Jigokudani Monkey Park
The Jigokudani Monkey Park (nJ쉎, Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) offers visitors the unique experience of seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. The park is inhabited by Japanese Macaques, which are also known as Snow Monkeys. It is located in the monkey's natural habitat, in the forests of the Jigokudani valley in Yamanouchi, not far from the onsen towns of Shibu and Yudanaka.
The park has one man-made pool around which the monkeys gather, located a few minutes' walk from the park entrance. Visitors may already encounter monkeys along the path to the pool. The monkeys live in large social groups, and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, they can be observed from close and almost completely ignore their human guests. Naturally, it is prohibited to touch or feed the monkeys.
The park has a small information center, which includes an explanation of the alpha male system of the monkey troop, as well as portraits of the park's present and former alpha males, dating back dozens of years. There is an online live camera beside the monkey pool.
Although the park is open all year round, the bathing monkeys are particularly photogenic when the area is covered in snow. There is usually snow in the region from December to March, and the best timing for a visit is January and February. Monkeys enter the bath around the year, but they sometimes need some encouragement to do so by park wardens throwing food into the pool, especially during the warmer seasons of the year.
The monkeys are free to leave the park, and there are times when there are no monkeys around. To avoid disappointment, check the official website before your visit. It includes frequent updates and forecasts about the presence of the monkeys.
Jigokudani, in which the park is located, means "hell valley" and is a common name for valleys with volcanic activity. Although its landscape is not as dramatic as some of Japan's other jigokudani, Yamanouchi's Jigokudani does produce a few steaming hot springs. There is a ryokan called Korakukan in the valley, which visitors will pass along the way to the monkey park.
Getting there and around
There are two approaches to the Monkey Park: one requires a 25-40 minute walk through the forest, while the other requires a 10-15 minute walk from the nearest parking lot.
The first approach involves taking a bus to the Snow Monkey Park bus stop from Yudanaka Station (10 minutes, 390 yen, 1-2 buses/hour), Shibu Onsen (5 minutes, 250 yen, 1-2 buses/hour) or Nagano Station (40 minutes, 2000 yen, hourly in winter; every 2-3 hours outside winter). From the Snow Monkey Park bus stop, it is a 30-40 minute walk to the monkey park. The walking trail is passable around the year, but sturdy footwear is recommended especially in winter.
The alternative approach involves a 10-15 minute walk from a paid parking lot just to the west of the monkey park. However the narrow road from Shibu Onsen to the parking lot is not served by public transportation and gets closed in winter. Although rather time-consuming, it would be possible to walk to the parking lot from Shibu Onsen in about 45-60 minutes when there is no snow.
Some lodgings in Yudanaka and Shibu offer their guests free rides to the parking lot.
How to get to and around Yamanouchi
Hours and Fees
Hours
9:00 to 16:00 (November to March)
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Yamanouchi
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SponsoredYudanaka Seifu-soA traditional ryokan with wooden building by Yudanaka Station. Unique onsen - private, open-air, apple, leaf baths etc.View siteSponsored -
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SponsoredHotel TsubakinoHotel Tsubakino is an onsen ryokan with traditional setting and modern comfort. Enjoy the majestic views of mountains while bathing in the open-air private onsen. 3 min from Yudanaka Station.View siteSponsored -
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SponsoredWafu-no Yado MasuyaA tasteful, authentic ryokan with over 140 year history. Free shuttle to the Monkey Park. Savor the award winning dinner. 100% natural onsen and Free Wi-Fi.View siteSponsored
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Yudanaka Onsen YamazakiyaSituated 3 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, Yudanaka Onsen Yamazakiya offers accommodation in Yamanouchi with access to a hot spring bath. This 3-star ryokan offers free shuttle service and full-day security. The ryokan features rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. At the ryokan, the units come with a tatami and a flat-screen TV. At the ryokan, every unit is fitted with a shared bathroom with slippers and free toiletries. An Asian breakfast is available at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Ski storage space is available on-site and skiing can be enjoyed within close proximity of Yudanaka Onsen Yamazakiya. Ryuoo Ski Park is 12 km from the accommodation, while Suzaka City Zoo is 24 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 104 km away.View on Booking.com -
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SakaeyaLocated in the centre of Shibu hot-spring area and a 5-minute drive from Yudanaka Train Station, Sakaeya offers Japanese-style accommodations. Guests can enjoy the on-site indoor/outdoor public hot-spring bath and wear the provided colourful Japanese Yukata robes. You can watch monkeys bathing in hot-spring water at the Snow Monkey Park, a 10-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each comes with a satellite TV, a safety deposit box and a fridge. They include a private toilet, while bathrooms are shared. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary sweet snack and green tea upon arrival. Guests can relax at the shared lounge or shop for traditional gifts at the souvenir shop. Photocopying and luggage storage services are offered at the front desk. Free Wi-Fi is available at the public areas. A traditional multi-course is served for dinner and a Japanese set-menu for breakfast. Sakaeya Ryokan is a 10-minute walk from Heiwa Kannon and a 20-minute drive from Shiga Kogen Sun Valley Ski Resort. Zenko-ji Temple and JR Nagano Train Station are a 1-hour drive away.View on Booking.com -
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AIBIYAOffering a barbecue and ski storage space, AIBIYA is located in Yamanouchi in the Nagano Region, 4.1 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park. Each room at this property features air-conditioning and heating, and low beds with individual lights. All rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor where guests can unwind and relax. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. Ryuoo Ski Park is 6 km from AIBIYA, while Hasuike Pond is 7 km away. A complimentary breakfast is served, consisting of bread, yogurt, seasonal fruits and coffee. Guests will also find a shop featuring local artworks on site.View on Booking.com -
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Yudanaka YasuragiA small 6-room inn with Ryokan meals and cosy interiors, Yasuragi is just a few minutes drive to Jigokudani Monkey Park and an 8-minute walk from Yudanaka Train Station. Hot-spring baths are featured. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and free pick-up service from Yudanaka Station is provided. Yasuragi Innfs Japanese-style rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors, futon beds and a flat-screen TV. Each room is air-conditioned. A fridge, an electric kettle and yukata robes are provided. All guests have access to the on-site hot spring public baths, and they can be reserved for private use. (please inquire at the front desk for more information.) Shiga-Kogen Ski Park and North Shiga Ski Park are both a 15-minute drive away. The property offers a free shuttle to nearby locations upon request, including Yudanaka Train Station. Parking is free. There is a convenience store right behind the inn.View on Booking.com -
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SuminoyuLocated in the Shibu hot-spring district, guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths at Suminoyu. Massages can be requested and a footbath is also available for extra relaxation. A free shuttle is offered from Yudanaka Train Station, which is a 10-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are provided in each. Rooms come with a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. Free Wi-Fi is accessible at the lobby and local products can be purchased at the gift shop. Luggage storage is available. Japanese dishes featuring local ingredients are available at the ryokan. Dinner is served in a private dining room. Please note that we are unable to accommodate food allergies or vegetarian dietary requirements. Additionally, we cannot make any changes or substitutions to the menu items. Suminoyu Inn is a 10-minute drive from Snow Monkey Park and a 25-minute drive from Shiga Kogen Ski Resort. Heiwa Kannon is a 15-minute walk away.View on Booking.com -
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Shibu HotelShibu Hotel, featuring traditional course meals using Shinshu beef, private hot springs, and shared open-air and indoor baths, is an 8-minute ride from Yudanaka Station via free shuttle bus. Traditional guest rooms feature futons laid out on tatami mats. Breakfast and dinner are Japanese set meals served in the dining hall. Check-in by 6:00 PM is mandatory for dinner service. Check-ins after this time will result in dinner not being provided, and no refunds will be issued. yInformation Regarding Allergies and Dietary Restrictionsz We accommodate dietary restrictions due to allergies or religious/philosophical reasons (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) to the extent possible. Please confirm the following points in advance: * We do not provide halal food. * Depending on the nature of your request, we may be unable to accommodate it. * Due to the nature of Japanese cuisine, we cannot provide broth made without bonito flakes, kelp, or dried sardines. Please understand this in advance. * Please notify us of dietary restrictions during online booking. The final deadline is 5 days prior to your check-in date. Changes or accommodations cannot be made after this deadline. We appreciate your understanding in advance. Experience Japanese culture with yukata robes, green tea, and zabuton seating. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a mini-refrigerator, and a TV. Each room has a private toilet. Please use the communal bathhouse for hot springs. Snow Monkey Park is 25 minutes from the hotel (10 minutes by car + 15 minutes on foot), the Nakayama Shinpei Memorial Museum is 20 minutes by car, and Zenkoji Temple is 1 hour by car. On-site parking is free. When not relaxing in the hot springs, you can visit our gift shop. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby.View on Booking.com -
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Wafu-no-Yado MASUYAOn just a 5-minute drive from Yudanaka Station, Wafu-no-Yado MASUYA features beautiful Japanese-style rooms, hot spring baths and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms boast a private outdoor hot spring bath. Masuya Wafu no Yado is a 15-minute drive from the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, as well as from the Heiwa Kannon (Peace Statue). Zenko-ji Temple is an hourfs drive away. The spacious, bright rooms at Masuya are comfortably furnished with tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. They come with a seating area, satellite TV and a fridge. Guests at the Wafu no Yado can soak in spacious indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, or take a flower pressing class. Ladies can choose from 50 colourful gowns to use. The Japanese hot spring experience is complete with award-winning multi-course dinners, served in private dining rooms. Delicious local specialities can also be ordered separately.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel TsubakinoA 3-minute walk from Yudanaka Station, Hotel Tsubakino features indoor and outdoor hot spring baths with a vista of snowy mountain peaks. The hotel offers Japanese-style rooms with free Wi-Fi. From Tsubakino Hotel it is a 40-minute drive to Jigokudani Monkey Park, as well as to the Hokusai-kan Museum in Obuse Town. Guestrooms feature tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. They are fitted with a TV and an electric kettle. En suite bathrooms come with a shower. Tsubakinofs hot-spring baths are public or reservable for private use, for a fee. Massage service is available. The hotel houses a souvenir shop. Hotel Tsubakinofs restaurant serves Japanese multi-course dinners featuring Shinshu beef and fresh local vegetables. For breakfast, guests can opt between Western and local dishes.View on Booking.com -
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Onyado Hishiya TorazoLocated in the Shibu hot-spring area, Onyado Hishiya Torazo features Japanese-style accommodations. Guests can soak in the indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths and female guests can enjoy wearing colourful Japanese Yukata robes. Yudanaka Train Station is a 10-minute drive away and free Wi-Fi is available in the shared lounge. The air-conditioned rooms feature a TV, a green tea set, and slippers. Some rooms feature a private toilet, while all rooms share the bathrooms. Guests can enjoy making paper crafts at the Origami Gallery or purchase souvenirs at the gift shop. Photocopying and luggage storage services are available. A Japanese multi-course meal is available for dinner. Torazo Onyado Hishiya is a 15-minute drive from Jigokudani Monkey Park, and a 20-minute drive from ski slopes at Shiga Highlands.View on Booking.com -
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Shiga Kogen LodgeShiga Kogen Lodge features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Yamanouchi, 20 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. A buffet, American or Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. The lodge offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath and terrace. After a day of hiking, skiing or cycling, guests can relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Ryuoo Ski Park is 29 km from Shiga Kogen Lodge, while Suzaka City Zoo is 32 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 114 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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