SNOW MONKEY PARK

The Monkey Park in Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi and is a part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Literally translated to “Hell’s Valley”, this monkey park is known for the steam and boiling water that emerges from crevices of the ground. This is a place that experiences frequent snowfall due to the elevation of 850 metres and can be accessed with a narrow pathway.

The park is known for the variety of Japanese macaques, alternatively known as snow monkeys. The park is surrounded by cold and hostile forests and the monkeys come from these places. They usually arrive in the morning and return to the forest at night. These monkeys are known to be so adorable and descend from the steep cliffs to sit next to the hot springs. So this is your go to place to get a closer view of these animals in their natural habitat.

Highlights

• Shop for souvenirs in the Kanbayashi Onsen or rent winter outfits to visit the Monkey Park.
• Take a guided tour to check out the Monkey Park and the nearby places in Yamanouchi led by an expert.
• Watch the experts feed the adorable monkeys at the feeding session in the Monkey Park.
• Click pictures of the monkeys snuggling next to each other adorably close to the hot springs in the park.
• Visit the Japanese onsen and try out the local baths to unwind and relax after a long day.

How To Reach

By Car: The Monkey Park is 33.8 km from the city centre, it will take 57 min via Route number 60.

By Bus: Take a bus to Snow Monkey Park station which is 2.4 kilometres away from the Monkey Park. You can reach the activity location from the bus station with a 37-minute walk.

Best Time To Visit

Monkey Park is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year. The best season to visit Monkey Park will be the summer season from March to June because this is the time when the climate is pleasant.

Other Essential Information

• When clicking pictures, make sure you do not use any flash as it can disturb the monkeys and can even agitate them. 
• Under any circumstances, feeding the animals is forbidden as there is a potential chance for them to injure you. 
• This is located in a relatively cold area, so make sure you wear enough winter clothing to stay warm when visiting the park. 
• The trek to the monkey park can be long and bumpy, so make sure you wear a comfortable pair of footwear. 
• There is an admission fee of 800 Yen to be paid to enter the park, so plan your visit to the park accordingly.