Jigokudani Monkey Park- Where Monkeys Bath in Hot Springs

Jigokudani is a valley surrounded by steep rock walls where steam can be seen rising from natural hot springs. Jigokudani Monkey Park is famous for its massive population of wild Japanese snow monkeys, who use the natural spa exclusively by themselves.

These are also referred to as Japanese macaques, “Macaca fuscata,” in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, located in the valley of the Yokoyu River in the northern part of the prefecture.

Jigokudani, meaning (Hell’s Valley,” is famous for the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and terribly cold and intimidating forests. The heavy snowfalls cover the area for 4 months in a year at an elevation of 850 meters. The main onsen bath was constructed specifically for use by the monkeys.

Jigokudani Monkey Park is only accessible through a 2 km footpath via forest, mostly uncrowded in spite of being relatively well-known. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of hot springs and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

Though monkeys are fed by park attendants, they are in the area of the hot springs all year round, and a visit at any time will enable the tourist to observe hundreds of the macaques. This region receives heavy snowfall, usually white, from December to March, with January and February being the best times to visit the monkey park.

During the colder season, when food is very limited, monkeys congregate in and around the pools for warmth and the daily supply of barley and soybeans. Further, sometimes monkeys are sighted even in the summer as they take occasional baths because they are enticed by food thrown into the pool by park wardens.

Moreover, macaques are medium-sized monkeys and have a stocky body with a head and body length of approximately 500mm. The tail length is less than a quarter of the head and body length; they have grayish or brownish fur color, well-developed cheek paunches, ischial callosities, and red faces. The biggest male was about 600mm, the biggest female was about 450mm, and infants were about 300mm.

In 1963, a young female monkey clambered into a hot spring to collect soybeans that were floating on the surface of the water. This unusual behavior was followed by others in the troop, and soon it became common for the monkeys to retreat to the hot pools when the harsh winter arrived.

Naturally, the tourists followed soon after. The wild monkeys keep there own schedules, as their are no fences or cages, and they do whatever they like. That’s the beauty of this whole Jigokudani Monkey Park. Something that sets it apart from many of Japan’s other animal experiences.

Hence, a visit to the Nagano area would not be complete without seeing the Japan Snow Monkeys. Notwithstanding it’s relatively remote location, approximately 100,000 visitors trek through the woods of Nagano each year to see wild snow monkeys. Overnight visitors usually base themselves in nearby Kanbayashi Onsen, Shibu Onsen, or Yudanaka Onsen.

It’s definitely the most scenic, with snow-capped trees surrounding groups of bathing Japanese macaques. Visitors can observe there natural lifestyle, and numerous photos are on display at the Jigokudani Monkey Park management building. 

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Source: Wikipedia