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!
Great value! Local family run restaurant in Yudanaka serving ramen, tonkatsu, fried chicken (karaage), gyoza, sashimi & other tasty Japanese treats. Also great vegan options. Menu available in English.
An impressive range of Asian fusion dishes plus sake, local craft beer, in a lovely historic building.
Experience a genuine classic Izakaya. Amazing Japanese food including yakitori, gyoza, tempura, Japanese curry and more. Accepts reservations. Cash only.
Heated private igloos on a hotel terrace serving a raft of alcoholic beverages including cocktails, spirits, beer & wine. Also serve a good variety of Japanese tapas.
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.