Explore Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Knowledgeable Local Guide

A visit to the snow monkeys is one of the highlights of a visit to Japan. Jigokudani Yaen-koen is a place to observe the interesting ecology of Japanese monkeys nearby, and many people in the world have loved this place since 1964 when it first opened. Many researchers and photographers has also visit here for the photo opportunity. The monkeys here are known as "Snow Monkeys” because they bathe in the hot springs and no other monkeys in the world do this.

In 1970, they were appeared in the cover of "LIFE" magazine in the U.S. and were reported by the press overseas. Furthermore, in 1998, when the winter Olympic Games were held in Nagano, many athletes, game staff, news media and tourists from foreign countries visited, and made it a big topic.

Soaking in the hot spring is only one part of the monkeys’ lives. Monkeys do not usually soak in the hot spring in the warm season because they soak in the hot spring in order to survive the severe winter weather. The best charm of Jigokudani Yaen-koen is not taking pictures of monkeys, however, but enjoying the ecology of wild monkeys to be able to observe nearby through a year and the rich nature itself of the animals, insects, plants, and so on. Please listen carefully on the walking trail to Jigokudani and you will experience the natural ecology of the area through your five senses!

Itinerary

・Stroll Yumichi walking trail.

・Visit Shibu no Jigokudani funsen.

・Visit Jigokudani Yaen-koen & rest.

・Description of the nature by the guide