Day 4: Sumida Park Bullet Train to see the Snow Monkeys

Before saying goodbye to Tokyo, I took a peaceful stroll through Sumida Park, a beautiful riverside park near our Airbnb. The cherry blossom trees were starting to show hints of pink, and the morning air was crisp—a perfect farewell to this interesting city.  

From there, our journey continued! We left Tokyo Station and boarded our very first Shinkansen—Japan’s legendary bullet train, which reaches speeds of over 200 miles per hour. We watched the city skyline blur past as we sped toward the mountains…

Before leaving the station, we stocked up on Bento boxes to eat on the train; this is the first of many:

After arriving at Nagano Station, we transferred to the Nagano Dentetsu Line, which took us to Yudanaka Station. 

From there, a short bus ride brought us to our much-anticipated destination: Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous snow monkeys.  

Seeing these wild macaques up close was so cool! In the winter, despite not being naturally drawn to water, the monkeys soak in the steaming hot springs to stay warm—a sight that has made them world-famous. When they weren’t enjoying their natural spa, we saw them huddled together in tight groups, their fluffy fur dusted with snow. Watching their interactions, from playful chases to relaxed lounging in the warm water, was very entertaining.  

After our visit with the snow monkeys, we continued on the train to our absolutely lovely hotel in Kanazawa, where we kicked back and enjoyed a cozy happy hour together. Most of the group then set off in search of a local ramen spot, eager to warm up with a steaming bowl of Japan’s beloved comfort food.  

A perfect day filled with breathtaking scenery, wildlife, and delicious food!