Jigokudani Monkey Park: A park where the monkeys rule

Jigokudani Monkey Park: the monkeys’ “swimming pool” is located right at the entrance to the park – Credits: GoNagano

Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture

Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑) is one of the few places in the world where visitors can get up close and personal with Japanese macaques bathing in a hot spring. The park area is the natural habitat of around 150 monkeys and the site is in Yamanouchi City, Nagano Prefecture.
Their “swimming pool” is located right at the entrance to the park. It's quite fun to watch them bathe while interacting. Also known as snow monkeys, they are used to human presence. It is expressly forbidden to touch them or give them food. The park's information center helps tourists understand how the flock behaves, maintaining a collection of photos and data that can also be accessed online. Employees constantly monitor the group.

Inn in Yudanaka, Nagano Prefecture – Credit: GoNagano

At Jigokudani Monkey Park, monkeys play in the hot springs

The best time to see them is in winter, from December to March, when the park is covered with a thick layer of snow. The cold makes them all enjoy bathing in the hot springs. However, the same does not occur in the summer, when the monkeys need an incentive to bathe. For this, employees throw food into the “pool”.
Jigokudani Monkey Park is also known for being in a valley with significant volcanic activity, close to Shibu and Yudanaka, villages known for their hot spring inns. Therefore, it is worth seeing the monkeys and then doing the same as them: entering an onsen and relaxing.