# Snow Trips from Tokyo: Karuizawa, Nagano Snow Monkeys, Sledding near Mt. Fuji | Private Guide

URL: https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/tokyo-anime-guide/snow-trips/
Idioma: en

> See real snow on a day trip from Tokyo with a private guide: skiing and sledding in Karuizawa (about an hour by shinkansen), the Jigokudani snow monkeys in Nagano and snow at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Seasons, trains and what to wear.

(A snow monkey in a hot spring at Jigokudani)
Photo: [Stanislav Beloglazov](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20111126_Japan_SB_2067.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0

[Iheb](https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/tokyo-anime-guide/) · Snow

# Snow from Tokyo: sledding, skiing and snow monkeys

Tokyo rarely gets snow, but it is an hour away by train. From December to March, the families’ favorite day.

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Three snow days from Tokyo are easy: Karuizawa, about 1 h 10 by shinkansen, with a ski slope next to the station and a big outlet mall; the Jigokudani snow monkeys bathing in hot springs near Nagano (about 1 h 20 by shinkansen, then a bus and a 30-minute forest walk); and snow at the foot of Mt. Fuji on the Shizuoka or Kawaguchiko side, with sledding for kids. January and February are the best months.

## 1. Karuizawa: skiing, sledding and shopping

- **Getting there:** Hokuriku shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno, about 1 h 10.
- **On site:** the Karuizawa Prince Hotel ski area sits right by the station, with gentle beginner slopes and a kids’ snow area.
- **Shopping:** the large Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is in the same place.

## 2. The Nagano snow monkeys

- **Getting there:** shinkansen to Nagano (about 1 h 20), then a bus and a 30-minute walk on a forest trail that is often snowy.
- **The scene:** wild macaques warming up in a hot spring surrounded by snow.
- **Tip:** boots with grip or snow boots; Iheb tells you where to rent them.

## 3. Snow at the foot of Mt. Fuji

On the Shizuoka side (near Gotemba) and the Kawaguchiko side, small snow parks open from late autumn to early spring, with sledding and snow play for kids and Fuji right above you. It pairs well with Hakone or the lakes.

## What to wear, where to pray

- **Clothes:** snow suits, gloves and boots can be rented on site; bring warm base layers.
- **Prayer:** Iheb plans a warm, quiet place for the day’s prayers.
- **Meals:** fish, vegetable or halal dishes, chosen in advance.

## FAQ

Does it snow in Tokyo?

Rarely, and it melts fast. For real snow go to Karuizawa, Nagano or the Fuji area, one to two hours by train.

When can you see the snow monkeys?

All year, but with snow mostly in January and February.

Do we need to know how to ski?

No: sledding and snow play are plenty for kids, and instructors teach beginners.

## Read next

- [Hakone with a private onsen](https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/tokyo-anime-guide/hakone/)
- [Day trips from Tokyo](https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/tokyo-anime-guide/day-trips/)
- [Arabic-speaking guide for Gulf families](https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/arabic-speaking-guide-tokyo/)
- [Tokyo experiences](https://tonykansaiguide.com/en/tokyo-anime-guide/experiences/)

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