Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, known for its cute monkeys bathing in snowy hot springs, is located in Yamanouchi Town at the foot of Shiga Kogen in northern Nagano Prefecture.
Although it is located in a remote mountain area, it is crowded with tourists from all over the world who come to see the adorable “snow monkeys” at first sight all year round.
This is probably the only park where you can enjoy the rich nature of the four seasons while observing wild monkeys so close to nature.
＜Access to Jigokudani Monkey Park＞
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Hokuriku Shinkansen
Tokyo Station——Nagano Station
＜About 1 hour 20 minutes＞ -
Chuo Line Limited Express
Nagoya Station—-Nagano Station
＜About 2 hours 50 minutes＞ -
Joetsu Shinkansen/Hokuriku Shinkansen
Niigata Station——Nagano Station
＜about 2 hours＞ -
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Kanazawa Station——Nagano Station
＜About 1 hour 5 minutes＞ -
Nagano Station → Nagano Electric Railway Limited Express「Yukemuri／Snow Monkey” → Yudanaka Station ＜about 50 minutes＞ →
bus ride〜bus stop「snow monkey park」＜about 15 minutes＞ → on foot ＜about 35 minutes＞ -
From Jinpyokaku＜About 35 minutes on foot＞
Right on the mountain side from our hotel「Jigokudani Monkey Park private parking lot」there is。
“Yamanouchi-cho Kanbayashi Onsen” is the closest lodging facility to Jigokudani Monkey Park.
＜Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park birth story＞
When humans started clearing the surrounding mountains (Shiga Kogen), which was rich in nature, many Japanese macaques that had lived there before were driven out of their habitats, and troubles such as destroying human fields began to occur.
While the movement to exterminate monkeys is gaining momentum, the first director of the park was instantly fascinated by a group of Japanese macaques that he encountered during his hobby of hiking in the mountains. It is said that the park was established in 1964 as a purpose.
By feeding the monkeys in the park, we are controlling the movements of the monkeys, returning to the mountains at night and returning to the park at dawn to lead a “wild life starting from the park”.
Keeping the park away from human habitation is the key to protecting the monkeys and coexisting with them, by keeping them away from human habitation = not causing trouble with people.
The monkeys who visit the park are unaware of the areas where humans live, so they are still able to continue their “wild life”.
＜Road to Jigokudani Monkey Park＞
The mountain trail, which has been cherished since ancient times, has some slopes, but is flat and suitable for even small children.
There are places where the sides are cliffs and rivers, and there are many cases where it is difficult to walk due to mud due to rain, fallen leaves in autumn, remaining snow and freezing in winter. Avoid heels and sandals regardless of the season, and wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
Wheelchairs/strollers/carts cannot be used as there are slopes, steps, and stairs along the way.
Also, please be aware that “pets” are not allowed so as not to irritate the monkeys.
＜Enter Jigokudani Monkey Park＞
Childbirth rush in early spring. Baby monkeys are really cute, so be careful not to chase them or get too close. Please be careful not to be intimidated by the mother monkey. The feeling of thinking about a child is the same for people and animals.
When you arrive at the hot spring, you will see the monkeys gathering around the hot spring. Depending on how the monkeys feel that day, such as when the temperature is high, there may be days when they do not enter the hot springs.
＜What you need to know to go to Jigokudani Monkey Park＞
- don’t show or give food
- Do not touch or threaten monkeys
- don’t stare into the eyes
- Don’t get too close, stay as far away as possible
- No special photography (drones, selfie sticks, underwater photography)
- You can only enter the hot springs during the cold season (winter). Almost nothing else. It is rare for a child monkey to play.
＜Jigokudani Monkey Park staff recommendation＞
It is said that spring (April-May), which is not well-known, is the birth rush season, and the mountain trails are easy to walk.
You can see the beautiful scenery of fresh green and you can see a lot of cute baby monkeys.
＜information＞
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
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Official site here
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location
〒381-0401 6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture
View on Google Maps -
TEL
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FAX
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メール
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business hours
〇Summer (around April to around October)
Garden opens around 8:30 Closes around 17:00
〇Winter season (around November to March) Open around 9:00 Close around 16:00 -
Entrance fee
Adult (over 18 years old) 800 yen
Children (elementary school students to high school students): 400 yen
☆Group discounts (20 people or more) and annual passports are also available.
※It will be the amount as of August 2023 -
From Jinpyokaku
There is a “Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Private Parking Lot” located right on the mountain side of the hotel.
“Yamanouchi-cho Kanbayashi Onsen” is the closest lodging facility to Jigokudani Monkey Park.
When you come to Jigokudani Monkey Park, please come to Kanbayashi Onsen’s Jinpyokaku, where you can enjoy the nature of each season.