Is Jigokudani Monkey Park trip worth it?

I am going to Japan in about 8 weeks time. I will be in Tokyo for about five days. I was going to be going to Kamakura for a day but I have changed my mind as I will be seeing quite a few temples while I am in Kyoto and Nara. I am deciding if I want to make the trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park for the day or spend another day around Tokyo. So is t he trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park worth it?

I have not been to Jigokudani but to the neighboring Yudanaka park.

It was one of the highlights of that particular trip, especially as it was snowing. Totally worth the trip!

I would say it is most definitely worth it. Was one of the highlights of my first trip to Japan. Great experience and lovely surroundings. I stayed in Nagano, there was a great deal through booking.com for the Hotel Metropolitan Nagano which is right next to the station, so easy for hopping on an early train to see the Monkeys. It was a few years ago, but maybe they still offer large discounts through Booking, so worth a look maybe :)

If you want to interact with monkeys by feeding them, the monkey park in Arashiyama is great. If you want to see monkeys soaking in onsen just like you, the Jigokudani monkey park is great.

Yes - it is a nice walk through the forest and the monkeys are good to watch (no interaction). I like it.

Talking with the owner of the ryokan I say at many people invent complaints and reasons like it is cold in winter and there is monkey poo on the ground - they probably shouldn't be travelling to the wild snow monkeys in the snow.

When?

Monkey Park access road is Unpaved like this.
https://youtu.be/ojUWefCwqhw
So if in winter or after rain will be slippy need good shoes/boots.

Snow monkey is worthfull but other season are not so.
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
https://youtu.be/cGPDcIEcnjo
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/3086532/
http://doskoi-takayuki.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2014/02/post-31b6.html

Hi, I plan to visit the park in mid December. My concern is the monkeys are not around for many days now probably off to the forest, I check the live webcam almost daily and it shows no sight of them. If they don't show up and the park is closed near my travel dates, are there any other sightseeing options? I don't ski so don't plan to go to ski resort. Many thanks in advance.