Where To See Snow Monkeys In Japan - Jigokudani Monkey Park

If you've ever dreamed of seeing those iconic red-faced macaques soaking in steamy hot springs amidst a snowy landscape, then you're in for a treat! This unforgettable experience was high on my Japan winter bucket list, and I'm thrilled to share everything you need to know about visiting the adorable Japanese macaques (often called Snow Monkeys) in Nagano.

It truly is one of the most brilliant and unique sights Japan has to offer, and I guarantee you'll love it!

The best place in the world where you can witness Snow Monkeys bathing in natural hot springs is at Jigokudani Yaen Koen, or "Hell Valley," located near Nagano city.

This incredible valley gets its name from its steep cliffs and the steam that rises from the geothermal activity in the area. While the monkeys are present year-round, the magic truly comes alive in the colder months.

Winter is absolutely the best time to see these Snow Monkeys indulging in the hot springs, surrounded by a blanket of snow. I visited in January and was lucky enough to see a ton of baby monkeys, which was incredibly cool!

You can travel to Jigokudani Monkey Park easily from JR Nagano Station, which is only about 1.5 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo. There are two main public transport options to get you from JR Nagano Station to these snow monkeys:

This is the faster and more direct route, which I personally found to be the least hassle. You can catch Shiga-Kogen line bus from the East side entrance of Nagano Station. Look for signage or ask at the bus information counter at Nagano Station for the "Shiga Kogen" or "Snow Monkey Park" bus. The bus ride costs ¥1,800 and takes about 45 minutes.

There is only one bus every hour, so do check ahead here for the timetable.

For a more scenic, albeit slightly slower, journey, you can take the Nagano Dentetsu Line Limited Express train to Yudanaka Station, which takes around 40 minutes and costs ¥1,290. From there, you'll transfer to a local bus that will take you closer to the park entrance in about 15 minutes.

Klook Tip: You can purchase a 2-Day Snow Monkey Pass that covers a one-time entry into the Snow Monkey Park and offers unlimited use of either the express bus or express train over two days. You can get it at the Nagano Dentetsu office located inside of Nagano Station for ¥4,000 per adult (aged 13 and above) and ¥2,000 for children (aged 6 to 12).

For a truly hassle-free experience, consider joining a day tour. These tours eliminate the stress of navigating public transportation and often include round-trip bus travel directly from Nagano Station, Hakuba, or even Tokyo.

You'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, and also have lunch and all entry fees covered. You'll also get to stop at other local attractions, such as Zenkoji Temple that is one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan.

Once your bus drops you off, you're not quite at the monkeys yet! There's an official entrance about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. There is an entrance fee of ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children (aged 6 to 17), though this might be covered if you have purchased the Snow Monkey Pass.

From this point, it's another 30 to 45-minute walk (approximately 1.6 kilometers or 1 mile) through a beautiful trail to reach the actual onsen where the monkeys bathe. Be prepared for potentially icy conditions, especially in winter. I almost slipped a few times, so good snow or hiking boots are highly recommended.

Don't worry if you're not fully geared up, there's a useful shop near the entrance where you can rent shoe spikes or extra warm gear. The staff also consistently shovel and plow the path in winter, making the walk manageable.

You'll be amazed by the sheer number of monkeys! They are completely undisturbed by humans and incredibly not shy at all. You can observe them up close, whether they're relaxing in the hot spring, sitting on the rocks, or just roaming around freely. I spent a good hour and a half to two hours just watching them, and it was definitely a highlight of my trip.

Klook Tip: Do plan your visit well as the opening hours of Jigokudani Yaen-Koen is from 9am to 4pm during winter (November to March), as the sun starts to set after 4pm.

It is important to remember that this park is the natural home of these snow monkeys. And in order to protect both them and you, there are a few crucial rules.

Do not touch or feed the monkeys. This is essential to ensure they don't become aggressive or dependent on humans. Also, avoid flying drones, taking photos underwater, or disturbing the environment. These rules help maintain the monkeys' natural behavior, allowing you to observe their society as true visitors.

Klook Tip: You'll need a telephoto zoom lens to get close-up shots of the monkeys soaking in the onsen as there'll be a barricade around for your safety.

You might wonder why monkeys, who typically dislike getting wet, enjoy these baths. Well, it's primarily to escape the cold! While they don't proactively seek water, the warmth of the 39-45°C hot springs is a welcome refuge. Their thick winter coats are super warm and dry quickly, so they don't feel the chill the same way we do when they emerge. A monkey typically soaks for 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes even longer.

You'll also see park rangers distributing food like barley, apples, and soybeans. This isn't to make the monkeys dependent, but to supplement their diet with locally grown foods and encourage them to stay in the valley rather than venturing into the neighboring farms and homes. The park was actually established in 1964 as a means to protect them from human encroachment.

While winter offers the iconic soaking scenes, you can visit year-round. Spring brings newborn babies, summer sees playful young monkeys, and in autumn, you can observe them growing their thick winter coats.

Klook Tip: Before your visit, you can check the official Jigokudani website for any updates, especially regarding weather closures or monkey appearance predictions during off-peak seasons.

My visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park absolutely lived up to the hype and became one of my favorite parts of Japan. Seeing these incredible creatures up close, completely unfazed by humans, in their natural hot spring habitat, is one of the must-do winter activities in Nagano. It's worth every single Yen!

Don't just come to Nagano for the monkeys and leave! The area itself offers a beautiful experience. I found the Zenkoji Temple grounds particularly magnificent. This historic temple dates back 1,400 years and is said to house the first Buddha statue ever brought to Japan. The street leading up to the temple is lined with charming old shops, food stands, and souvenirs. You can wander the temple grounds for free, and while there might be an additional fee to enter the main hall, it's a beautiful place to explore even from the outside.

Nagano is also home to some of the best ski resorts in Japan, including internationally renowned destinations like Hakuba Valley, Nozawa Onsen, and Shiga Kogen. The consistent and abundant snowfall creates some of the finest powder snow conditions in all of Japan, drawing skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.

Even if you're not an expert on the slopes, there are countless other winter activities to enjoy, such as snowshoeing through serene, snow-covered mountains, exhilarating snowmobile rides, or simply sledding and tubing in family-friendly snow parks. Nagano's winter is an immersive experience that deserves more than a single day trip!