”
A message from the park’s official X account (October 20, 2024) summed it up clearly:
🗣️ “According to the data, both early and late October show over an 80% chance of late arrivals, early departures, or no monkey presence at all.”
— @jigokudani_saru
This kind of insight from the park is one of the reasons we take a break from monkey tours during October.
✅ When Is the Best Time to Visit the Snow Monkeys?
The good news? Every other month works—if you time it right.
Here’s our honest, season-by-season guide:
🧊 Mid-November to Early April
The most reliable period. Monkeys consistently gather near the hot springs, especially as the weather cools.
❄️ Late December to March
Snow-covered scenery + steam rising from the baths = the classic “monkey in the snow” photo opportunity.
🌸 April & May
Sightings remain stable. In May, monkeys are often more active in the afternoon, so we plan accordingly.
☀️ June
Still a great time to visit—especially after 11:30 AM, when monkeys typically return from the surrounding forest.
🌿 July & August
Warm months, but monkeys still come—early morning is best, and that’s when we go.
🍁 September
Slightly more variable, but monkeys often appear. We run tours with a bit of flexibility this time of year.
🚫 October
The only exception. Sightings are simply too uncertain, so we pause for the month.
🕰️ We Design Our Tours Around the Monkeys—Literally
Unlike other operators that follow a fixed daily schedule, we design each tour based on actual monkey appearance patterns—season by season, even week by week.
This means:
We analyze seasonal trends and time-of-day behavior
We adjust departure times to align with when monkeys are most likely to appear
We adapt itineraries to match nature’s rhythm—not the other way around
Examples of how we plan:
Summer → early in the day to beat the heat
May → later in the day, when the monkeys are more active
Mid-November to April → paced to avoid heavy crowds and long lines
In other words, our tours aren’t just “hoping for the best”—they’re deliberately structured around the monkeys’ real-world habits. That’s how we help our guests be in the right place, at the right time.
🐒 A Note on Nature’s Unpredictability
These monkeys are wild. They live freely in the mountains—not behind fences.
That’s part of what makes the experience so special.
While no season offers a 100% guarantee, we build our tours around what works most of the time, based on years of hands-on observation and verified park data.
And in October—when nothing seems to work—we simply step back and wait for the monkeys to return.
🍂 What to Do in October Instead?
If you’re visiting in October—don’t worry. There are amazing alternatives:
🏞 Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
A beautiful blend of nature and history
→ Kamikochi & Castle Tour🌲 Togakushi Shrine Trails
Golden cedar forests and sacred mountain paths
→ Togakushi Shrine Hiking Tour🏔 Kurobe Alpine Route
Crisp air, towering peaks, and unforgettable autumn colors
→ Kurobe Alpine Tour
October is a perfect month to explore the highlands, dive into culture, and enjoy the changing seasons.
✅ Honest Experiences, Thoughtfully Designed
At o8Experience, we don’t just sell tours—we craft them.
That means:
Taking a break in October when nature isn’t playing along
Adjusting schedules based on real appearance patterns
Avoiding crowds while maximizing the chance for close, natural encounters
We believe great travel isn’t about squeezing into a set formula. It’s about understanding how the land—and its creatures—actually move.