Snow Monkeys

Good Day...
I've researched about the transpo from Tokyo to Jigokudani but I have some follow up questions.

1. Is there a JR local train from Tokyo to Nagano Station? Coz we're planing to visit the monkeys this long holiday in December using Seishun Kippo. Is it possible?

2. how much is the fare of Nagano Dentetsu train to Yudanaka. Or is Dentetsu valid for Seishun?

3. and from Yudanaka, how much is the bus fare to Kanbayashi Onsen?

4. Is there a backpackers hostel in the area for us to rest overnight?

5. Is snow already thick during the december New Year holiday? Coz the monkeys might still do't want to bath that time.

Thank You.

1)
Seishun 18(jyuhachi) kippu(Not kippo) possible about 7h No direct train.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=TOKYO&arv_node=...
But winter 18 sales info update yet.

2)
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=NAGANO&arv_node...
Naga-den(nick) is Not JR line cannot use 18.

3)4)
15min/250Y but operate not a lot.
Yudanaka stn tourist office a lot of worthful info bus and hotels.

But if early morning dep from Tokyo You woll reach after 3:00am.
Winter park sundown ealier 4pm closed worthless.
Last day stay Nagano area then next mornig to park and back to Tokyo best.

5)
Monkeys mid Nov to next early Apr coming a lot everyday no problem.
Watch live-cam(images not video) after mid Nov.
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/

The park staff will throw seeds (their bites) into the hot spring, so the monkeys have to jump into it to get them. You can easily spend more than an hour just watching them. You need trecking shoes for traveling the last 2 km in the mountain as it is icy.

thanks for the infos...

are there hotels for only 10K Yen or less for 3 persons?