Jigokudani Yaen-koen
Japan · Nagano · 850 m
Description
Jigokudani Yaen-koen (地獄谷野猿公苑), also known as the Snow Monkey Park, is a famous wildlife observation park for wild Japanese macaques in a remote mountain valley in Nagano Prefecture. Jigokudani is best known for its macaques bathing in a natural hot-spring pool during the cold winter months, often surrounded by deep snow. The free-roaming monkeys can be observed at close range throughout the year, although their presence and behavior vary with the season, weather, and availability of natural food. A roughly two-kilometer forest trail leads from Kanbayashi Onsen through the wooded mountain landscape to the park. Together with the nearby hot-spring towns of Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen, Jigokudani Yaen-koen ranks among Nagano Prefecture’s most distinctive wildlife and nature experiences.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs (December - March)
- Japanese macaque watching at Jigokudani
- Jigokudani forest trail
- Snow-covered Jigokudani forest trail (December - March)
- Jigokudani geothermal valley
- Shibu Onsen historic hot-spring town
- Shibu Onsen historic streets & bathhouses
- Yudanaka Onsen
- Kanbayashi Onsen
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Yudanaka