Jigokudani Monkey Park
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Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Other Attractions > Nagano
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Jigokudani Monkey Park Nagano Japan by Gilad Raphaelli (CC BY 2.0)
About
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Yosemite (CC BY 3.0)
Jigokudani Monkey Park is a world wide famous place where Japanese Macaque monkeys soak in a hot springs. Images of these monkeys have even been printed in the National Geographic Magazine. The "Monkey Park" is part of the "Joshinetsu Kogen National Park", locally known as Shigakogen. "Jigokudani" means "Hell's Valley" in English and is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground. Although the Snow Monkeys are well know, its not a simple feat getting to the area where they soak so depending on the day/time, there could be relatively few people or maybe only you there. However, on other occasions "groups" of tours come around and fill the area with many tourists.
The "bath" which the monkeys bathe in is a "man made" bath. During the summer, hot months the monkeys are not so inclined to jump in the hot bath so once in a while park wardens will throw some food in the bath so the monkeys jump in after it. In the winter months when its is cold the monkeys hop into the bath to warm up. Of course visitors should NOT GIVE ANYTHING to the monkeys. Japanese Macaques are very intelligent and once they learn they can get stuff from humans, they will be harassing humans forever (like they do in Nikko sometimes). Also take great care in approaching the Japanese Macaques. They know they are tough (especially the Alpha Males) and will not hesitate to jump in your face to give you a scare or the VERY occasional bite (if you intimidate them enough).
After watching the monkeys relaxing, soaking and enjoying themselves in the hot bath... while you stand there in the cold, there is nothing like returning to an Onsen where you are staying and soak a couple hours yourself!
Kanbanyashi Onsen, Tristan (CC BY 2.0)
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Asteiner (CC BY 3.0)
Access
Closest Train Station: Yudanaka
6845 Hirao
Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 381-0401 Japan
Tel: 269-33-4379
Hotels & Lodging
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park.
Hours & Fees
Hours: April - October: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, November - March: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (last entry 30 min. before closing)
Closed: No closing days but, unexpected closures might happen due to the weather conditions.
Cost: Adult (18+): 800 yen, 6-17: 400 yen, under 6: free.
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Jigokudani Monkey Park Homepage
