Visit Nagano, Japanese Snow Monkeys

I’ve been to the valley of hell, and it is filled with adorable Japanese snow monkeys.  Jigokudani Yaen Kōen  in Nagagno Prefecture translates as Hell’s Valley Monkey Park.  It gets its name from the surrounding steep cliffs, and bubbling water and steam that escape the ground during the harsh winters.   The snow monkeys (Japanese Macaques) spend their days escaping the cold by bathing in an onsen (hot spring).

Although the snow monkeys are well known, the inaccessibility of the park has kept it relatively free from crowds.  The monkeys bathe in one manmade hot spring, so tour groups can quickly overwhelm the area.  Visitors with more flexibility can wait out the tour groups to get some quiet time with the monkeys.

The monkeys are accustomed to visitors and can be observed relatively closely.  There are clear rules posted at the entrance of the park to avoid provoking the monkeys – thankfully this includes a prohibition on selfie sticks.  Observing the monkeys in their natural habitat, requires some effort.  It is a fairly steep hike through the woods, made even more difficult by heavy snow in the winter.  There are no roads close to the park, and the reason is clear once you pass this vehicle.  I’m sure there is an interesting story there!

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It’s possible to visit the park as a very long day trip from Tokyo, but my recommendation is to stay in Nagano or a nearby ryokan (traditional Japanese style inn) in the Shibu or Yudanaka Onsen towns of Yamanouchi. These traditional inns are now easily accessible to foreign visitors, thanks to online booking sites. The closest ryokan to the Monkey park is Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan.  It is located right outside the park, and sometimes the monkeys actually make their way down to join guests in the onsen!

I love this area for the peace and quiet and ability to spend time observing the very cute snow monkeys.  I had plans of sharing valuable tips with my readers, including bus timetables and other key information that was until recently only available in Japanese.  Imagine my surprise when I came across a Snow Monkey Resorts website in English with detailed information, including bus and train timetables.  This site provides everything you need to know to visit the park, I find it to be more understandable than the actual Jigokudani Yaen-Koen site.

If you are more comfortable with a tour, a google search will result in dozens of options – until recently there were very few available in English.  I’m still hoping that the steep trek through the woods will keep away the masses.  The estimate is usually a 25-45 minute hike from the closest bus stop, but in deep snow, it is usually on the longer side.  The park is open year round but the monkeys tend to prefer the hot springs in the winter months.  Pack your winter boots and bundle up.  Trust me, it’s worth it to see the monkeys relaxing,

and playing,

and sleeping,

and cuddling.

Aren’t Japanese snow monkeys adorable?