Where to Go: the 6 Best Winter Activities Worldwide

1.1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 9 hours · from $135Our pick

Travel from JR Nagano Station to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques roam freely, then enjoy lunch and visit northern Nagano’s best cherry blossom spots. English-speaking guides such as Dai, Kevin, and Endo keep the day moving while adjusting the afternoon stops to local bloom conditions. Plan for a long walk to the monkeys.

“Our original tour was cancelled due to the late blooming of Cherry Blossoms however this alternative offered more than made up for it. Eniko was a lovely guide and gave us a great commentary throughout the day. The tour was great. My only suggestion is the speaker could be a bit louder on the bus so we can hear all the great commentary and knowledge the guides have to share. Otherwise a great time with a good mixture of people”

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2.Nagano Spring: 1-Day Cherry Blossoms & Snow Monkeys Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $150Top rated

Meet your guide at Nagano Station for a nine-hour trip to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques roam freely, then enjoy lunch and visit a cherry blossom site chosen for the day’s best blooms. Guides such as Joyce, Jens, Endo, Ryu, and Peter have led this tour. The seasonal trip runs from April through May.

“It was an exciting and memorable tour. Seeing snow monkeys is a must. Second half of the tour was in the park strolling amongst cherry blossoms and it was spectacular because of the small lake surrounded by those trees. Took hundreds of pictures. Lunch was good too. I recommend this tour for sure.”

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3.Eobi Valley(Winter), Strawberry, Nami Island & Railbike fr Seoul

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $82

Escape Seoul for 12 to 13 hours with English and Chinese speaking staff, visiting a strawberry farm, Nami Island, Gangchon Railbike, and, on winter dates, Eobi Ice Valley. Transport, admissions, strawberry picking, and a shared four-seat railbike are included. Lunch and personal costs are not.

“It took slightly more than an hour to reach the destination and we have only one round for the strawberry picking. Nami Island has more eatery now so travelers can actually choose to have their lunch in the island rather than have it outside the island.”

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4.Autumn leaves＆ illuminations at Korankei , winter cherry blossoms

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $78Best value

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Nagoya to Obara Fureai Park for its rare mix of autumn foliage and shikizakura blossoms, then continue to Korankei for maple trees, sunset, food stalls, and illumination after 17:00. The tour lasts about six and a half hours and returns to Nagoya around 19:30, traffic permitting.

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5.Nami and K-Garden with Optional Alpaca Winter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Spend 10 hours beyond Seoul with Nami Island’s tree-lined paths, Eobi Valley’s frozen waterfall, and the Garden of Morning Calm’s winter lights. Depending on your booking, add Petite France and Italian Village or Alpaca World. English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean guides are available, with private pickup as an option.

“It was a very good trip. I liked Nami Island. the organization was perfekt. Our guide, Brain was expert.”

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6.Snow Monkey and Cherry Blossom Illumination Tour (3rd ~19th Apr)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $123

Travel from Nagano to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen, and Takada Castle with guides Tommy and Ros. You’ll walk about 2 km to the monkeys, browse a sake brewery and art gallery, then see 4,000 cherry trees lit beside the castle moat. The tour runs from April 3 to 19 and lasts about 8 to 9 hours.

“We had an absolutely amazing time with Tommy and Ros. They were so caring and considerate and fun. Their enthusiasm and love for Japan was infectious - they had amazing information on local culture, spots, and food. They maRead more”

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