I took the Shinkansen to Nagano on a Tuesday in February, mostly on impulse. I had a free day, the tickets weren’t expensive with a rail pass, and I’d been hearing about the snow monkeys for months without ever actually going. By 5 PM I was back on the platform, slightly sunburned from the mountain reflection and carrying an onigiri I’d bought at the station, wondering why I’d waited so long.
Quick answer: Nagano makes a great day trip from Tokyo. The Shinkansen takes about 80 minutes, and one day is genuinely enough to visit Zenkoji Temple, catch the snow monkeys at Jigokudani, and walk the old town around the station. It’s one of the most rewarding day trips from Tokyo, especially in winter. A Japan Rail Pass covers the Shinkansen fare, which makes the numbers work out particularly well.
[Photo: Nagano winter scenery — snow-covered mountains or the approach to Zenkoji Temple]
Is Nagano Worth a Day Trip from Tokyo?
Yes, with some caveats. Nagano City itself is compact and easy to navigate, and the two headline attractions — Zenkoji Temple and Jigokudani Monkey Park — are both genuinely excellent. The issue is time: Jigokudani is about 40 minutes from the city by rail and bus, which means a round trip eats up a solid two hours of your day before you’ve seen anything else.
The practical solution is to pick your priority. If snow monkeys are the main reason you’re going, make them the morning activity and spend the afternoon at Zenkoji and around the city. If you want more time in the city and the temple, skip Jigokudani or save it for when you have more time.
How to Get from Tokyo to Nagano
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. The journey is about 80 minutes to Nagano Station, and trains run frequently throughout the day. For a full breakdown of Shinkansen routes and booking tips, see our Shinkansen complete guide.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is covered — the Nagano day trip essentially becomes free transit-wise. That’s one of the better JR Pass use cases if you’re already traveling around Japan. If you’re buying individual tickets, expect around ¥8,000–8,500 each way. Our JR Pass complete guide breaks down whether the pass makes financial sense for your trip.
From Nagano Station, Zenkoji Temple is a 15-minute walk or a short taxi. Jigokudani Monkey Park requires the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka (about 35 minutes) and then a bus or taxi to the park entrance.
One Day in Nagano: Suggested Schedule
7:30 AM — Depart Tokyo Station on early Shinkansen
9:00 AM — Arrive Nagano Station
9:15 AM — Head directly to Jigokudani (train to Yudanaka, then bus)
10:30 AM — Jigokudani Monkey Park (allow 60–90 minutes)
12:30 PM — Return to Nagano city, lunch near Zenkoji
2:00 PM — Zenkoji Temple
3:30 PM — Nakamonzen Street and old town walk
5:00 PM — Nagano Station, Shinkansen back to Tokyo
6:30 PM — Back in Tokyo
Jigokudani Monkey Park: What to Expect
[Photo: Japanese macaques soaking in the outdoor hot spring at Jigokudani, surrounded by snow]
The official name is Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (地獄谷野猿公苑), home to a troop of Japanese macaques who have made a habit of soaking in an outdoor hot spring pool. The name “Hell Valley” comes from the steep cliffs, boiling springs, and steam that rises constantly through the snow-covered forest. The monkeys are entirely unfazed by all of it.
Getting there: Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka Station (about 35 minutes from Nagano), then the Shiga Kogen Forest Bus toward Kanbayashi Onsen, then a 2 km walk through forested trail to the park. The walk is pleasant in good weather but can be slippery in winter — wear shoes with real grip. Taxis are available from Yudanaka for those who’d rather skip the bus. Total from Nagano Station: about 50–60 minutes.
- Entry fee: ¥800 for adults
- Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM daily (last entry 3:30 PM)
- Best season: December–March, when cold weather encourages the monkeys to bathe most frequently
- No feeding or touching — they’re wild and will react if approached too closely
- No large bags inside the park; lockers available near the entrance
February tends to be the sweet spot: snow on the ground, steam rising from the pool, monkeys completely unbothered by visitors with cameras six feet away. On warmer days fewer will bother with the water, so winter is strongly the better season for this one.
Zenkoji Temple: Nagano’s Heart
Zenkoji (善光寺) is one of Japan’s most significant Buddhist temples, founded over 1,400 years ago. It houses what is said to be Japan’s oldest Buddha statue — though the image itself is hidden and displayed only once every seven years. The next public viewing is in 2028 if you want to plan ahead.
The temple approach (Omotesando) is a long, sloping path lined with shops, inns, and smaller shrines. Walk the full length rather than taking a cab directly to the main hall — the approach is part of the experience. The inner sanctuary beneath the main hall has a famous pitch-black underground corridor where you navigate entirely by touch to find a key said to grant salvation. It’s disorienting and memorable in equal measure.
[Photo: Zenkoji Temple main hall or the lantern-lined Omotesando approach]
- Main hall: Opens from early morning (often 5:30 AM for morning service)
- Inner sanctuary fee: ¥500
- From Nagano Station: 15-minute walk or short taxi
- Coin lockers available near the temple for bags
What Else Is Worth Seeing?
If you have time after Zenkoji, the streets around the temple — particularly Nakamonzen and Zenkoji-dori — have a good mix of old craft shops, sake breweries, and local food worth wandering through.
Oyaki are Nagano’s most distinctive snack: stuffed dumplings filled with vegetables or bean paste, baked or steamed, sold at several spots along the approach. They taste considerably better than they look.
[Photo: Oyaki dumplings on a wooden tray with Nagano mountain scenery backdrop]
Nagano Station has a solid selection of regional souvenirs if you want to pick up something before the return Shinkansen — miso, soba, and local sake are all well-represented in the station food hall.
Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It for This Trip?
If Nagano is one stop on a longer Japan itinerary, the math works in your favor quickly. The Shinkansen round trip alone (Tokyo–Nagano) costs roughly ¥16,000–17,000 in individual tickets. A 7-day JR Pass covers this and every other JR journey during your trip.
For a trip that includes Tokyo day trips to places like Nagano, Nikko, Kamakura, or Hakone, the pass often pays for itself within two or three journeys. See the full breakdown in our JR Pass guide, or pick one up through Klook before you depart.
Staying connected for navigation and train schedules makes the day go significantly smoother — a Japan eSIM activates from the moment you land.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from Tokyo to Nagano?
About 80 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. Trains run frequently and are reliable year-round, including in heavy snow conditions.
Is one day enough for Nagano?
For Zenkoji Temple and Jigokudani Monkey Park together, one full day is enough if you start early with the 7:30 AM Shinkansen from Tokyo. If you want to add Matsumoto Castle (45 minutes from Nagano by train), you’d need an overnight stay or to skip one of the main sights.
When is the best time to visit Jigokudani?
December through March, when cold weather encourages more monkeys to use the hot spring. February tends to be the most photogenic — snow on the ground, monkeys soaking in clouds of steam. On warm days in summer or autumn, fewer monkeys will bother with the pool.
Can I visit Nagano without a Japan Rail Pass?
Yes — buy individual Shinkansen tickets at Tokyo Station or online. Expect around ¥8,000–8,500 each way. If this is your only long-distance train journey, individual tickets are perfectly fine. If you’re making multiple Shinkansen trips across Japan, the JR Pass typically pays for itself within a few journeys.
What’s the best way to get to Jigokudani from Nagano Station?
Take the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka Station (35 minutes), then the Shiga Kogen Forest Bus to the Kanbayashi Onsen area, then walk the 2 km forest trail to the park. Taxis are available from Yudanaka if you’d rather skip the bus. Total travel time from Nagano Station: 50–60 minutes.
Is Zenkoji worth visiting even without the hidden Buddha?
Absolutely. The main hall, the underground dark corridor, and the full temple approach are all worth your time regardless of whether the statue is on display. The next public viewing of the hidden Buddha is scheduled for 2028.
Is Nagano good in summer?
Yes, though different. Jigokudani is less dramatic without snow and the monkeys use the hot spring less frequently in warm weather. Summer offers hiking in the surrounding Japanese Alps and temperatures noticeably cooler than Tokyo — a worthwhile tradeoff if you prefer to avoid winter conditions.
What should I eat in Nagano?
Oyaki (stuffed baked or steamed dumplings) along the Zenkoji approach. Soba — Nagano is one of Japan’s finest soba-producing regions. Miso — the prefecture makes excellent varieties. All of these are available at the station food hall if you’re short on time before the return Shinkansen.
Published: May 2026 | Information current as of writing. Temple hours, park entry fees, and train schedules occasionally change — verify with official sites before your visit. All prices in Japanese yen (¥).