The Jigokudani Monkey Park offers visitors the unique experience of seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. The park is inhabited by Japanese Macaques, which are also known as Snow Monkeys. It is located in the monkey's natural habitat, in the forests of the Jigokudani valley in Ymanouchi, not far from the onsentown of Shibu and Yudanaka. The park has one man-made pool around which the monkeys gather, located a few minutes' walk from the park entrance. Visitors will likely already encounter monkeys along the path to the pool. The monkeys live in large social groups, and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, the monkeys can be observed from very close and almost completely ignore their human guests.
OP1 Take a hot spa in Korakukan, Japanese style ryokan, which is an annex of Snow monkey Park. In order to warm, snow monkeys often visit and take a bath there. That means you enter in hot spa with snow monkeys. This is an option if you like it. In case you would like to do, please take a swim wear.
Take-san was an excellent and professional guide. He was very prompt on our pick up and created a smooth experience taking our family to see the snow monkeys. Going in the summer there were fewer tourists and we got up close to many monkeys that were not afraid to be around humans. Very nice experience for a full long day from Toyko. I would strongly recommend.
We were very excited at the scenery of wildlife in Japan. In order to take many photos, there was no time to rest. Will aim at world known photo contest in next time to visit Snow Monkey Park.
Japan has very multi-faceted sceneries, from mountainous landscapes to sandy beaches, from forests to volcanic areas. Visiting these different areas is important for international visitors so as to understand more Japan. Our trip to the Jigokudani Yaen Kōen (aka Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park) to encounter the Snow Monkeys bathing in the onsen as well as the shopping @Karuizawa Outlet Mall were exceptional moments. There were lots of contrasts during this trip. The transition from a 1600m-walk in the snow to reach the 834mforest, which is the paradise of the snow monkeys to the bustling and dynamic modern department stores, designed for shop-till-you-drop moments, was successful and fascinating. A unique experience that could be only fully lived in Japan. Our driver, Take is a very friendly and helpful person who has made our dream to catch a glimpse/to have a full view of the Mount Fuji 4th station @2020m, the pirate boat trip on the Akashi/Ashinoko Lakes and the ride to the volcanic area as well as the black egg come true during our trip to Japan. Our warmest thanks to Take for having safely taken us to these wonderful places and made memorable and precious photos for us.
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