Visiting Jigokudani Yaenkoen Snow Monkey Park is so easy. It’s so fascinating to observe these Japanese Macaque monkeys play and relax in hot and steamy onsen water. This short day trip from Nagano should be on everyone’s list of things to see in Japan.
For everything you need to know for a day trip to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, read on! From how to get there cheaply and everything to expect throughout the day.
Let’s go visit some adorable monkeys!
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What is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Onsen?
Jigokudani snow monkey park is the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs. At 850 meters in altitude, the chilly Japanese winters are escaped by bathing in the hot water.
While the monkeys do live up in the mountains, they come down for the warmth of the onsens. The monkeys search the snow for bugs as part of their natural diet, but employees of the park also provide some food for the monkeys.
This is not a zoo and there are no fences with the intent to enclose these monkeys. Although they depend on human interaction during the winter months for food, they are essentially wild. While this park is labelled as a monkey onsen, there’s a strict no swimming rule. For obvious reasons – this is their home and environment, NOT yours.
Another name for Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is Yaen-Koen and was established in 1964 as a tourist attraction. These monkeys have called this area home since ancient times, so respect them and their environment is so important.
Where is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park?
Located in the Yokoyu River Valley of the Nagano Prefecture, the park is part of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Most people visit from Nagano, as it’s the closest city to these bathing monkeys.
The closest public transport stop is Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop. From here, it’s a 30-minute walk along a trail that can be slippery during the winter months.
How to get to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Getting Jigokudani snow monkey park is pretty easy. As mentioned above, the nearest and most common city to leave from is Nagano.
From Nagano Train Station, you can take one of two options. There is an express bus from Nagano Station, and get off at Yamanouchi Town. This bus will let you off right at the beginning of the forest walk and is the most direct and easiest way too Jigokudani Yaen Koen Snow Monkey Park.
Alternatively, from Nagano Station, you can take the Dentetsu Line, you want to take the ‘Nagano-sen’ train and get off at Yudanaka Station.
Your next step is to get to Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop. This is accomplished by bus or taxi.
The walk to Jigokudani snow monkey park begins here. It’s around half an hour walk if moving at a constant pace and not stopping for pictures. It is a nice walk through a thick forest.
There is a small information cabin with bathrooms just before you descend the steps into the valley where the monkeys bathe.
My advice is to get there early. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park an incredibly popular destination. The later in the day you arrive, the thicker the crowd.
While Tokyo is further away, it’s not an uncommon day trip destination due to the Shinkansen, or the Japanese Bullet Train. This trip takes around 2.5 hours to get to Nagano Train Station, which gives plenty of time to visit the monkey onsen.
While independently making your way is super easy, there are a couple more ways I’d like to mention how to get to the onsen full of monkeys.
- One, is by car; by taking the Joshinentsu Expressway and exiting at Shinshu Nakano  IC. From here, follow route 292 to Shiga Kogen, on the left, there will be a sign for Kayanbashi Onsen and monkey obese. From here it’s a 30-minute walk.
- Or, if you’d like to make this day trip even easier, there are even guided tours to Jigokudani snow monkey park. These tours usually include another activity or point of interest with them to fill out the day.
Note: the link below is an affiliate link. I receive a commission if you book a tour from this link, this does not increase the cost of the tour for you in any way. If you have any questions at all, please contact me!
Check out some great tours for Jigokudani Snow Monkey Onsen!
How much does Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park cost? Should I buy the 2-day Snow Monkey Onsen ticket?
While you can buy this trip in individual components, the much more cost-effective way is to buy the 2-day snow monkey onsen ticket. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also easier as it’s one purchase.
So what exactly does the 2-day snow monkey pass include?
Everything you need to visit the park. More specifically, it covers:
Unlimited use of the Nagaden Bus and train route for 2 days.
Entrance fee to Jigokudani snow monkey park
This pass costs 3500 yen ($44 AUD) for adults and 1750 yen ($22 AUD) for kids between 6 to 12 years old. If you’re just looking for the park entrance fee itself, adults are 800 yen ($10 AUD) and kids between 6 to 17 years old are 400 yen ($5 AUD).
You can purchase this pass from multiple train stations, including Nagano, Gondo, Suzaka and Obuse Station.
When is the best time to visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park?
Around 30% of the year Jigokudani snow monkey park is covered in snow. Temperatures in this park can hit -10 Celsius during winter. Visiting in winter time is your best bet to see these monkey bathing in Yaen-Koen or Jigokudani Snow Monkey Onsen.
These Japanese Macaque monkeys use the heat of the water to protect from the harsh winter climate. In the warmer months, the monkeys don’t need this extra warmth. Even though these summer months don’t have many bathing monkeys, they do visit the area seeking out food left by park employees.
Winter months are roughly November to March, and the park is open from 9 am to 4 pm. In summer, usually April to October, the times extend from 830 am to 5 pm. These times vary and are subject to change due to conditions and weather. The park is open 7 days a week.
What to expect from Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
I visited the monkey onsen just outside Nagano on the 21st of February (I remember because it was my birthday!). There was a blizzard when I visited and it was very chilly on the walk to the heated pools. These monkeys are used to human contact and are comfortable walking around you. Making eye contact with monkeys can be seen as a dominance threat to them.
All up, I counted around 50 Macaque monkeys. Over half of them were almost asleep in the warm waters of Yaen-Koen, while the other played and scavenged for food buried beneath the fluffy snow.
They are totally free to roam wherever their heart’s desire, often walking amongst the tourists to get from one open pool to the next, or just take a snow break!
My group of three tried to get there as early as possible as we expected the crowds to get larger as the day warmed up. We were right. By the time we left, the crowds had grown a lot! From around 30 to over a hundred by the time we left.
Most of the time, these wild animals were relaxed and chill. There were a few shows of aggression from one monkey to another. But most of the time it was very peaceful.
Remember these are wild animals, and although altered by humans, this is still THEIR environment. Do not make eye contact with them and do NOT approach them. Respect their space.
While most monkeys search for seeds, one had a coin in its mouth, trying to chew on it. Obviously, this is super bad for the monkey. Please make sure you take all your belongings with you.
Never forget the negative impact we can have on these wild animals, please make sure to take all belongings with you.
Extra information about Yaen-Koen – Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
There are no selfie sticks allowed to be used in the park. I guess tourists would get a little too close to the wild monkeys.
There’s no swimming in the onsens here. This is a monkey only onsen!
Make sure you take any items and garbage with you when you leave. I saw a monkey with a coin in his mouth! Not a great thing to witness.
There is no paved road to the onsen. The official website states there’s no wheelchair access. The path can also be pretty uneven and slippery during the snowy months.
No pets are allowed at Jigokudani snow monkey onsen.
It should be pretty obvious, but just in case, don’t antagonize these creatures in any way. Threatening or intimidating monkeys is a good way to get bitten. Plus, they are pretty amazing creatures to enjoy and watch.
While there is an information center, no food or drink is available for purchase here.
Can I stay overnight at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
While you can’t stay overnight at the monkey onsen outside Nagano, there are a few resorts around the area. Staying overnight is a great way to ensure you’re first in line and get to spend time with the monkeys without anyone else in sight.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park highlights
- These monkeys relaxing in the hot waters!
- Many of the monkeys would play with each other and was fun to watch
- The walk through the forest was peaceful and picturesque
Video on what to expect at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Here’s a short video on visiting Japan’s Snow Monkey Park just outside of Nagano.
More Japan Travel Reading:
- Taiyoji Temple – The best Buddhist Temple overnight stay just outside Tokyo
- Bathe in red wine, sake and green tea pools at Yunnessun Onsen
- The best things to do and see in Japan
Have you been to Jigokudani snow monkey park? What did you think about your trip?
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Thanks for reading!
Safe and happy travels
Ben – Horizon Unknown