Meetings & Events Safe Travel Information Select Language 简体中文 繁體中文（香港） 繁體中文（臺灣） India (English) Bahasa Indonesia 한국어 ภาษาไทย Tiếng Việt Singapore (English) Philippines (English) Malaysia (English) Australia/New Zealand (English) Français Deutsch Italiano Español United Kingdom (English) Nordic countries（English） Canada (English) Canada (Français) United States (English) Mexico (español) Português العربية Global (English) 简体中文 繁體中文（香港） 繁體中文（臺灣） India (English) Bahasa Indonesia 한국어 ภาษาไทย Tiếng Việt Singapore (English) Philippines (English) Malaysia (English) Australia/New Zealand (English) Français Deutsch Italiano Español United Kingdom (English) Nordic countries（English） Canada (English) Canada (Français) United States (English) Mexico (español) Português العربية Global (English) India (English) Bahasa Indonesia Singapore (English) Philippines (English) Malaysia (English) Australia/New Zealand (English) United Kingdom (English) Nordic countries（English） Canada (English) Canada (Français) United States (English) Mexico (español) Global (English) Destinations All Hokkaido Tohoku Aomori Akita Iwate Yamagata Miyagi Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Niigata Toyama Ishikawa Fukui Nagano Kanto Tokyo Kanagawa Chiba Saitama Ibaraki Tochigi Gunma Tokai Yamanashi Shizuoka Gifu Aichi Mie Kansai Kyoto Osaka Shiga Hyogo Nara Wakayama Chugoku Tottori Shimane Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Shikoku Tokushima Kagawa Ehime Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Saga Nagasaki Oita Kumamoto Miyazaki Kagoshima Okinawa Major cities Hokkaido Sapporo Asahikawa Hakodate Kushiro Tohoku Sendai Aomori Akita Morioka Tsuruoka Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Kanazawa Niigata Toyama Nagano Matsumoto Fukui Kanto Tokyo Yokohama Saitama Chiba Utsunomiya Maebashi Tokai Nagoya Fujiyoshida Hamamatsu Gifu Takayama Iseshima Kansai Osaka Kyoto Nara Kobe Himeji Otsu Chugoku Hiroshima Okayama Kurashiki Matsue Tottori Shimonoseki Shikoku Matsuyama Takamatsu Tokushima Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Kumamoto Kagoshima Beppu Nagasaki Miyazaki Okinawa Naha Ishigaki Island Miyako Island Kerama Island Passion Nature Mt. Fuji Tokyo Island Zao Yakushima Japan Alps Towada Outdoors Niseko Minakami Nagano Miyazaki Miyako Ishigaki Island Tradition Kyoto Hongu Kiso Koka & Shigaraki Nara Hida Takayama Cuisine Fukuoka Osaka Sapporo Ginza, Nihonbashi Ise Kanazawa Art Kanazawa Setouchi Kiyosato Hakone Roppongi Relaxation Beppu & Yufuin (Onsen) Miyako Island Suwa Ginzan Onsen Nagasaki Islands Cities Yokohama Sendai Osaka Hiroshima Vacation Style New Discoveries or Slow Travel Kumano Kodo Fukui Shimane Shonai Shikoku Karst Island Adventure Oki Amami Oshima Nagasaki Sado Hot Spring Retreat Beppu Hakone Kusatsu Kinosaki Hachimantai Culture Travel Kyoto Nikko Nara Kanazawa Omihachiman Aizuwakamatsu National Parks Shiretoko Hachimantai Kerama Shirakami City Break Tokyo Osaka Fukuoka Sapporo Luxury SNOW LIKE NO OTHER Action & Adventure Cycling All Hokkaido Tohoku Aomori Akita Iwate Yamagata Miyagi Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Niigata Toyama Ishikawa Fukui Nagano Kanto Tokyo Kanagawa Chiba Saitama Ibaraki Tochigi Gunma Tokai Yamanashi Shizuoka Gifu Aichi Mie Kansai Kyoto Osaka Shiga Hyogo Nara Wakayama Chugoku Tottori Shimane Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Shikoku Tokushima Kagawa Ehime Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Saga Nagasaki Oita Kumamoto Miyazaki Kagoshima Okinawa Tohoku Aomori Akita Iwate Yamagata Miyagi Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Niigata Toyama Ishikawa Fukui Nagano Kanto Tokyo Kanagawa Chiba Saitama Ibaraki Tochigi Gunma Tokai Yamanashi Shizuoka Gifu Aichi Mie Kansai Kyoto Osaka Shiga Hyogo Nara Wakayama Chugoku Tottori Shimane Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Shikoku Tokushima Kagawa Ehime Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Saga Nagasaki Oita Kumamoto Miyazaki Kagoshima Major cities Hokkaido Sapporo Asahikawa Hakodate Kushiro Tohoku Sendai Aomori Akita Morioka Tsuruoka Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Kanazawa Niigata Toyama Nagano Matsumoto Fukui Kanto Tokyo Yokohama Saitama Chiba Utsunomiya Maebashi Tokai Nagoya Fujiyoshida Hamamatsu Gifu Takayama Iseshima Kansai Osaka Kyoto Nara Kobe Himeji Otsu Chugoku Hiroshima Okayama Kurashiki Matsue Tottori Shimonoseki Shikoku Matsuyama Takamatsu Tokushima Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Kumamoto Kagoshima Beppu Nagasaki Miyazaki Okinawa Naha Ishigaki Island Miyako Island Kerama Island Hokkaido Sapporo Asahikawa Hakodate Kushiro Tohoku Sendai Aomori Akita Morioka Tsuruoka Fukushima Hokuriku Shinetsu Kanazawa Niigata Toyama Nagano Matsumoto Fukui Kanto Tokyo Yokohama Saitama Chiba Utsunomiya Maebashi Tokai Nagoya Fujiyoshida Hamamatsu Gifu Takayama Iseshima Kansai Osaka Kyoto Nara Kobe Himeji Otsu Chugoku Hiroshima Okayama Kurashiki Matsue Tottori Shimonoseki Shikoku Matsuyama Takamatsu Tokushima Kochi Kyushu Fukuoka Kumamoto Kagoshima Beppu Nagasaki Miyazaki Okinawa Naha Ishigaki Island Miyako Island Kerama Island Ishigaki Island Passion Nature Mt. Fuji Tokyo Island Zao Yakushima Japan Alps Towada Outdoors Niseko Minakami Nagano Miyazaki Miyako Ishigaki Island Tradition Kyoto Hongu Kiso Koka & Shigaraki Nara Hida Takayama Cuisine Fukuoka Osaka Sapporo Ginza, Nihonbashi Ise Kanazawa Art Kanazawa Setouchi Kiyosato Hakone Roppongi Relaxation Beppu & Yufuin (Onsen) Miyako Island Suwa Ginzan Onsen Nagasaki Islands Cities Yokohama Sendai Osaka Hiroshima Nature Mt. Fuji Tokyo Island Zao Yakushima Japan Alps Towada Outdoors Niseko Minakami Nagano Miyazaki Miyako Ishigaki Island Ishigaki Island Tradition Kyoto Hongu Kiso Koka & Shigaraki Nara Hida Takayama Koka & Shigaraki Cuisine Fukuoka Osaka Sapporo Ginza, Nihonbashi Ise Kanazawa Ginza, Nihonbashi Art Kanazawa Setouchi Kiyosato Hakone Roppongi Relaxation Beppu & Yufuin (Onsen) Miyako Island Suwa Ginzan Onsen Nagasaki Islands Beppu & Yufuin (Onsen) Nagasaki Islands Cities Yokohama Sendai Osaka Hiroshima Vacation Style New Discoveries or Slow Travel Kumano Kodo Fukui Shimane Shonai Shikoku Karst Island Adventure Oki Amami Oshima Nagasaki Sado Hot Spring Retreat Beppu Hakone Kusatsu Kinosaki Hachimantai Culture Travel Kyoto Nikko Nara Kanazawa Omihachiman Aizuwakamatsu National Parks Shiretoko Hachimantai Kerama Shirakami City Break Tokyo Osaka Fukuoka Sapporo Luxury SNOW LIKE NO OTHER Action & Adventure Cycling New Discoveries or Slow Travel Kumano Kodo Fukui Shimane Shonai Shikoku Karst Island Adventure Oki Amami Oshima Nagasaki Sado Hot Spring Retreat Beppu Hakone Kusatsu Kinosaki Hachimantai Culture Travel Kyoto Nikko Nara Kanazawa Omihachiman Aizuwakamatsu National Parks Shiretoko Hachimantai Kerama Shirakami City Break Tokyo Osaka Fukuoka Sapporo Things to Do Nature & Outdoor Diving in Japan Skiing in Japan Seasonal Flowers in Japan Sustainable Outdoors Adventure Off the Beaten Track in Japan Scenic Spots World Heritage Home Stays & Farm Stays Sports & Outdoors Japan's National Parks Nature (Experiences in Japan) Outdoors (Experiences in Japan) Tradition Japanese Gardens Japanese Crafts Temple Stays Heritage Stays Festivals and Events Theater in Japan Japanese Tea Ceremony Cultural Experiences in Japan Culture in Japan Experiences in Japan Food & Drink Gastronomy Local Cuisine Eastern Japan Local Cuisine Western Japan Local Street Food Japan's Local Ekiben Yakitori Japanese Whisky Vegetarian and Vegan Guide Sushi in Japan Guide Japanese Sake Breweries Sake 101 Experiences in Japan Luxury Gastronomy Art & Culture Art Museums Architecture Performing Arts Theatre Art Festivals Japanese Anime and Comics Japanese Ceramics Local Crafts Experiences in Japan Luxury Art Festivals Cities Scenic Spots Scenic Night Views Natural Wonders Theme Parks Nightlife Samurai & Ninja Iconic Architecture Shopping Experiences in Japan Relaxation Onsen Wellness Travel in Japan Japanese Ryokan Guide Home Stays & Farm Stays A Guide to Stargazing in Japan Japanese Gardens Flowers Relaxation in Japan Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) Experiences in Japan Luxury Wellness Travel Featured Luxury Sports Experiences in Japan National Parks Japan's Local Treasures Japan Heritage Heritage Stays Snow Like No Other Wonder Around Japan GREEN×EXPO2027 Japan Photo & Video Library Links​ Experiences in Japan National Parks Japan Heritage Sustainable Travel in JAPAN Nature & Outdoor Diving in Japan Skiing in Japan Seasonal Flowers in Japan Sustainable Outdoors Adventure Off the Beaten Track in Japan Scenic Spots World Heritage Home Stays & Farm Stays Sports & Outdoors Japan's National Parks Nature (Experiences in Japan) Outdoors (Experiences in Japan) Diving in Japan Skiing in Japan Seasonal Flowers in Japan Sustainable Outdoors Off the Beaten Track in Japan Home Stays & Farm Stays Tradition Japanese Gardens Japanese Crafts Temple Stays Heritage Stays Festivals and Events Theater in Japan Japanese Tea Ceremony Cultural Experiences in Japan Culture in Japan Experiences in Japan Japanese Gardens Japanese Crafts Festivals and Events Theater in Japan Japanese Tea Ceremony Cultural Experiences in Japan Culture in Japan Food & Drink Gastronomy Local Cuisine Eastern Japan Local Cuisine Western Japan Local Street Food Japan's Local Ekiben Yakitori Japanese Whisky Vegetarian and Vegan Guide Sushi in Japan Guide Japanese Sake Breweries Sake 101 Experiences in Japan Luxury Gastronomy Local Cuisine Eastern Japan Local Cuisine Western Japan Local Street Food Japan's Local Ekiben Japanese Whisky Vegetarian and Vegan Guide Sushi in Japan Guide Japanese Sake Breweries Art & Culture Art Museums Architecture Performing Arts Theatre Art Festivals Japanese Anime and Comics Japanese Ceramics Local Crafts Experiences in Japan Luxury Art Festivals Performing Arts Japanese Anime and Comics Japanese Ceramics Cities Scenic Spots Scenic Night Views Natural Wonders Theme Parks Nightlife Samurai & Ninja Iconic Architecture Shopping Experiences in Japan Scenic Night Views Natural Wonders Samurai & Ninja Iconic Architecture Relaxation Onsen Wellness Travel in Japan Japanese Ryokan Guide Home Stays & Farm Stays A Guide to Stargazing in Japan Japanese Gardens Flowers Relaxation in Japan Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) Experiences in Japan Luxury Wellness Travel Wellness Travel in Japan Japanese Ryokan Guide Home Stays & Farm Stays A Guide to Stargazing in Japan Japanese Gardens Relaxation in Japan Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) Featured Luxury Sports Experiences in Japan National Parks Japan's Local Treasures Japan Heritage Heritage Stays Snow Like No Other Wonder Around Japan GREEN×EXPO2027 Japan Photo & Video Library Links​ Experiences in Japan National Parks Japan Heritage Sustainable Travel in JAPAN Experiences in Japan Japan's Local Treasures Snow Like No Other Wonder Around Japan

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Tohoku Shikoku’s Nature and Traditions Southern Kyushu by Rail First-Time Visitor Info Online Reservation Sites Stories & Guides Itineraries First-Time Visitor Info Visa Information Getting to Japan Airport Access COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan Visa Information Getting to Japan COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan All Stories & Guides Shopping Anime Tourism Temple Stays Countryside Stays Accessible Tourism Countryside Stays Accessible Tourism All Itineraries Hokkaido Great Outdoors Scenic World Heritage in Tohoku Shikoku’s Nature and Traditions Southern Kyushu by Rail Hokkaido Great Outdoors Scenic World Heritage in Tohoku Shikoku’s Nature and Traditions Southern Kyushu by Rail Getting Around Transportation in Japan Traveling by Rail How to Travel by Train and Bus JR Rail Passes Scenic Railways Renting a Car Sustainable Travel in Japan Plan Your Trip Travel Brochures Online Reservation Sites Eco-friendly Accommodation Luxury Accommodations 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${v.desc | trunc(25)} Planning a Trip to Japan? Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp Hokuriku Shinetsu Nagano City & Around Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park 6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano-ken View on Google Maps Get Transit Info Watch monkeys in the wild bathing in a hot spring This troop of Japanese macaque monkeys has been observed soaking in the hot springs of Jigokudani, since 1964. A quiet ravine in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture is home to one of the world's most unique attractions. Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park) is one of the habitats of a population of Japanese macaques, and visitors have the opportunity to view these illusive creatures up close. During winter months, you can even see them soaking in the area's hot springs to keep warm. The walk up to the Wild Snow Monkey Park through peaceful woodland Observing the way the monkeys behave The zen expressions of the older monkeys relaxing in the hot water How to Get There The monkeys live way out in the mountains, and getting there takes some time. The good news is that buses run to Kanbayashi Onsen near the trail leading into the park from many popular destinations around the prefecture, including Nagano (40 minutes), Nozawa Onsen (30 minutes), Shiga Kogen (30 minutes), and Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen (10 minutes). From Kanbayashi Onsen it's a 25 to 40-minute walk on a trail through the forest to the Snow Monkey Park. The trail is passable all year round. Japanese macaques, also called snow monkeys, have the northernmost range of the world's non-human primates The park is also known as the Jigokudani Monkey Park, or the Jigokudani Yaen Koen Japanese macaques, also called snow monkeys, have the northernmost range of the world's non-human primates The park is also known as the Jigokudani Monkey Park, or the Jigokudani Yaen Koen More fun than a bath full of monkeys In the Shiga Kogen foothills along the Yokoyu River lies Jigokudani, or Hell's Valley. It's under deep snow for a third of the year and its rugged surroundings and geothermal activity conjure up a similarity with Hades. The surrounding forests and mountains are home to multiple troops of monkeys, numbering in the hundreds. The Snow Monkey Park was established in 1964 as a facility where wild Japanese macaques can be observed in an environment without fences or cages. All this while providing others with the chance to learn about primate behavior. The park also aimed to keep the monkeys in the area and away from their other great love, pillaging the neighboring farmland. Staff at the park have fed the monkeys daily ever since its opening. They live in the surrounding mountains, but come down for the free meals. The monkeys visit the park year-round, and can be seen soaking in the hot springs in winter. December to March is usually the best time to witness them bathing. Go ape over Japan's hottest macaques The two-kilometer path from Kanbayashi Onsen runs through a quiet forest. During winter the trail is particularly beautiful. Signage along the path through the forest to the baths tells visitors about macaque social hierarchy, behavior and child rearing. These laid back tree swingers have their own lives, and bathe as they please. They're also thoroughly used to humans being around, so you'll be able to get photos, but will usually be completely ignored. Monkey see, monkey don't (park etiquette) Don't feed them, touch, or threaten the monkeys. Do not stare or look into their eyes, as this can be seen as a sign of aggression. Don't get too close, and whatever you do, don't join them in the bath! When the day is done Once you've finished monkeying around, head to nearby Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen for a soak yourself. Or better yet, spend the night at one of the local inns for a monkey-free onsen experience. For those planning some winter sports after a day with the macaques, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen are both a half-hour bus ride away. Wildlife Watching Recommended for You Near Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Please Choose Your Language Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages