One Life Japan

Snow Monkeys, Obuse, & Zenkoji Temple

Visit three of Northern Nagano's main attractions - the Snow Monkeys, traditional Obuse Town and ukiou-e museum, and famous Zenkoji temple. This trip offers ample free time to explore and shop for high-quality goods in down-town Nagano's art and traditional craft boutiques at your own pace.

Aproximate Schedule

• 8:45 Pick-up at Nozawa Onsen
• 9:45 Arrive Monkey Parking Area
• 11:20 Depart Monkey Parking Area
• 11:45 Obuse Museum, lunch, shopping
• 13:45 Depart Obuse
• 14:30 Zenkoji
• 16:30 Depart Zenkoji
• 17:50 Arrive Nozawa

Highlights:

Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaques)

Japan's "Snow Monkeys" are the northernmost living primate on earth - at least that don't wear clothes. The hot-springs of Jigokudani is frequented by a troop of about 150 monkeys where researchers obesrve and learn about the monkey's society. The monkeys are wild, living in the surrounding Joshinetsu National Park, but they visit the hotsprings almost daily.

The monkey observation parking area is a one-hour drive from Nozawa Onsen, passing through small farming villages where you will hear about what life is like for the rural thirty percenty of Japan's population, and why this region of Japan is known as "Snow Country" - one of the snowiest permanently inhabited areas in the world.

From the parking lot, we will take a thirty-minute walk along a beautifully forested trail where you will learn about some of the plants and animals that share this area with the monkeys. The terrain is not steep, but there is snow on the path throughout the winter so you will want to dress accordingly to keep your feet warm.

Once at the monkey obesrvation area you will have plenty of time to explore the immediate area, watch and photograph the monkeys. Because you will be spending much of the time standing outside, it is important to bring an extra layer or two to keep warm. There is also a small heated hut and ranger station where you can enjoy a cup of hot-coffee, tea, or cocoa and read informative books and displays about the monkeys and the area.

Obuse Town

Obuse is a small rural, yet trend-setting village on the outskirts of the greater Nagano City urban area. The village center is highlighted be beautifully renovated rural architecture, a sake brewery, tasting area, and resteraunt, and many small artisen shops and eateries.

Also at the town center is the Hokusai Ukiyo-e Museum. This is a must see collection of Japan's most famous Ukiyo-e (paintings of the "floating world") painter.

Our stop in Obuse allows plenty of time to enjoy a sit down lunch at one of the local shops, or just grab a traditional o-yaki dumpling to snack on as you browse the shops, gardens, and enjoy the arcitecture and atmosphere of the area.

Nagano City & Zenkoji Temple

Nagano City is developed and centered around Zenkō-ji, a 1,400 year-old Buddhist temple, National Treasure, and home to what is believed to be the first statue of Buddha ever broguht to Japan from India.

Zenkō-ji is unique in that it is home to two sects of Japanese Buddhism and one of the last major pilgrimage destinations in Japan. In addition to enjoying the historic architecture Buddhist images, you may also have an opportunity to join pilgrims from all over Japan that visit Zenkō-ji each year to ensure salvation by touching the Key to Paradise located in a pitch black passageway under the main altar.

The neighborhoods and streets surounding the temple are lined with traditional-style Japanese arcitecture, cafes, food stalls, and boutique shops selling modern and traditional Japanese art and hand-crafts.

Nagano Station and urban business center is a ten minute walk from the Temple. Here you can find more modern department stores, restaurants, and shopping areas that cater to the more practical every-day shopping needs of Japanese society.

Price:

13,000 Yen / person*
8:45 - 17:50 (9hrs)

Price Includes:

• Transportation
• Guide
• Entrance to Monkey Park

NOTE: To allow for maximum flexibilty for you to use your time as you wish, price does not include lunch, entrance to Ukiyo-e Museum (500 yen), or Zenkoji Temple(500 yen). For those who choose to join in viewing these attractions, Your guide will assist in purchasing tickets.

To Reserve

Call: 090-3337-3248
Email: tours@onelifejapan.com
Or ask your inn-keeper to make the reservation.

Monkeys, Obuse, & Japanese Supermarket

See the Snow Monkeys, traditional Obuse Town and ukiou-e museum, and get a guided tour of a large Japanese supermarket for a chance to see and learn about all those strange things you never knew you could eat!

Aproximate Schedule

• 9:45 Pick-up at Nozawa Onsen
• 10:45 Arrive Monkey Parking Area
• 12:20 Depart Monkey Parking Area
• 12:45 Obuse Museum, lunch, shopping
• 14:45 Depart Obuse
• 15:00 Shopping Center, 100 Yen Shop
• 15:45 Japanese Supermarket & Tour
• 16:30 Depart for Nozawa
• 17:20 Arrive Nozawa

Highlights:

Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaques)

Japan's "Snow Monkeys" are the northernmost living primate on earth - at least that don't wear clothes. The hot-springs of Jigokudani is frequented by a troop of about 150 monkeys where researchers obesrve and learn about the monkey's society. The monkeys are wild, living in the surrounding Joshinetsu National Park, but they visit the hotsprings almost daily.

The monkey observation parking area is a one-hour drive from Nozawa Onsen, passing through small farming villages where you will hear about what life is like for the rural thirty percenty of Japan's population, and why this region of Japan is known as "Snow Country" - one of the snowiest permanently inhabited areas in the world.

From the parking lot, we will take a thirty-minute walk along a beautifully forested trail where you will learn about some of the plants and animals that share this area with the monkeys. The terrain is not steep, but there is snow on the path throughout the winter so you will want to dress accordingly to keep your feet warm.

Once at the monkey obesrvation area you will have plenty of time to explore the immediate area, watch and photograph the monkeys. Because you will be spending much of the time standing outside, it is important to bring an extra layer or two to keep warm. There is also a small heated hut and ranger station where you can enjoy a cup of hot-coffee, tea, or cocoa and read informative books and displays about the monkeys and the area.

Obuse Town

Obuse is a small rural, yet trend-setting village on the outskirts of the greater Nagano City urban area. The village center is highlighted be beautifully renovated rural architecture, a sake brewery, tasting area, and resteraunt, and many small artisen shops and eateries.

Also at the town center is the Hokusai Ukiyo-e Museum. This is a must see collection of Japan's most famous Ukiyo-e (paintings of the "floating world") painter.

Our stop in Obuse allows plenty of time to enjoy a sit down lunch at one of the local shops, or just grab a traditional o-yaki dumpling to snack on as you browse the shops, gardens, and enjoy the arcitecture and atmosphere of the area.

Japanese Shopping Center and Supermarket

The best way to learn about a foreign culture is to visit the shops where regular people spend their money on real-life daily needs. We will take you to visit a local store of one of the largest Supermarket and retail chain store in Japan.

Wander around on your own, or keep your guide close at hand to answer any questions and give commentary about the role items play in every-day Japanese life and diet.

Not only will you see things you never knew you could put into your mouth, but you will have plenty of time for gift-shopping at the supermarket and at one of the ubiquitous 100-Yen (dollar) Shops that have become a staple of Japanese life.

Price:

10,000 Yen / person*
8:45 - 17:50 (9hrs)

Price Includes:

• Transportation
• Guide
• Entrance to Monkey Park

NOTE: To allow for maximum flexibilty for you to use your time as you wish, price does not include lunch or entrance to Ukiyo-e Museum (500 yen). For those who choose to join in viewing these attractions, Your guide will join and assist in purchasing tickets.

To Reserve

Call: 090-3337-3248
Email: tours@onelifejapan.com
Or ask your inn-keeper to make the reservation.

Snow Monkeys, Traditional Washi Paper Studio, Hot-Spring & Soba, Japanese Super-Market & Retail Shopping Center

Visit three of Northern Nagano's main attractions - the Snow Monkeys, traditional Obuse Town and ukiou-e museum, and famous Zenkoji temple. This trip offers ample free time to explore and shop for high-quality goods in down-town Nagano's art and traditional craft boutiques at your own pace.

Aproximate Schedule

• 8:45 Pick-up at Nozawa Onsen
• 9:45 Arrive Monkey Parking Area
• 11:20 Depart Monkey Parking Area
• 12:20 Soba Lunch & Bath at Maguse Onsen
• 13:45 - 15:00 Uchiyama Village & Traditional Japanese Washi Paper Studio
• 15:30 - 17:00 Japanese Super-Market & Retail Shopping Center
• 17:30 Arrive Nozawa

Highlights:

Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaques)

Japan's "Snow Monkeys" are the northernmost living primate on earth - at least that don't wear clothes. The hot-springs of Jigokudani is frequented by a troop of about 150 monkeys where researchers obesrve and learn about the monkey's society. The monkeys are wild, living in the surrounding Joshinetsu National Park, but they visit the hotsprings almost daily.

The monkey observation parking area is a one-hour drive from Nozawa Onsen, passing through small farming villages where you will hear about what life is like for the rural thirty percenty of Japan's population, and why this region of Japan is known as "Snow Country" - one of the snowiest permanently inhabited areas in the world.

From the parking lot, we will take a thirty-minute walk along a beautifully forested trail where you will learn about some of the plants and animals that share this area with the monkeys. The terrain is not steep, but there is snow on the path throughout the winter so you will want to dress accordingly to keep your feet warm.

Once at the monkey obesrvation area you will have plenty of time to explore the immediate area, watch and photograph the monkeys. Because you will be spending much of the time standing outside, it is important to bring an extra layer or two to keep warm. There is also a small heated hut and ranger station where you can enjoy a cup of hot-coffee, tea, or cocoa and read informative books and displays about the monkeys and the area.

Obuse Town

Obuse is a small rural, yet trend-setting village on the outskirts of the greater Nagano City urban area. The village center is highlighted be beautifully renovated rural architecture, a sake brewery, tasting area, and resteraunt, and many small artisen shops and eateries.

Also at the town center is the Hokusai Ukiyo-e Museum. This is a must see collection of Japan's most famous Ukiyo-e (paintings of the "floating world") painter.

Our stop in Obuse allows plenty of time to enjoy a sit down lunch at one of the local shops, or just grab a traditional o-yaki dumpling to snack on as you browse the shops, gardens, and enjoy the arcitecture and atmosphere of the area.

Nagano City & Zenkoji Temple

Nagano City is developed and centered around Zenkō-ji, a 1,400 year-old Buddhist temple, National Treasure, and home to what is believed to be the first statue of Buddha ever broguht to Japan from India.

Zenkō-ji is unique in that it is home to two sects of Japanese Buddhism and one of the last major pilgrimage destinations in Japan. In addition to enjoying the historic architecture Buddhist images, you may also have an opportunity to join pilgrims from all over Japan that visit Zenkō-ji each year to ensure salvation by touching the Key to Paradise located in a pitch black passageway under the main altar.

The neighborhoods and streets surounding the temple are lined with traditional-style Japanese arcitecture, cafes, food stalls, and boutique shops selling modern and traditional Japanese art and hand-crafts.

Nagano Station and urban business center is a ten minute walk from the Temple. Here you can find more modern department stores, restaurants, and shopping areas that cater to the more practical every-day shopping needs of Japanese society.

Price:

13,000 Yen / person*
8:45 - 17:50 (9hrs)

Price Includes:

• Transportation
• Guide
• Entrance to Monkey Park

NOTE: To allow for maximum flexibilty for you to use your time as you wish, price does not include lunch, entrance to Ukiyo-e Museum (500 yen), or Zenkoji Temple(500 yen). For those who choose to join in viewing these attractions, Your guide will assist in purchasing tickets.

To Reserve

Call: 090-3337-3248
Email: tours@onelifejapan.com
Or ask your inn-keeper to make the reservation.

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