The Best Place To See Snow Monkeys
The world’s northernmost living primate.
Updated May 2024: Native to Japan, the wonderful Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata) are classed as a terrestrial Old World Monkey species and the world’s northernmost living primate.
Almost certainly the best location to get up close and personal to these wildlife stars is in the Jigokudani region of Japan, otherwise known as “Hell Valley”. And the best place in this region is Jigokudani-Yaen-Koen or Wild Snow Monkey Park, which was established in 1964.
Typical of all primates, the Japanese Macaque is highly intelligent and adaptable. During the last century these macaques, affectionately known the world over as “Snow Monkeys”, discovered that immersing themselves in the naturally occurring hot thermal springs (known locally as onsen) of Jigokudani, was not only an enjoyable and sociable experience, it was essential for combating and surviving the harshest of environments.
Visiting the hot springs is now a daily ritual for the 160+ strong monkey troop.
The park is located in Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen in Yamanouchi Town in the Nagano prefecture. It is approximately. 2.5km from Shibu Onsen, 7km from Yudanaka and 33km from the city of Nagano.
The park is open all year round . . .
SUMMER*
April to October 08:30am – 17:00pm
WINTER*
November to March 09:00am – 16:00pm
ADMISSION FEES*
ADULT
Single ticket 800yen
Group ticket
(20 more people) 680yen
Annual Pass 5,000yen
CHILD
Single ticket 400yen
Group ticket
(20 more people) 340yen
Annual Pass 2,500yen
*Information correct as of May 2024
There are no roads from the park entrance to the hot springs, so, during the winter months, be prepared to walk for approximately 25mins on a single, snow-covered track through the forest to get to the monkeys.
It's worth the effort !
A note of caution before I sign off - like most primates (including humans), an unblinking stare directly into the eyes is seen as challenge, a statement that you are a healthy individual and you are challenging the other for their position in the troop. The majority of primates (big and small) are most frighteningly equipped to answer any challenge, with both males and females possessing prodigious canines as well as the ability to react quickly.
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© 2024 Drew Sproule | Fine Art Nature Photography