The Best Hotels & Ryokans to Stay Near Snow Monkey Park in Nagano
Visiting the famous snow monkeys of Nagano, Japan, is a bucket list experience—especially in winter!
A stay near Jigokudani Park, whether in an old ryokan or historic hotel, is the perfect setup and invitation to experience this quaint corner of Nagano at a slower pace.
While Nagano City, Hakuba, and Nozawa Onsen are all great places to base yourself in Nagano, there are options closer to the snow monkey park, such as Shibu Onsen, offering better convenience and proximity to nearby onsens, inns, and activities.
And while you can visit the snow monkeys year-round, the most magical experience is arguably in winter. I mean, just look at these photos I shot in mid-February of the snow monkeys under giant, flurry, fluffy snow! ❄️
Day trips from Tokyo to the snow monkeys are doable, but having stayed near the snow monkey park in Kanbayashi Onsen in winter, I highly recommend it for a more relaxed pace.
If you prefer a slower experience, then staying near Jigokudani is perfect.
In this guide, I’ll share where we stayed, as well as the best hotels, ryokans, and nearby onsen towns ideal for visiting the famous, adorable snow monkeys of Nagano, Japan.
Best Places to Stay Near the Snow Monkeys in Nagano
The best areas to stay that provide the most options in terms of ryokans, hotels, and activities, from closest to the snow monkey park to the farthest, are:
- Kanbayashi Onsen (town) — Nearest to the snow monkey park! A 15–20 minute walk along a forest trail from your ryokan or hotel.
- Shibu Onsen & Yudanaka Onsen (towns) — Just a 10-minute shuttle ride away, or a 40-minute walk.
- Shiga Kogen Ski Area — Hotels within the ski area offer buses that stop at the Snow Monkey Park bus stop near Kanbayashi Onsen.
- Obuse — An endearing “chestnut” village located halfway between Nagano City and Yudanaka.
- Nagano City — The most ideal city base with easy bus transfer to Jigokudani.
Below, you’ll find overviews of accommodations, pros and cons, and what to do in each place.
1. Kanbayashi Onsen (Closest Hotels Near Jigokudani)
Kanbayashi Onsen acts as the village and gateway to the Snow Monkey Park.
From this town, you can reach the Jigokudani trailhead easily on foot just beyond the popular “snow monkey” Enza Café.
There are only a few ryokans and hotels in the area, as well as a few restaurants. Expect quiet and serene mornings surrounded by cedar forests and local residents!
The perk of choosing to stay here is that you won’t need any bus or shuttle transfers.
Ryokans here are luxurious, featuring gorgeous onsen baths, private tatami rooms, and regional kaiseki meals.
Top stays in Kanbayashi Onsen:
Senjukaku Ryokan is a beautiful ryokan located just a 10-minute walk from the Snow Monkey Park trailhead. Highlights include spacious tatami rooms, private indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, and exquisite kaiseki dinners with Nagano specialties—the best nearest hotel option!
Minshuku Miyama is a ryokan located a short distance from the Jigokudani trailhead. It’s a tucked-away gem and a family-run guesthouse. It offers simpler tatami rooms, home-cooked meals, and a lovely open-air bath (we visited as non-guests multiple times!)—the best option for a ryokan near Jigokudani without the high price tag.
As such, due to its proximity to the popular snow monkey park, Senjukaku and other hotels book up FAST! There was no availability when I searched, so I recommend booking in advance to ensure a spot.
We ended up staying at a nearby shared house with Suzi and Toru, just a walk beyond the Snow Monkey bus park stop.
If you want to stay near the snow monkeys and be close to the ski area, I recommend Kanbayashi, especially for a weekend of skiing in Shiga Kogen.
2. Shibu & Yudanaka (Historic Onsen Towns & Traditional Ryokans)
The next best place to stay near Jigokudani would be in Shibu Onsen town (historic inns and bathhouses), or Yudanaka Onsen town (convenient bus/train hub).
Shibu Onsen
Yudanaka is where you’ll catch any trains or buses to or from Nagano City, but the town itself kind of blends into its neighbor, Shibu Onsen, which feels more historic and intimate in comparison.
I’d say, just based on atmosphere/vibe alone, plus the array of historic ryokans in Shibu Onsen makes for a better choice. However, if you want more convenient train/bus access to other destinations and ski areas in Nagano, Yudanaka might be the ultimate choice.
If you’re just intent on staying close to the snow monkeys, though, while still having bus options and ryokans with baths, then you can’t go wrong with either Shibu Onsen or Yudanaka Onsen. Really!
These ryokans below also offer free shuttle connections from the inns to the Snow Monkey Park, so either way, it’s simple for you to get there!
You can also walk from these towns to Jigokudani; however, it is a bit of a trek (40 minutes).
Top choices for staying in Shibu Onsen:
Suminoyu Ryokan is a charming traditional inn in the heart of Shibu Onsen. This is one of the better-rated ryokans in the area, offering classic tatami rooms, private and public baths fed by the town’s natural hot springs, and beautifully presented kaiseki dinners. They offer free access to all nine public baths and shuttles to Jigokudani.
Koishiya Ryokan is a more budget-friendly inn option in town, located in a renovated historic building along Shibu Onsen’s main street. The rooms combine Japanese and Western comforts, featuring an on-site cafe and bar. Probably best for backpackers or couples looking to pinch a few pennies.
Yudanaka Onsen
Yudanaka Onsen is arguably the best for its train access, with the Nagano Dentetsu line ending at Yudanaka Station.
If you’re traveling without a rental car (international driver’s permit required), then Yudanaka is convenient because it does not require too many transfers. Buses and taxis can take you to Jigokudani in 10-15 minutes.
Recommended stays in Yudanaka:
- Ryokan Biyunoyado — has a rooftop onsen with mountain views, shuttle to the park!
- Seifuso — my top choice; family-run, affordable, and loved by guests
- Shimaya Ryokan — a budget-friendly option with kind owners offering free rides to the monkey park.
Either Yudanaka or Shibu is best for combining a visit to the snow monkeys with a ski/snowboard trip at Shiga Kogen.
Nagano City (Best Base for Snow Monkey Day Trips)
If you’re seeking more convenience and city life, consider Nagano City as your base for visiting Jigokudani on a guided day trip.
The perk of staying in Nagano is, first and foremost, convenience. From Nagano City, you can go anywhere with multiple Shinkansen bullet trains to Tokyo (and Kyoto and Osaka), plus buses and shuttles.
The second reason to stay in Nagano is the array of activities beyond visiting the snow monkeys on a day trip. From Zenkoji Temple to workshops to hiking, there’s a lot to do in and around the city.
There’s even this cool tour option that combines seeing the snow monkeys, touring Zenkoji, and experiencing a sake tasting from Nagano!
We stayed in Nagano City for a couple of days in winter, but preferred staying in Matsumoto as digital nomads.
Another nearby option for accommodation, with a smaller village-like atmosphere, is Obuse (“Chestnut Town”), boasting a rich history and the famous Hokusai Museum.
Similarly, you could consider staying in Shiga Kogen. It’s definitely best for skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking in summer, but you can couple it with a visit to see the snow monkeys.
However, because Obuse and Shiga area a bit further removed from the immediate snow monkey park area, I wouldn’t recommend or prioritize them if your priority is a slower, closer experience nearby the Japanese macaques!
Final Thoughts: Which Area is Best to Stay Near Jigokudani?
Ultimately, where to stay near the snow monkeys depends on your priorities. Ski and snow monkeys? Then pick around Kanbayashi.
For historic ryokans and public baths? Choose Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen.
For convenience and transport access, pick Nagano City.
A few final notes to take away:
- Book accommodation early in winter (December–March peak for seeing the monkeys under snowfall).
- Check bus schedules in advance and watch the snow monkey cams (they may change schedules and visitation days).
- Bring snow boots and layers in winter
No matter where you choose to stay, aim to plan for at least 4–5 nights in the area, so you can combine your visit to Jigokudani with a trip to Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, or Shiga Kogen for skiing/snowboarding.
This is what we did in mid-February, and we had a wonderful, magical morning visiting the snow monkeys as they soaked in hot springs under fluffy snowfall, while being near public onsens and footbaths, cozy restaurants, and taking walks in town, and enjoying the slopes of Shiga Kogen!
🙊 You can read more information on how to visit the snow monkeys in my guide!
Do you have any questions about staying near Jigokudani? Ask away in the comments!
