Top 8 Places to Stay for the Snow Monkeys (Nagano & Beyond)

Where to stay for Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park — a practical, no-fluff guide

Planning a Snow Monkey trip and wondering where to base yourself? Your base changes everything — from morning start times and crowd levels to how easily you can pair the monkeys with Zenkoji Temple, Obuse’s sake & sweets, castle towns, or ski resorts. This guide ranks the top eight bases with travel time estimates, vibes, and sample day plans.

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TL;DR Decision Guide

*Travel times vary with winter weather/roads. Private tours allow flexible routing and luggage handling.

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1) Nagano City — Easiest for Most Travelers

Best for First-timers, families, anyone who wants an early start.
Why it works Station-side hotels, smooth 08:45 departures, and the easiest add-ons: Zenkoji Temple, Obuse (sake & soba), or a quick evening izakaya.

Sample day plan: 08:45 depart → Snow Monkeys → Obuse tastings → Zenkoji sunset → Nagano Station drop.

2) Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen — Closest & Most Atmospheric

Best for Hot-spring fans, couples, slow-travelers.
Why it works Shortest transfer to the park and classic ryokan vibes. Perfect for a steaming soak after your snowy monkey visit.

Sample day plan: Stay the night → Early Snow Monkeys → Obuse sweets & art → Back to ryokan for onsen.

3) Karuizawa — Tokyo-Friendly Forest Resort

Best for Stylish weekenders, Tokyo in/out, café & outlet lovers.
Why it works Easy Shinkansen access, beautiful walks among the trees, and premium shopping.

Sample day plan: Eve in Karuizawa → AM transfer to monkeys → Return for cafés/outlets at dusk.

4) Nozawa Onsen — Ski + Onsen Village

Best for Ski trips that want a culture day.
Why it works Compact village with great public baths; works well for 2–3 winter nights.

Sample day plan: Ski morning → Midday monkeys → Evening village stroll & onsen.

5) Hakuba — International Alpine Feel

Best for Longer ski stays, groups of friends or families.
Why it works Big-mountain terrain and many dining options; the monkeys make a great rest-day trip.

Sample day plan: Rest day from skiing → Snow Monkeys → Back to Hakuba for dinner.

6) Matsumoto — Castle Town & Culture

Best for Culture-first itineraries, castle and old-street lovers.
Why it works Combine Matsumoto Castle and old neighborhoods with a monkeys day trip.

Sample day plan: Morning castle → Transfer to monkeys → Return for izakaya in the evening.

7) Myoko — Quiet Powder Base

Best for Deep-snow seekers who prefer calmer resorts.
Why it works Under-the-radar powder + reasonable access to the park.

Sample day plan: Powder morning → Monkeys after lunch → Back for onsen dinner.

8) Shiga Kogen — Fastest Ski Base to the Park

Best for Ski-centric itineraries that want a quick monkeys visit.
Why it works High elevation and proximity to the park; transport works best with resort logistics.

Sample day plan: Ski AM → Early PM monkeys → Return to slopes or hotel onsen.

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Make It Easy with a Private Tour

• Door-to-door pick-up/drop-off from any of these bases
• Flexible pace for families & seniors
• Luggage handling and warm-up breaks in winter
• Crowd-savvy timing to dodge tour buses

Tip: If you’re basing in Karuizawa or Hakuba, consider an early departure or a relaxed two-day plan.

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Best Hotels by Area

Nagano City — Top 8 (best for flexible Snow Monkey access)

Station access & business-class comfort. Great for day trips to Snow Monkeys.

1. Hotel Metropolitan Nagano directly connected to JR Nagano
2. Hotel JAL City Nagano on Zenkoji avenue
3. Dormy Inn Nagano rooftop onsen, 1 min to station
4. Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel 1 min from station
5. The Saihokukan Hotel classic city hotel between station & Zenkoji
6. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi 2–3 min to JR
7. Chisun Grand Nagano 5 min to JR
8. Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa onsen resort near Matsushiro

Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen — Best 5 (for onsen town vibes near the monkeys)

1. Aburaya Tousen (Yudanaka) modern ryokan, view baths
2. Kokuya (Shibu Onsen) 9 spring-fed baths, 400+ yrs
3. Kanaguya (Shibu Onsen) historic architecture
4. Shibu Hotel cozy, family-run
5. Biyu no Yado (Yudanaka) private rooftop onsen options

Hakuba — Best 5 (for ski resorts & alpine base)

1. Hakuba Tokyu Hotel grand resort hotel
2. Hotel La Neige Higashi-kan boutique, forest setting
3. Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba onsen & big grounds
4. Hakuba Mominoki Hotel near Happo, natural onsen
5. Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba modern, some rooms w/ private baths

Karuizawa — Best 5 (for design hotels & easy Tokyo access)

1. HOSHINOYA Karuizawa nature luxury
2. The Prince Karuizawa quiet, refined
3. Karuizawa Prince Hotel East hot spring & spa, near outlet
4. Hotel Indigo Karuizawa stylish, new-build
5. Karuizawa Marriott Hotel cottages w/ open-air baths

Matsumoto — Best 5 (castle town & art)

1. Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu classic, near castle
2. Hotel Shoho hilltop onsen resort
3. Dormy Inn Matsumoto station-side, onsen
4. Richmond Hotel Matsumoto value & location
5. Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel in the castle district

Nozawa Onsen — Best 5 (ski village w/ 13 public baths)

1. Ryokan Sakaya flagship ryokan, superb baths
2. Nozawa Grand Hotel open-air onsen w/ views
3. Address Nozawa serviced apartments + onsen
4. Kawamotoya modern suites, private baths
5. Sakaya Hanare JON NOBI luxury condo-style

Myoko — Best 5 (deep snow & classic ski heritage)

1. Akakura Kanko Hotel iconic slope-side hotel
2. LOTTE Arai Resort big-mountain resort
3. Hotel Taiko onsen with views
4. Akakura Hotel multiple natural hot springs
5. The Address Akakura aparthotel near lifts