See The Snow Monkeys In The Hot Springs
Still to do
Watch red-faced monkeys soak in a steaming hot spring with snow on their heads.
The adventure
The path to Jigokudani winds through snowy cedar forest along a valley, with steam rising from the river. Then you round a corner and there they are: a troop of Japanese macaques, red-faced and thick-furred, sitting in a steaming pool with their eyes half closed and snow settling on their heads.
Japanese macaques live further north than any other monkey, and here they've learnt to warm up in the hot spring through the winter. Babies cling to their mothers, adults groom each other at the edge, and the monkeys go about their day ignoring the people watching from a few metres away. The name Jigokudani means Hell's Valley, after the steam and boiling water rising from the ground.
Why it’s epic
- Macaques bathing in a hot spring in the snow.
- The most northerly living monkeys in the world.
- A forest walk to the park through the snow.
What it is
Japanese macaques, the most northerly living monkeys, bathe in a hot spring at Jigokudani to keep warm in winter.
How to do it
Take a train or bus from Nagano to the trailhead, then walk about 30 to 40 minutes through the forest to the park.
Top tip
Go in January or February when there's deep snow, and on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Need to know
- The trail can be icy; wear proper boots or crampons.
- Don't touch, feed or stare at the monkeys.
- Combine it with Nagano's Zenkō-ji temple or the onsen town of Shibu.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- Under £750 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time to go
- December to March
- Fly into
- HND airport
Entry is cheap; Japan's rail pass helps with getting there.
Make it happen
Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
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