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Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen, 地獄谷野猿公苑) was created as a refuge for a local troop of monkeys who now frequent the park on a daily basis. With approximately 150 to 160 monkeys – Japanese macaques to be exact – in the troop, you are likely to encounter many on any given day and with no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors, a visit to the park is a rare chance to walk through and between wild animals going about their lives. The monkeys have achieved global fame for their unique behaviour of soaking in 'onsen' (hot springs) and ability to thrive in the deep snow of winter. But don’t let that fool you, the monkeys come to the park throughout the year and are just as entertaining in spring, summer and autumn.

Highlights

• Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and learn all about what makes the resident monkeys so unique
• Explore Zenko-ji, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, and home to the first known Buddhist statue to be brought to Japan.
• Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant and experience Nagano’s renowned food culture
• Try ‘sake’ with a tasting and learning experience all led by your guide (non-alcoholic option also available)

Want to join this tour from Tokyo? It’s easy to do! Scroll to the bottom for our FAQs including train services that you can use to join the tour!

Description

Upon entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the first thing that many visitors comment on is just how relaxed the monkeys are with our presence. Monkeys scurry about on the ground and in the trees, going about their lives without little regard for the humans walking amongst them. With no barriers between the monkeys and visitors, the park presents a rare opportunity to observe these unique wild animals in close proximity.

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Upon entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the first thing that many visitors comment on is just how relaxed the monkeys are with our presence. Monkeys scurry about on the ground and in the trees, going about their lives without little regard for the humans walking amongst them. With no barriers between the monkeys and visitors, the park presents a rare opportunity to observe these unique wild animals in close proximity.

Review

Itinerary

Day 1

07:40	Jigokudani Monkey Park TEST Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park was created as a refuge for a local troop of monkeys who now frequent the park on a daily basis. With approximately 150 to 160 monkeys – Japanese macaques to be exact – in the troop, you are likely to encounter many on any given day and with no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors, a visit to the park is a rare chance to walk through and between wild animals going about their lives. The monkeys have achieved global fame for their unique behaviour of soaking in 'onsen' (hot springs) and ability to thrive in the deep snow of winter. But don’t let that fool you, the monkeys come to the park throughout the year and are just as entertaining in spring, summer and autumn. The park is accessed via a 1.6km/1 mile forest trail starting from Kanbayashi Onsen. The trail is well-maintained and takes most visitors 25-30 minutes to walk (in each direction). In winter, the trail is likely to be affected by snow and ice, and visitors should proceed with caution. Reasonable mobility and good quality footwear are required to walk the trail in winter. Winter is the most likely time to see the monkey soaking in their hot spring – one of Nagano’s most curious and memorable experiences. Read MoreShow Less
08:20	Snow Monkey Open all-year, the Snow Monkey Park is the only place in the world that wild monkeys bathe in hot springs. Thanks to the park's policy forbidding guests to feed or touch them, the monkeys are non-aggressive and simply going about their daily lives as you watch in close proximity Read MoreShow Less
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Day 2

07:40	Hakuba Spot taxonomy test Read MoreShow Less
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Meet Up Points

Upon entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the first thing that many visitors comment on is just how relaxed the monkeys are with our presence. Monkeys scurry about on the ground and in the trees, going about their lives without little regard for the humans walking amongst them. With no barriers between the monkeys and visitors, the park presents a rare opportunity to observe these unique wild animals in close proximity.

Upon entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the first thing that many visitors comment on is just how relaxed the monkeys are with our presence. Monkeys scurry about on the ground and in the trees, going about their lives without little regard for the humans walking amongst them. With no barriers between the monkeys and visitors, the park presents a rare opportunity to observe these unique wild animals in close proximity.

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Upon entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the first thing that many visitors comment on is just how relaxed the monkeys are with our presence. Monkeys scurry about on the ground and in the trees, going about their lives without little regard for the humans walking amongst them. With no barriers between the monkeys and visitors, the park presents a rare opportunity to observe these unique wild animals in close proximity.