Japan Snow Monkeys, Japan Snow Monkey Park, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Japan, Snow Monkey Resorts, Hotspring Monkeys Japan, Zeno’s SNOW MONKEY guide, https://yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/

Japan Snow Monkeys

Jigokudani Monkey Park Info, Transfers, Hotels Book now

Japan Snow Monkeys

A visit to the Nagano area would not be complete without seeing the Japan Snow Monkeys Nagano in Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) in Yamanouchi Town. It is a popular day trip from Myoko Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Hakuba, Nagano City and Togakushi.

Entrance Fee (Adults)

¥ 600

Entrance Fee (Child)

¥ 400

hours from Tokyo

hrs

Visitor Rating

The park’s most notable aspect is its open-air hot spring baths designed for the macaques, set against the backdrop of snow-covered landscapes in winter. Unlike most other primates, the Japanese macaques here endure extremely cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, and their hot-spring bathing behavior is unique to this region.

The site attracts numerous photographers, tourists, and nature lovers who visit the park to witness and capture the playful yet tranquil behavior of the snow monkeys in a natural setting.

The snow monkeys have become iconic symbols of Japanese wildlife, frequently appearing in documentaries, travel features, and research studies on animal behavior. Their ability to survive in such harsh environments and their uniquely human-like behavior have fascinated people worldwide

About the Nagano Snow Monkeys

Japan’s Snow Monkey Park, officially known as Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, is a unique destination in Nagano Prefecture where wild Japanese macaques, commonly called snow monkeys, bathe in natural hot springs. Established in 1964, the park became famous for its rare sight of monkeys soaking in the warm waters, especially during the harsh winter months.

It’s easily accessible from Tokyo and other major cities via train and bus, typically taking around 3-4 hours from Tokyo. Book your shuttle here!

The area has numerous hotels and traditional inns (ryokan), restaurants, and onsen (natural hot springs) available, catering to a range of budgets and preferences.

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Japan Snow Monkeys: Accommodation

When looking for Snow Monkeys Accommodation visitors must be aware that there are three distinct areas for accommodation and hotels near the park.

Kanbayashi Onsen is located just near the entrance to the park and also the bus stop coming from Nagano and Shiga Kogen. Yudanaka Onsen is located around Yudanaka Station, which is the train terminus coming from Nagano Station. In between these two is the famous Shibu Onsen – a renowned hostspring onsen town with a multitude of historic inns.

There are buses that run from both Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen to the park, whilst some inns provide free transfers. If you are choosing to stay in the nearby Shiga Kogen Ski Resort the Nagano Snow Monkeys can be easily visited via regular bus or shuttle.

See our great range of options here or check the location of just some of your accommodation options on the map below.

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Walking to the Snow Monkey Park

There are bus services from Nagano (see here) and Yudanaka Station. Get off at ‘Snow Monkey Park’. If you have a car the best parking lot is ‘Yaen-Koen’. From Kanbayashi Onsen gift shop and trailhead it’s all on foot, trekking up the snow covered road until a trail breaks off through the trees (see above). For a bit under two kilometres the path winds its way through a forest of red pine and Japanese larch until finally arriving at Jigokudani. All up it’s about a thirty minute walk (just over two kilometres in total from the bus stop) to the Jigokudani Yaen-koen entrance of the Japan Snow Monkeys.

Will there be monkeys there today? Will it be snowing? Check our Snow Monkey webcams first!

Want to know what the walk is like to the Japan Snow Monkey Park? Well, here’s a virtual walk through with Google Maps.

Warnings

Leave any food you may have inside the visitor’s centre.
It’s not advisable to carry plastic bags or eat in front of the Japan snow monkeys.
Do not try to touch the monkeys nor stare into their eyes.
Travel lightly, especially in winter – good shoes/boots and a backpack rather than a suitcase.
Do not use a selfie stick.
Watch out when leaning over to take photos as you might drop your phone/camera or the monkeys may try to grab it or other items.

Tours

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Onsen for Humans

If you feel like a hot spring dip yourself many of good hotels can be found in the area further down the valley. Kotobuki is conveniently located just under the gateway of mountain path to Jigokudani Yaen-koen, whilst dozens of ryokan with hot spring baths are located in and around Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen. There are also several fine public onsen (see a Shibu Onsen map here) known as Soto-yu Meguri.

Natural Hot Springs: Aside from within local inns, the area is home to a number of traditional public onsen where you can soak in mineral-rich waters. These onsens are known for their therapeutic properties, believed to aid in relaxation, muscle recovery, and skin health.

Rustic and Authentic Atmosphere: The local onsen can offer a more authentic and less commercial experience compared to the some of the famous onsen towns scattered around Japan. Many of the baths are part of traditional inns, providing a peaceful and immersive cultural experience.

Mixed Onsen Options: The area offers both publicly accessible bathhouses and some private baths (kashikiri). Some onsen also feature rotenburo (outdoor baths), where you can bathe in warm waters while surrounded by snow in winter or vibrant greenery in warmer months.

Important note: Can you bath with the monkeys? Yes, possibly, if they find their way into your hotel onsen. It’s definitely not allowed at the park though. But remember, the monkeys are not toilet trained or into personal hygiene. Bathing in an onsen that has been used by them could quite like be swimming in monkey’s toilet.

Shibu Onsen Public Baths Map

Japan Snow Monkeys: Getting here

Aside from public transport there are several private and group direct transfer options to the mountain. There are also inter-resort transfer options available to Madarao, Myoko Kogen, Hakuba, Nagano and Nozawa Onsen.

Click below for transport options to the Japan Snow Monkeys

Car Rentals

Your nearest rental point is Nagano Station. Go here to check availability and prices online.

Japan Snow Monkeys: Gallery

shigakogen.info

A visit to the Nagano area would not be complete without visiting the Japan Snow Monkeys and Shiga Kogen

As forecast, it's snowing. Likely 10-20cm to come

Gorgeous sea of clouds this morning in Shiga Kogen

初雪です。Not a lot, but at least the temps a

Looking for some Shiga Kogen Backcountry or ski sc

Fabulous video of #thesnowmonkeys from @jpkrajewsk

We have an extensive new Snow Monkeys guide. Check

It's meant to be the 'Hut above the clouds' in Yok

今日も綺麗です✨ It's a beautiful summer's

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Japan Snow Monkeys Webcams

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, on the mountains up above the Snow Monkey Park, is one of Japan’s largest and most popular ski areas, located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano Prefecture. It’s renowned for its extensive terrain, excellent snow conditions, and stunning natural beauty. It was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics Downhill race.

The mountain offers a vast ski area with interconnected slopes spanning multiple peaks and valleys. It boasts over 80 kilometers of trails suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from gentle beginner runs to challenging expert terrain. It is said to equal the size of ten Disneylands! The area available is so vast that it is nigh impossible to see everything in one day, so it is a good idea to learn about the characteristics of each ski resort and then decide which ones you cannot miss.

Japan Snow Monkeys: History

Historical Background

The park is located in the Jigokudani Valley (“Hell Valley”) near the town of Yamanouchi. The area was named Jigokudani due to its steep cliffs and natural hot springs, which emit steam resembling that of a boiling cauldron. Groups of Japanese macaques have been living here naturally since ancient times but were were first observed warming themselves in the hot springs during the 1950s, which sparked interest from locals and researchers.

Originally, Japanese macaques lived in nearby mountains such as Shiga Kogen, but due to the development of ski resorts and forest clearing in the 1950s, they were driven out of their mountain habitat and came down to human settlements, becoming pests. To keep these Japanese macaques away from human settlements, Jigokudani Monkey Park protects the monkeys in their original habitat in the mountains. It was established in 1964 with the aim of utilizing them as a tourist resource and preventing damage to agricultural crops. The park’s founders constructed artificial hot spring pools specifically for the monkeys, allowing them to use the hot springs without having to enter nearby human-run onsen baths.

While the park is a significant tourist destination, there have been continuous efforts to maintain a balance between preserving the monkeys’ natural habitat and managing visitor access. Strict guidelines are in place to ensure that human interaction does not negatively affect the monkeys or disrupt their natural behaviors.

Japan Snow Monkey Park Area Map

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