JP · Nagano Prefecture · 36.73°N 138.46°E

jigokudani monkey park

Watch wild snow monkeys soak in a steaming hot spring. Peak cute in winter.

Best time
December to March for snow and the classic bathing photos. The monkeys come all year, but they soak far less in the warmer months. Spring brings babies.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
Fly to Tokyo (about 7 hours from KL), take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (about 1.5 hours), then the Nagaden train towards Yudanaka or a bus to the Kanbayashi Onsen trailhead. From there it's a 2 km walk, about 30–40 minutes.
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JP · Nagano Prefecturejigokudani monkey park36.73°N 138.46°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Watch wild snow monkeys soak in a steaming hot spring. Peak cute in winter.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingJigokudani Monkey ParkJP, Nagano Prefecture
KLjigokudani monkey park
≈ 5,297 km from KL, as the crow flies
Jigokudani_Hotspring_Gorakuen. 長野県下高井郡山ノ内町の地獄谷温泉「後楽館」, Yamanouchi

Photo: NY066 · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A steamy valley in northern Nagano where wild Japanese macaques come down from the forest to sit in a hot spring pool. It's reached by a 2 km forest path, and the famous shot is monkeys in the steam with snow on their heads.

Makan

  1. OyakiNagano's chewy dumplings stuffed with vegetables, warm and filling on a cold day.Map ↗
  2. Shinshu sobaNagano's famous buckwheat noodles, easy to find in Nagano city and the onsen towns.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The monkey onsenWatch the monkeys soak, groom and play from the edge of the pool.Map ↗
  2. The forest pathA mostly flat 2 km walk through cedar forest along the valley, snowy and quiet in winter.Map ↗
  3. Shibu OnsenAn old hot spring town nearby, where overnight guests can hop between nine small public baths.Map ↗
  4. Zenko-jiA big, old temple in Nagano city, easy to see before or after the monkeys.Map ↗

Good to know

  • These are wild animals. Don't feed, touch or crowd the monkeys, keep food out of sight and don't stare them in the eye.
  • In winter the path is snowy and icy, so wear boots with good grip.
  • On some days few monkeys come down to the pool, so build in some slack.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.