Snow Monkeys Park Tour and Ebisu-ko Fireworks Fest in Nagano

5.0 (7 reviews) 10 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

7 reviews

5.0

The Fireworks of the Ebisu-ko Festival — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Japan's largest and most stunning autumn fireworks display. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

With over 15,000 individual fireworks lighting-up the crisp autumn sky, Nagano’s annual Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival attracts over 400,000 people to the city to watch this amazing spectacle. As Japan’s largest and most beautiful autumn fireworks display, this tour includes reserved seating at the event with a visit to Nagano’s world-famous Snow Monkey Park – home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs – and late lunch at one of the region’s best restaurants. This once a year tour is one of our most popular and is sure to leave a lasting impression long after the fireworks fade away!

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Night Tours Involves Animals Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 50 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Reserved seat at the Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival
Included: Transportation fee from Nagano to the Snow Monkey Park and between activities/attractions
Included: Lunch (vegetarian options are available, please let us know beforehand)
Included: Entry ticket to the Jigokudani Monkey Park
Included: English-speaking guide

Not included

Not included: Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train' tickets
Not included: Dinner (there are many vendors at the festival so you can choose freely from what is available there)
Not included: Accommodation
Not included: Additional food, snacks & drinks

Itinerary

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

one hour Admission included

Established in 1964, Nagano's world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the entire world known to bathe in hot springs. With no barriers between you and the monkeys (don't worry, they are very calm) this is a unique opportunity to observe these curious creatures in close proximity as the walk about you, wrestle with each other, endlessly groom, and of course, soak in their favorite hot spring! Your guide will introduce you to everything that makes them so unique and famous while giving you plenty of time to explore for yourself.
Stop 2

one hour

Having visited the monkeys, enjoy a well-earned late lunch at Hotaru-tei - one of the region's best restaurants. Housed in a 170-year-old historic mansion, the traditional aesthetic of the restaurant is sure to heighten your enjoyment of Japan and Nagano's renowned food culture. Your guide will accompany you to the restaurant and is always happy to talk all things food!
Stop 3

3 hours Admission included

Originally held in 1899 by a small group of local merchants, Nagano's annual Ebisu-ko Fireworks Festival has grown into Japan's largest autumn fireworks display, attracting an estimated 430,000 spectators to watch more than 15,000 individual fireworks burst into light in the night sky over the course of two hours. Taking place at Saigawa Kasenjiki Park, your booking includes a reserved 'Ebisu Seat', from where you'll have a great view of the show. Your guide will get you seated and comfortable and explain the lay-out of the grounds, in time for one of Japan's most spectacular annual events.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Your guide will meet you inside the station, in front of large Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen / Bullet Train ticket gates at 11:00. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please be at the meet-up early so that the tour can depart on-time.

End point

Your guide will meet you inside the station, in front of large Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen / Bullet Train ticket gates at 11:00. They will be wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please be at the meet-up early so that the tour can depart on-time.

Using your ticket

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Please wear warm clothing appropriate for cold night time temperatures including the possibility of snow

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
It will be cold in the end of November in Nagano with a possibility of snowfall and temperatures falling below 0°C at night. The cold is especially apparent at night so please wear warm clothes fit for winter. During the fireworks display, you will be sitting for extended periods at which time you might really start to feel cold. Please feel free to bring anything you need to stay warm. During other parts of the tour, you are free to leave anything you don’t need on the tour bus.
There will be a lot of walking on paved and unpaved roads so please wear suitable shoes.
Guests are required to follow the Snow Monkey Park rules at all times. Guests are not permitted to touch, hold, feed or bathe with the monkeys at any time. There are no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors to the park. Please ensure you keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters between yourself and the monkeys. Your guide will explain the rules prior to entering the park.
There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park, arrive late or leave early. While this unlikely, it is possible and is outside of our control.
There will be a lot of people leaving for places like Tokyo and Kanazawa after the festival. It is expected to be very busy so be sure to book either your Shinkansen tickets or your hotel in/around Nagano in advance. You can book the following train services after the tour: Nagano: 21:46 – Tokyo: 23:24 – Hakutaka / Nagano: 22:08 – Tokyo: 23:32 – Kagayaki (reserved seats only) / Nagano: 21:21 – Kanazawa: 22:30 – Kagayaki (reserved seats only) / Nagano: 21:54 – Kanazawa: 23:21 – Hakutaka / Nagano: 22:28 – Kanazawa: 23:35 – Kagayaki (reserved seats only)
This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travellers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
The remaining amount of time is allocated to free time, meal and transport
Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.