Hike to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Details
Distance
2 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Queenie K
Cutest in winter, the famous "snow monkeys" in Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park in northern Nagano relax in hot springs (or "onsens") while humans, allowed up close and personal, marvel at their sedentary lifestyle.
This is a short hike in the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see the Snow Monkeys - they're actually Japanese Macaques, native to northern Japan. The 1.6km (one-way) track leads gradually uphill in a forest before opening out in the valley, where a river runs below.
Spend a good amount of time watching the monkeys, who just sit in the hot springs and occasionally pick bugs out of the hair of others.Try not to come exactly on 12pm, because they're fed then - it's cool to see them running around, but they're not as cute as when they're in the baths!
Know for
Nearby
🌎
Local adventures
Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Yamanouchi-machi.
🏕
Nearby lodging
Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Yamanouchi-machi.
Reviews
Leave a ReviewSlippery and beautiful in winter
We enjoyed this park as a family last winter. We stayed in one of the ryokans in town and hiked to the monkeys. So many monkeys and beautiful views! The trail was quite slick. Holding hands of small children was recommended. We thoroughly enjoyed this outing.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
Nearby Adventures
Hike to the Source of the Shinano River
Hike Kamikochi Valley
Climb Mt. Buko (武甲山)
© 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy