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Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) (Yamanouchi)

Japan / Nagano / Nakano / Yamanouchi
 nature conservation park / area, hot spring, interesting place

Japan's Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaenkōen) is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. It is part of the Joshin-etsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning "Hell's Valley", is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.

A site famous for snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata - see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_monkey), taking a bath in hot springs. About 2hours from Nagano City by train (1.5hrs via Nagaden Dentetsu) and bus (20min via Shigakoen bus). then a good 1.7km hike along a forest trail (wear good shoes). Entrance fee is 500yen. Worth every effort (bring a good camera with lots of memory space, and a spare)!

view the site thru www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm.

Snow Monkey Minibus
This minibus service has special permission to park closer to where the snow monkeys are. This means only a 10 minute walk. It is strongly recommended to book tickets for this bus in advance. See Snow Monkey MiniBus (www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/snow_monkey_mini_bus - check it for timetable and conditions!)

Public Bus
There is a public bus from Nagano Dentetsu Yudanaka Station to a car park followed by a 30 minute walk.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   36°43'58"N   138°27'39"E

Comments

  • it's about 35 kms from Nagano - how can that take 2 hours???
This article was last modified 6 years ago