Travel to snow monkeys

HI , I would love some help please ... I am taking my first trip with 4 children ages 17 , 14 , 13 and 10 .. We arrive on the 26th march at 630 pm .. is that too late to make a journey to Yamanouchi to spend the first nite so we can hopefully see the snow monkeys on the 27th .. We then leave to go to Osaka on the 28th ..
What would be the best way to get to Yamanouchi at that time of nite and hotels if possible ? is there anything else in that area to see or just snow monkeys if we are lucky as i know its towards the end of the season . Thank you so much xx

Which airport do you arrive at?

Narita Airport 630pm ,,

is that too late to make a journey to Yamanouchi

Nagano would be a better option, bigger city and more choices of accommodations.
The train trip to Nagano will take over 3 hours with one transfer in Tokyo. You are likely to arrive about midnight.
Better still for you all to rest in Tokyo upon arrival, and do the trip the next morning.

thank you for that . Am i better to find a hotel near the airport or near the tokyo station?
I do have a JR pass .. Can i use that to get to Nagano?
I leave on the 28th from Nagano to Osaka can i use the Jr for that too?
Im just finding travel with 4 children expensive so trying to get around cheaper so we can spend money sightseeing .
Oh and lastly would there be any snow in Late March? My children have never seen it . They don't need to ski but just would love to see it and throw a snow ball .. Thank you again .. xx

Im just finding travel with 4 children expensive so trying to get around cheaper so we can spend money sightseeing .

Would you be able to post your itinerary? Many members in this forum are experienced travelers and very generous with advice.
Who knows you might end up saving a few bob.

THANK you YES that would be great !! mY itinerary so far is below
My children are all older 16 , 14 , 13 and 10 .. Im a single mum so ill be staying at Air Bnbs in Osaka and Tokyo..

26th March Arrive Narita Airport 630pm
27th March - Snow monkeys
28th March - sightsee or let my kids play with some snow if any around , Then head to Osaka late afternoon
29th - explore Osaka temples etc..
30th - Universal Studios
1st - Travel to Tokyo
2nd - Cherry blossoms , temples
3rd- Akihabira/shopping
4th - free day- museums or more shopping
5th - Disney Sea
6th - fly home

Stay at an airport hotel - no point travelling to Tokyo for the extra time and expense of an unnecessary transfer.

You may want to consider arriving at NARITA departing KIX , or arriving KIX departing NARITA.

Purchasing Hokuriku-arch-pass instead of JR PASS would be another option.
http://hokuriku-arch-pass.com/en/

so if i stay in Narita my first night and get a train to Nagano first thing in the morning .. what area in Nagano should i stay over night in ? Ive heard a lot about Shibu Hotel?

I could recommend the ryokan I normally stay at, but there are a lot of options, so something that suits you, and budget.

yes i would love your recommendation please as i need to book this week .

We stayed at Shimaya Ryokan in Yudanaka (catch the train from Nagano).

The host was very welcoming. He picked us up from the station and drove us to the path to the Snow Monkeys and offered to pick us up again. We were the only guests the night we stayed, but from the reviews on Trip Advisor this is the general experience.

http://shimaya-yudanaka.com/en/

The email address is simaya@mvh.biglobe.ne.jp

Thanks sooo much x

I use Kamesei Ryokan in Togura - Tyler is a great host and Kamiyamada is a nice/small onsen town.

is there still going to be some snow there on 27th March?

is there still going to be some snow there on 27th March?

Very likely still snow in the area.
You can monitor here :
http://www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/snow-monkey-livecam

This site seems to refresh more often:

http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm

Thank you