Published on Apr, 2025
Our tour of snow monkey park luckily coincided with cherry blossom viewing time, so we booked this organised tour to give our brains a break from doing all the legwork ourselves. Kevin, our guide, was professional yet relaxed, informative and ensured everything ran on schedule. We went on a 45 seat bus to the Jigokudani snow monkey Park, where after the drop off point you walk a couple of kilometres at your own speed into the park proper, past forest and a small geyser to the onsen pool where the snow monkeys relax and play. Took so many photos! There were a couple of tiny remnants of snow along the path in April. Bring warm clothes. After an hour or two, we went back down at our own speed to meet Kevin and had an unexpectedly super delicious and large lunch in a heritage building. Tempura, sushi, miso soup and a broth with choice of seafood, meat or vegetarian components were on offer.
Then the tour company had chosen Ueda castle for our cherry blossom viewing, as this coincided with Ueda's food stall fair at the castle moat. The bus took enough time to get there that the majority of passengers had a power nap. At Ueda, again we wandered at our leisure for an hour taking a multitude of photos of combinations of blossom, historical castle with its gates and shrines and high look outs over Ueda city, and locals walking their impossibly cute dogs around the stalls.
Back on the bus for the smooth hour drive back to Nagano and to reflect on a memorable day. Very happy to recommend!
