Jigokudani Monkey Park
Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan
In a steep-sided valley where steam rises from geothermal vents and snow blankets the ground for months each year, Japanese macaques gather in natural hot springs.…
What it's like here
In a steep-sided valley where steam rises from geothermal vents and snow blankets the ground for months each year, Japanese macaques gather in natural hot springs. Jigokudani Monkey Park, set in the forested mountains of Yamanouchi in Nagano Prefecture, offers an extraordinary glimpse of wild primates in their element—soaking in the warm waters of an onsen while winter snow surrounds them. The name itself, "Hell's Valley," reflects the dramatic landscape: boiling water bubbles through frozen ground, sheer cliffs loom overhead, and the forest is dense and unforgiving. The monkeys, known colloquially as snow monkeys, descend from those forbidding heights to warm themselves in the geothermal pools, then retreat to the forest as evening falls. What makes this encounter so rare is that you are watching hundreds of these intelligent, social creatures behaving as they naturally do—not in captivity, but in their own habitat. Park attendants feed the macaques year-round, which means they remain in the hot spring area throughout the seasons, though the winter months bring the most striking sight: monkeys bathing in steaming water while snow accumulates around them. The journey to reach the park is itself part of the experience—a narrow two-kilometer forest footpath climbs through woodland to the valley floor, keeping visitor numbers low despite the park's renown. This remoteness, combined with heavy seasonal snowfall and the elevation of 850 meters, creates a landscape that feels genuinely wild and untamed. Whether you come in the crisp winter or the gentler warmer months, you are entering one of Japan's most photogenic and unusual natural settings, where the boundary between human observation and nature's quiet routines feels almost transparent.
Highlights
- Watch hundreds of wild Japanese macaques bathing in steaming hot springs surrounded by snow and forest
- Walk the narrow two-kilometer forest footpath through mountain terrain to reach the secluded valley
- Observe the monkeys' natural behavior as they soak in the geothermal waters and move between the hot springs and surrounding cliffs
- Visit any season and see the macaques year-round, though winter offers the most visually striking contrast of warm water and deep snow
- Photograph one of Japan's most distinctive wildlife experiences in a landscape shaped by boiling springs and steep, forested valleys
Good to know
The park is accessible via a two-kilometer footpath through forest, which is the only way in. Heavy snow covers the ground for four months a year and the elevation is 850 meters, so come prepared for mountain conditions. The monkeys are fed by park attendants, so they remain in the hot spring area throughout the year. Parking, toilets, a café, Wi-Fi, and lockers are available at the park. Photography is permitted. A visit typically takes a half day and suits solo travelers, couples, families, and groups of friends.
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Questions people ask
When do the snow monkeys come to the hot springs?
The macaques are fed by park attendants year-round, so they remain in the hot spring area throughout all seasons. Winter brings the most dramatic sight, with monkeys bathing in warm water while surrounded by heavy snow, but you can observe them in summer and other warmer months as well.
Are the monkeys in the park wild?
Yes, the macaques are wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) that live in the surrounding mountains and national park. They naturally come down to the hot springs in the valley, and park attendants provide supplementary feeding to keep them in the area year-round.
How long does it take to reach the park?
The park is accessed via a narrow two-kilometer footpath through the forest, which is the only way in. The walk through mountain terrain keeps visitor numbers low despite the park being relatively well known.
Is this park part of a larger area?
Yes, Jigokudani Monkey Park is located within the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in the valley of the Yokoyu River in northern Nagano Prefecture.
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Last verified: August 16, 2026