There’s nothing better than a dip in a hot spring on a cold winter day, and the snow monkeys of Nagano couldn’t agree more.
Soaking up the warm water and tranquil atmosphere of an onsen (温泉, hot spring) is an essential cultural pastime for many people in Japan, and in Nagano, the hot springs are especially popular among an unusual group of local residents. Those locals are the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park! They might be wild animals, but when the weather gets cold and snow begins to fall, the monkeys slip into the onsen daily and soak in the hot water, enjoying the hot springs just like the humans bathing not so far away. In recent years these onsen-loving monkeys have become a must-see for tourists visiting the area, one of Japan's many animal-themed attractions (like deer parks and cat islands). And thanks to Jigokudani Monkey Park's location within Joshinetsukogen National Park, practically next-door to Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, the area has become a wintertime destination.
Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen, 地獄谷野猿公苑) has been operating since 1964, and after the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the bathtime-loving monkeys became an international phenomenon. Brought into the spotlight by Olympic athletes, the monkey park is still a popular destination for skiers staying at Shiga Kogen Ski Resort. Buses run regularly between Shiga Kogen and Jigokudani Monkey Park, a trip of about half an hour.
The park is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, but they recommend you come earlier rather than later! The monkeys tend to come down from the mountains to soak in the onsen and observe the humans during the day, and then head back into the trees in the late afternoon. If you show up just before the park closes, the monkeys might already be returning home for a good night's rest!
There are no barriers at the park, and the monkeys can go where they like. Sometimes they come pretty close! But mostly they like to keep their distance. To keep both you and the monkeys safe and happy, Jigokudani Monkey Park has a few rules for visitors:
1. Don't get too close to the monkeys! They're still wild animals, and they might be tempted to snatch your bag if you come too near (or even scratch you if they're scared). It's best not to approach them.
2. Don't stare at their eyes. Humans like eye contact, but monkeys, it seems, do not.
3. Don't put your hands out towards the monkeys.
4. Don't show them any food or feed them. Really, it's best not to bring any food at all. You don't want the monkeys stealing it away, and the food could make them sick.
As long as you stick to the rules, there's nothing more relaxing than watching monkeys soak to their heart's content in an onsen, without a care in the world. Savor the experience!
Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑)
6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture
Hours: 8:30 – 17:00
Entry Fee: Adults 500 yen, Children 250 yen
Official Website
What else is there to do at the national park? Find out more about the Joshinetsukogen National Park at "National Parks of Japan," provided by the Ministry of Environment of Japan. And for more updates and info from Japan, follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
Details
NAME:Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑)
ACCESS:Yudanaka (湯田中駅)
PROFILE
Follow us @Japankuru on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
COMMENT
FEATURED MEDIA
VIEW MORESee Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium
A Very Special Trip on the Ferry Sunflower #japankuru #ferrysunflower #hokkaidotrip #japanexperience #japantrip #girlstrip #oarai #tomakomai #北海道 #北海道旅行 #茨城 #홋가이도 #일본선박여행 #토마코마이 #이바라키 #북해도 #페리여행 #여행에미치다 #여자끼리 #日本渡輪 #sunflower號 #坐船旅行 #日本女子旅 #日本體驗
Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics
⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta
Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon
Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄