Jigokudani Monkey Park: Japan’s Natural Monkey Spa
At some unknown point after the Korakukan Ryokan Hot Spring Inn opened in the mid-1800s, a tourist soaking in the inn’s natural hot springs decided to slip a Japanese macaque monkey who had wandered over from a nearby forest a little morsel of food. It didn’t take long for the macaque monkeys of the Jigokundani Valley to figure out that receiving an endless supply of snacks and lounging in hot springs aren’t exclusively human activities.
By the 1960s, several troops of Japanese macaques—otherwise known as snow monkeys—had claimed the Jigakudani hot springs as their own. It was then that the Jigokudani Monkey Park was born. In lieu of soaking in the hot springs themselves, visitors can view families of macaques monkeying around in their natural habitat. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is surrounded by serene forests where travelers can take a peaceful walk.
The most popular time to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park is in the winter, when the Jigokudani Valley is blanketed in snow. It is surreal and endearing to see countless monkeys frolicking in steaming pools with a light coat of snow covering their fur, Even though visitors are prohibited from soaking in the pools or touching the monkeys, the warmth from the thermal pools still provides a great deal of heat on frigid days to visitors strolling along the park’s boardwalk.
Through the centuries, Japanese culture has viewed snow monkeys as tricksters, scapegoats, and emissaries between gods and humans. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is the perfect place for you to draw your own conclusions about the potential character and motivations of snow monkeys, If you’re looking for a human-centric hot spring, nearby Shibu and Nozawa Onsen feature pristine natural hot springs. Perhaps the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park will inspire you to attempt some new hot spring antics.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Wild Snow Monkey Park), Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan
- Coordinates
- 36.7328, 138.4627
- Access
- The forest approach from the Snow Monkey Park bus stop takes about 30–40 minutes each way and includes slopes, steps, and unpaved sections; wheelchairs and carts cannot use the route. Date-specific online tickets are now available from the operator. The park says online-ticket holders receive priority during December–April; visitors without one may wait and, when crowded, may be denied entry. Parking is limited, and the operator recommends public transport in winter. No pets, including assistance animals, are admitted; keep children close, do not feed or touch monkeys, and do not enter the monkeys’ bath.
- Admission
- Through November 30, 2026, the official guide lists counter admission at ¥800 for adults (18+) and ¥400 for school-age children; children under six are free with a guardian. The operator announces a fee revision from December 1. Its notice is an image; Japan Guide’s current visitor page transcribes the new rates as ¥1,000 adult / ¥500 child at the counter or ¥880 / ¥440 for dated web tickets. Check the operator’s date-specific ticket page before purchase; the operator’s general guide still contains older “buy at the park” wording alongside the newer online-ticket notices.
- Time needed
- The operator’s first-visit guide says the walk from the parking area or bus stop to the park takes about 30 minutes one way. Allow at least an hour for the access walk round trip, plus time in the park; snow and trail conditions can affect the walk.
- Best season
- Winter offers the best chance of seeing macaques bathe in the hot spring, but neither sightings nor bathing are guaranteed. The operator says appearances are particularly sporadic in autumn and publishes short-range forecasts; check the forecast and webcam before making the forest walk.
- Opening hours
- Open year-round, subject to weather, natural hazards, and monkey activity: April–October 08:30–17:00; November–March 09:00–16:00. Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. The operator’s date-specific online-ticket page and homepage announce winter priority for online-ticket holders; check the live ticket page for the actual visit date.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-26
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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They’re not always nice to each other and will force the less favored ones to the fringes or even out of the springs.