Tokyo to Takayama via Snow Monkey Park

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Japan in mid-March and looking for advice on the best way to get from Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Takayama. I definitely want to visit the Snow Monkey Park in Jigokudani.

My main question is whether it�fs better to:

Spend a night in Nagano and then continue to Takayama the next day?
Or, should I do a day trip from Tokyo to the Snow Monkey Park and then head to Takayama?
I'm aiming for the most efficient and enjoyable experience, so any tips on transportation, timing, or how long to stay in each place would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

As a day trip, the monkey park would be expensive and involve a lot of back-tracking, plus you would still need to get from Tokyo to Takayama.
The main options from the park to Takayama is either from Nagano to Toyama and then Takayama by train or train Nagano to Matsumoto and then the connection bus which is a nice option. Via Toyama would be quicker as it is less than three hours. The train/bus combination is nice during the day, but you would probably be in the evening/dark.
Could you do the monkey park and get to Takayama the same day? Yes, a lot of travelling, but the timetables work if you leave Tokyo early and got the 2 p.m. or 2:25 p.m. bus returning to Nagano.