Yudanaka Township

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Yudanaka - Snow Monkey Town
Yudanaka - Snow Monkey Town
Yudanaka is an authentic Japanese town
Yudanaka is an authentic Japanese town
Yudanaka has various restaurants
Yudanaka has various restaurants
Yudanaka sits at the base of the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
Yudanaka sits at the base of the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
Snow monkey onsen near Yudanaka
Snow monkey onsen near Yudanaka
Yudanaka Nagano
Yudanaka Nagano
Shiga Kogen near Yudanaka
Shiga Kogen near Yudanaka
Wandering around the streets
Wandering around the streets
Most of the ryokan & hotels have an onsen
Most of the ryokan & hotels have an onsen
Plenty of cultural sights
Plenty of cultural sights
Yudanaka in Nagano Prefecture
Yudanaka in Nagano Prefecture
Visiting the onsens is a daily ritual for many people
Visiting the onsens is a daily ritual for many people
Temples in nearby Shibu Onsen
Temples in nearby Shibu Onsen
Yudanaka Japan
Yudanaka Japan
Yudanaka sake tasting
Yudanaka sake tasting
Yudanaka is a unique Japanese experience
Yudanaka is a unique Japanese experience
One of many restaurants & bars
One of many restaurants & bars
Snow monkeys near Yudanaka
Snow monkeys near Yudanaka
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:

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.

If you want to stay in Yudanaka as part of a trip with Japan Powder Culture Tours, lodging in a ryokan with onsen is included in the package.

A good pick 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 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, and a karaoke room.

Another option 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. You can stay here as part of a tour with Powder Geek.

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.

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.

As It Bar is a great spot with its funky interior and vibe, topped off with craft beers and amazing small plates ideal for sharing.

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, or guiding companies such as Japan Powder Culture Tours have equipment rentals.

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 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 at Hotel Omodaka & Tenjin Lodge for 2025 season.
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 3,611
View Details
 
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 per person based on 3-night stay with 2 days skiing/boarding in a twin share Japanese room with private bathroom at Omodaka. 24/25 season.
Base/invoice currency is in JPY in taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,199
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 March Madness. 5% off tours booked between 1st and 15th March 2025
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 Price per person based on 3 night package with 2 days skiing for twin share accom at Omodaka for 2024/25 season.
USD 1,199
View Details
 March Madness. 5% off tours booked between 1st and 20th March 2025
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. Share
Price p/p From price based on per person twin-share room at Omodaka for 2024/25 season.
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 3,142
View Details
 March Madness. 5% off tours booked in the month of March 2025
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Yudanaka here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Shiga 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 for 2024/25 season.
base/invoice currency is Japanese Yen
Displayed rates might vary to actual due to exchange rate fluctuations.
USD 83
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Yudanaka here
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