By the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Is there a hot spring so comfortable that even monkeys fight to soak in it with humans? It's the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park in the mountains of Nagano, Japan. This unique sight has even been voted one of the top ten most desired scenic spots in Japan by foreign tourists.
Nagano’s Jigokudani has gained fame for its snow monkeys that love soaking in hot springs. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida)
The Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in the Yokoyu River Valley at an elevation of 850 meters in the Shiga Highlands of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Japan.About one-third of the year, this area is covered in heavy snow, creating a harsh environment. Due to the steep cliffs and rising steam from the hot springs, ancient people called this place “Jigokudani” (Hell Valley). Japan often names places deep in the mountains that emit steam and the smell of sulfur as “Jigokudani.” You may know of several Jigokudani in Japan—Hokkaido has one, Kyushu has one too—but among them,Nagano’s Jigokudani is world-famous as a paradise for wild monkeys to soak in hot springs. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people travel from far and wide to the deep mountains just to catch a glimpse of the monkeys’ adorable, relaxed, and rosy-cheeked expressions as they enjoy their hot baths.
The snow monkeys’ cozy and charming appearance while soaking in hot springs is truly endearing. (Image source / guide.travel.co.jp)
The snow monkeys’ cozy and charming appearance while soaking in hot springs is truly endearing. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida)
These wild monkeys have earned the name "snow monkeys" because they often have snowy heads as they soak in the hot springs amidst the year-round snow of Nagano.
It’s common to see monkeys soaking together and enjoying family time. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida)
When winter arrives and temperatures plummet, covering the valley in white, these clever animals have found a cozy way to live. Observe their contentedly flushed faces, foraging for food in the snow before returning to the hot springs to warm up. Here you can see little monkeys playing in the water, adult monkeys cuddling together, and monkeys of all sizes helping each other pick off lice. Their carefree and simple expressions make all worries fade away.
The park has a special hot spring pool dedicated to the snow monkeys. (Image source / guide.travel.co.jp)
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