Yudanaka Township

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Downtown Yudanaka; an authentic Japanese town
Downtown Yudanaka; an authentic Japanese town
Yudanaka is famous for its snow monkeys often found wandering the streets
Yudanaka is famous for its snow monkeys often found wandering the streets
Yudanaka is a great base for Shiga Kogen & many other nearby resorts
Yudanaka is a great base for Shiga Kogen & many other nearby resorts
There are many hot springs (onsens) in and around Yudanaka
There are many hot springs (onsens) in and around Yudanaka
Snow monkey onsen near Yudanaka
Snow monkey onsen near Yudanaka
Yudanaka brews some spectacular sake
Yudanaka brews some spectacular sake
The hot springs are used for many purposes including cooking
The hot springs are used for many purposes including cooking
The Monkey Onsen near Yudanaka is a must do
The Monkey Onsen near Yudanaka is a must do
Yudanaka has some lovely traditional ryokan-style accommodation
Yudanaka has some lovely traditional ryokan-style accommodation
The streets of Yudanaka are lit up at night time
The streets of Yudanaka are lit up at night time
Shibu Onsen is a traditional Japanese village about 15 mins walk away
Shibu Onsen is a traditional Japanese village about 15 mins walk away
Visiting the onsens is a daily ritual for many people
Visiting the onsens is a daily ritual for many people
One of the many public onsens at Shibu
One of the many public onsens at Shibu
Yudanaka is starting to see many new restaurants
Yudanaka is starting to see many new restaurants
And there are several bars around Yudanaka
And there are several bars around Yudanaka
Yudanaka is a unique Japanese experience
Yudanaka is a unique Japanese experience
Oh and did we mention the monkeys hanging around town
Oh and did we mention the monkeys hanging around town
Another Shibu village onsen
Another Shibu village onsen
This is a great little town for those wanting a more Japanese experience
This is a great little town for those wanting a more Japanese experience

Yudanaka Township

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Yudanaka

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Yudanaka

Yudanaka Japan is commonly known as “snow monkey town” and is one of the areas in Yamanouchi along with Shibu Onsen, Shiga Kogen, and of course the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park that features about 200 snow monkeys that play and keep warm in the onsen. Yudanaka Onsen is also renowned for the many onsen for humans, the traditional Japanese experience on offer, and the easy access it provides to many of the ski resorts around Nagano (and parts of Niigata).

Where is Yudanaka Nagano?

Part of the town of Yamanouchi, Yudanaka (aka Yudanaka Onsen) is the region around the Yudanaka train station. Yudanaka is located in the Nagano Prefecture, 30 km northeast of Nagano City. The adjacent village of Shibu Onsen is 2km from the Yudanaka train station.

Ski Resorts Near Yudanaka

Yudanaka sits at the base of Shiga Kogen, with a 14km windy road that leads up to Sun Valley, the first of the Shiga ski areas. Okushiga-kogen, the most northern part of Shiga Kogen, is 25km from Yudanaka, whilst Yokoteyama at the southern end of Shiga is 20km from Yudanaka.

The drive from Yudanaka Onsen up to the main part of Shiga Kogen takes about 30 minutes. There is also a regular inexpensive bus service from Yudanaka train station to Shiga Kogen, although it takes a long time if you want to head to one of the outer Shiga ski areas because the bus makes many stops.

Yudanaka Nagano also makes a great base to explore the other nearby ski resorts, particularly if you have a rental car or are on a multi-resort tour.

Distances from Yudanaka Japan:
  • Ryuoo – 10km northeast
  • Kijimadaira (Kita Shinshū Kijimadaira), one of the four interconnected Mt Kosha ski resorts along with Yomase Onsen, Yamabiko no Oka, and X-Jam Takaifuji - 14.5km north
  • Nozawa Onsen – 28km north
  • Togari Onsen – 26km north (a little west of Nozawa)
  • Madarao (interconnected with Tangram) – 26km northwest
  • Tangram (interconnected with Madarao) – 32km northwest
  • Togakushi – 46km west
  • Akakura (of Myoko Kogen) – 39km northwest
  • Seki Onsen (of Myoko Kogen) – 50km northwest
  • Lotte Arai - 59km northeast (1 hour)
  • Yamaboku - 28km southeast

Getting to Yudanaka

After catching a bullet train to Nagano (see routes, timetables and fares on google maps, Jorudan or Japan Navitime), you can catch a local train to Yudanaka on the Nagano Dentetsu line. The train from Nagano to Yudanaka takes about 45 minutes. Most of the hotels in town provide a train station pick up service, unless they are just a short walk away. 

Yudanaka Ryokan and Hotel Accommodation

Yudanaka accommodation ranges from inexpensive hostels up to deluxe hotels. There are various traditional Japanese ryokans as well as other hotels with traditional Japanese style accommodation with tatami flooring and futons on the floor. Only a few of the Yudanaka hotels have the option of western style accommodation. Most of the Yudanaka ryokans and hotels have an on-site onsen. Alternatively you can stay in a Shibu Onsen ryokan.

One of our top picks for Yudanaka accommodation is the Ryokan Biyunoyado, which offers tatami rooms, western rooms with a tatami seating area, and luxury suites with a private balcony onsen. All rooms have a private bathroom, or guests can bathe in the lovely onsen (includes open air baths). In addition to the general onsen, other opportunities to indulge in Japanese culture include a rooftop private onsen, traditional Japanese evening meals, taiko drum shows, and a karaoke room.

Another great pick is Lodge Aibiya, which is an upscale hostel with plenty of delightful Japanese décor and touches. The lodge has 4 bed dorm rooms with single beds (no bunks) and private rooms (twin, double, triple) with shared bathroom. There is also a deluxe room with an ensuite. Breakfast is provided and there is a fully equipped kitchen so you can DIY cooking for dinner.

Yudanaka Hotel Listings

Yudanaka Restaurants

There are many Yudanaka restaurants, including soba, udon, sushi, other Japanese dining, a Chinese restaurant, pizza, and a coffee shop. Most of the restaurants are small and cute.

With the influx of foreign visitors, new restaurants & bars are popping up all over the place.

Hakko Restaurant and Bar is open for lunch and dinner and specialises in meals using ‘hakko (=eight)’ fermented ingredients (miso, soy, sake, yoghurt, bread, pickles, malt and cheese) with lots of share plates. The bar has plenty of beers (including Shiga Kogen beer), sake and spirits.

Also near the station in the “green light district” where there are also about 30 little bars (mostly Thai and Philippine hostess bars) that have karaoke, food and ridiculously cheap beer – they compete hard for your business!

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Yudanaka" subcategory="Restaurants"] [AdListings collection="Japan" category="Yudanaka" subcategory="Bars"]

Other Facilities

Near the station there is a small grocery store, a Lawson convenience store, and a post office. There are no ski or snowboard shops in Yudanaka, and if you’re looking for rental equipment you’ll need to organise this at one of the ski resorts.

Activities

In addition to the onsen in the hotels, there are public baths and foot onsen in Yudanaka.

Other local activities include a stroll through the nearby village of Shibu Onsen. You can walk to Shibu Onsen from Yudanaka or there are frequent buses from the train station. This cute historic onsen village features traditional Japanese architecture, ryokans lining narrow cobblestone streets, laneways and little temples. Here you may see people clomping up and down the street dressed in yukata and wooden thongs on the way to one of the public onsens. It feels like the ultimate traditional Japanese cultural experience!

The sake museum Tamamura is worth a visit, at least to taste the many sake varietals on offer. Nearby is a brewery if beer is more your thing.

Of course the quintessential activity in Yamanouchi (other than skiing at Shiga Kogen) is a visit to the snow monkey park. The trail head to the Japanese snow monkeys park is only a 5 minute drive from Yudanaka.
Tours Based in Yudanaka

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

The Legendary Roadie
HOSTED & GUIDED ROAD TRIP
11 Days | 10 Nights | 8 Days Skiing
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Experience Japan powder like no other on this legendary road trip where you will visit up to 8 resorts in 3 prefectures; Nagano, Gunma & Niigata! Join a tour as a solo traveler, couple or small group. Max 6 spots per tour so get in quickly!
Price p/p From price based on twin-share, standard package at Lodge Aibiya.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,343
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Yudanaka here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Nagano Powder Chaser
HOSTED & GUIDED SKI & CULTURE PACKAGES
3, 4, 5 & 6 Nights | 2, 3, 4 & 5 Days Skiing/Boarding
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Don't let a lack of time, budget or resort knowledge hold you back from a ski/snowboard trip in Nagano this winter. Experience many of Nagano's best ski areas with guides who have an intimate knowledge; based in the culturally rich town of Yudanaka. Tours can be CUSTOMISED for 3 nights or more. Share
Price p/p From price based on 3-night stay with 2 days skiing/boarding) in a twin share Japanese room with private bathroom.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,065
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 5% Off tours between 13th and 31st March 2024
Nagano Beginner Packages
BEGINNER HOSTED INSTRUCTION PACKAGES
3, 4, 5 or 6 Nights
Ability: Beginner
This package is ideal for beginners (families, groups, couples and solos) who are looking to experience the great Japanese snow and culture, and have some support to learn to ski or snowboard. Packages include ski/snowboard hire, lessons, and the opportunity to visit the snow monkeys. Share
Price p/p
USD 1,065
View Details
 5% Off tours between 13th March and 15th April 2024
Nagano Ski/Board Progression
SKI / SNOWBOARD GUIDED INSTRUCTION
10 Days | 9 Nights | 8 Skiing | Up to 8 Ski Areas
Ability: Intermediate to Strong Intermediate
Learn to ski and ride deep powder with more confidence or improve your on-piste technique whilst checking out some of Nagano's fabulous ski areas away from the masses of foreigners. In addition to the skiing and snowboarding, experience an area rich in culture and history.
Price p/p From price based on per person twin-share room with shared bathroom.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,008
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Yudanaka here

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Nagano Beginner Lessons
PRIVATE & GROUP BEGINNER LESSONS
Pick up at Yudanaka for Shiga Kogen
Ability: Beginner
Learn to ski or snowboard at Shiga Kogen with fully qualified English speaking instructors. Private lessons for the day or multiple days. Includes pick-up from your accommodation in Yudanaka (near the snow monkeys) or Shiga Kogen.
Price p/p Price based on single person joining a group.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 147
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See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Yudanaka here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Guided Powder Tours
SHIGA KOGEN & SURROUNDING RESORTS
Single & Multi-Day Guiding
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Explore the off-piste and sidecountry at the massive ski area of Shiga Kogen or another nearby ski area. Guiding is for private groups or group tours are available some days.
Price p/p *based on per person in a private group of 5 for a 5 hour tour.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 75
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Yudanaka here
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