Jigokudani Yaen Koen: A day trip to Japan’s Snow Monkey Park

Wind through 2 km of scenic forest path where pine trees tower above and snow skirts the hillsides to reach the steamy, shaded valley known as Jigokudani or ‘Hell’s Valley’. This geothermal hotspot is home to hundreds of red-faced Japanese macaques who have become quite the icon of the Japanese Alps.

The snow monkeys have been observed by scientists and researchers due to this remarkable behaviour - the only of its kind - and have since become a must-see for visitors in Japan. The first sighting of a hot spring monkey was in 1963, when a single female began soaking in the heated waters. The behaviour has since been passed from generation to generation and the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park was established in 1964 so visitors can watch the masters of soaking.

Usually kept warm by their thick, downy layer of fur, the Japanese macaques can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees. This hasn’t stopped them from enjoying the warming waters of the onsen, and they now regularly spend their morning relaxing.

This guide gives you everything you need to know about visiting the Snow Monkey Park and how to see the hot spring monkeys in Japan. Want to know if it’s worth the journey? Read on to find out the best time to visit, how to get there, and whether or not the experience is right for you.

How to see the snow monkeys in Japan

Seeing the snow monkeys is a bucket list item for lots of visitors heading to Japan, especially in winter. As their nickname suggests, the best time to see the Japanese macaques is in winter when the cold weather draws them to soak in the steaming hot springs.

You can visit the hot spring monkeys in Japan as a day trip from Nagano or stay nearby in the onsen towns of Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen - the perfect place to enjoy your own hot spring experience!

Best time to see snow monkeys in Japan

The Snow Monkey Park is open year round, so you can visit at any time of the year. However, if you want to see the monkeys in the hot springs, then late autumn to early spring are your best bet. If you want higher chances of snow, then late December to February have the highest probability of snow.

It’s worth knowing that if you visit in winter without snow, the area may feel underwhelming. It’s quite muddy and the landscape is sparse - mostly rocky with spindly trees bare of leaves with a stream running through. The main drawcard here is the monkeys, so I’m just setting your expectations.

We visited at the very end of December on a sunny day and there was lingering snow from snowfall a few days prior. While I would have loved to have captured photos with the monkey's fur covered in snowflakes, it wasn’t to be. I knew this going in and my expectations weren’t let down as a result.

The monkeys are in the hot springs more often on cold winter mornings. The park opens at 9am in winter and I recommend aiming to get there as soon as you can enter. Not only are you more likely to see the monkeys in the onsen, but you’ll also beat the tour groups and busy periods. We arrived just after opening and by the time we left around 11am it was getting far too busy for my liking.

Entrance fees and opening times for Jigakudani Yaen Koen

You can only purchase tickets to the Snow Monkey Park on the day of your visit. The ticket office is located at the end of the forest walk and lines can get quite long from mid-morning to early afternoon - as that’s the busiest time for visitors.

Prices

800 yen for adults

400 yen for children

There is a small souvenir shop in the same building as the ticket office. You can enter before exploring the park or when you exit. Once you exit, you cannot re-enter, so only do so when you are truly ready to leave. If you’re collecting stamps from your visit to Japan, the souvenir store has a stamp near the payment counter.

Open hours

8:30am-5pm from April to October

9am-4pm from November to March

Tips for visiting the Snow Monkey Park

Wear appropriate footwear | The trail can be slippery or muddy, especially if there is ice on the path in winter. I recommend wearing slip-resistant shoes, preferably boots that are also waterproof. I saw lots of people wearing new white trainers and even heels - definitely don’t do this.

Dress warm | The monkey park is located in a shaded valley, which means not only do winter temperatures come into play, but it can be windy or feel colder without direct sunlight. Not sure what to pack for Japan in winter? Check out my winter packing guide.

Carry cash | From transport to cafes, most places only accept cash in this area. So make sure you have enough on you to cover transport, snacks, and entrance fees.

Pack enough batteries | In the cold, batteries can lose their charge faster than you might be used to. Make sure you carry several fully charged batteries so you don’t miss those amazing photo opportunities.

Keep any food or snacks packed away | While the monkeys here are much better behaved than the ones I’ve seen in Bali and Costa Rica, they will definitely be tempted by food. So either leave it at home or keep it packed away in your bag and out of sight. There are some cafes near the parking lot if you want to grab something before or after you visit.

Don’t touch the monkeys | This should go without saying, but don’t touch the monkeys. They’re wild animals and should be left alone - just observe.

How to get to Jigokudani Monkey Park from Nagano

There are a few options if you’re travelling from Nagano to the snow monkey park.

By bus

The most direct route is via bus from Nagano station. Head to bus stop number 3 from the east exit, where up to 10 buses depart daily - you can check the timetable here. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can use this for the journey, or alternatively tickets are 1800 yen. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

By train and bus

Take the local Nagano-Dentetsu Line from Nagano station to Yudanaka. This is a local line and the entrance is just outside the east exit. Head down the escalator and purchase a ticket - the machines are cash only and the fee for the express train is 1290 yen. This route is not covered by the JR Pass. Once you reach Yudanaka station you can catch a bus to the snow monkey park from outside the station. Tickets are 310 each way and must be paid in cash.

Alternatively, you can catch a taxi for the short drive to the monkey park.

How to get to Jigokudani Monkey Park from Yudanaka

If you’re staying in Yudanaka, the journey to the snow monkey park is easy. Jump on the Nagaden local bus from Yudanaka station and get off at the snow monkey park stop - the bus will announce the stop. The journey takes approximately 8 minutes and there are two lines that operate, the Kanbayashi Line and Shiga Kogen Line. You can check bus timetables here and tickets cost 310 yen each way and are only cash.

From the monkey park bus stop, head towards the snow monkey resort information and gift shop. The path through the forest to the ticket office is approximately 2 km and takes around 30 minutes to reach. There are a few stairs but the path is mostly flat with a relative incline.

Can you visit the snow monkeys from Tokyo?

My first piece of advice is that I don’t recommend this. Not only is it a long day, but you risk missing transport connections, you won’t be able to make it for opening, and the experience overall isn’t worth such a long day trip. There’s so many other incredible day trips from Tokyo that will be worth your time.

Best places to stay to visit the Snow Monkey Park

For the best experience, I recommend staying close to the monkey park in either Yudanaka or Shibu Onsen. There are some great ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and many also have onsens for guests to use. Additionally, both towns have public onsens if your accommodation doesn’t have one. Here are my top picks for staying near Jigokudani Yaen Koen.

Yudanaka

Yudanaka Tawaraya Ryokan | This beautiful family-run ryokan is where we stayed in Yudanaka and was absolutely perfect. Just five minutes from Yudanaka station, guests can enjoy a traditional stay including sleeping on futons on tatami mats. The onsen offers the option to book a 30-minute private outdoor onsen and you can enjoy an optional dinner and breakfast which guests love. The onsen is also tattoo friendly. Check prices and availability here.

Yudanaka Yasuragi | This budget-friendly ryokan is intimate, with just six guest rooms available. Spend the night sleeping on tatami floors and soak in the soothing waters at one of two onsens - which are tattoo friendly. This ryokan only offers indoor onsens, but with a glass wall looking out to the garden, you’ll feel like you’re outside! Check prices and availability here.

Aburaya Tousen | A hotel with Japanese-style rooms is a great option and offers an onsen and a great rooftop restaurant. There are incredible views looking out across the mountains and nearby river, and some rooms offer private open-air baths. There are rooms that can also accommodate up to four people, making it a great option for families. Check prices and availability here.

Yorozuya | This 4-star stay offers Japanese-style rooms with private terraces and bathrooms, with rooms available for up to groups of six. There are four onsens, a mix of indoor and outdoor, and a great traditional Japanese dining option. For a high-end stay, this is a great choice. Check prices and availability here.

Shibu Onsen

Senjukaku | Beautiful Japanese gardens, open-air baths, and beautiful Japanese-style rooms make this a great stay just a short distance from the snow monkey park. Beautiful mountain views greet guests, and rooms offer en suite bathrooms - which can be less common for traditional properties. Check prices and availability here.

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA | Private hot springs, outdoor baths, a spa, and beautiful tatami floor rooms make for a 5-star stay. The property offers a free shuttle from Yudanaka station and guests can enjoy two on-site restaurants during their stay. Check prices and availability here.

Sakaeya | Modern Japanese-style rooms are great for couples or groups. Some rooms offer mountain views, while others have a private external open-air bath. Wear traditional yukatas (Japanese robes) and all guests can enjoy access to the public baths. Check prices and availability here.

Is it worth seeing the hot spring monkeys in Japan?

Seeing the snow monkeys in the onsen is a unique experience and under the right conditions can seem quite magical. However, I want to ensure your expectations are aligned with the experience. If you’ve never seen wild monkeys before, this is definitely a great option. Children will also enjoy the experience.

However the time of year you visit and what time of the day you arrive can have a big impact on how enjoyable the experience is too. Early morning is the best time to visit and colder weather increases the chances of the monkeys being in the hot spring. For snow, late December to March is best.

While the monkeys are wild and not in captivity, this doesn’t feel like an entirely organic experience either - not like on safari for example. There is an employee that will throw some food around from time to time and I’ve heard from other visitors that they will coax the monkeys to stay later in the day if there are still visitors. It can also be very busy from mid-morning, so we were glad to have arrived early and departed when it began getting busy.