Yamanochi Trip Overview
Jigokudani Yaen-koen is home to hundreds of “snow monkeys”, known as such because they spend their days soaking in the mountainous hot springs. In 1970 they appeared on the cover of Life magazine in the U.S. due to this unique behaviour. Furthermore, in 1998, when the winter Olympic Games was held in Nagano, lots of athletes, media, and tourists from foreign countries visited.
Monkeys don’t soak in the hot spring in the warm season because they bathe in order to prevent from the severe coldness in winter. Soaking in the hot spring is only one part of the monkeys’ life. You can also see them lazing or frolicking on the nearby mountain and forest.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Yamanochi, Japan
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> Half-day Tours
Explore Yamanochi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Yamanochi, Nagano, Japan
Jigokudani Yaen-koen is home to hundreds of “snow monkeys”, known as such because they spend their days soaking in the mountainous hot springs. In 1970 they appeared on the cover of Life magazine in the U.S. due to this unique behaviour. Furthermore, in 1998, when the winter Olympic Games was held in Nagano, lots of athletes, media, and tourists from foreign countries visited.
Monkeys don’t soak in the hot spring in the warm season because they bathe in order to prevent from the severe coldness in winter. Soaking in the hot spring is only one part of the monkeys’ life. You can also see them lazing or frolicking on the nearby mountain and forest.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Yudanaka Station Tourist Information Center, 3227-2 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
The tour starts from this station.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Yudanaka Station Tourist Information Center, 3227-2 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
This tourist information center is pretty small, but interesting and has quite good information for tourists. You can take a map or brochure for free.
Stop At: Jigokudani Funsen, Hirao Jigokudani, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
Jigokudani Fountain is blowing high. Jigokudani means Hell Valley in Japanese, Jigokudani Fountain is designated as a national natural monument. The hot spring that gushes from the bottom of the river is a natural fountain that can be up to 20 meters high. It’s dynamic landscape is also great!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, 6845 Heion, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
Located in the Yokoyu River Valley at an altitude of 850m, the Jigokudani Yaen Koen is known as “Hell Valley” due to the steep cliffs and steam emitting from the springs. It’s buried in snow for a third of the year but is a paradise for the monkeys of Nagano area as they enjoy bathing in the hot springs to warm up.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Shibu Onsen, 2211-1 Oaza Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
Shibu Onsen is a historic and attractive hot spring town in Yamanouchi, which has retained a traditional atmosphere. Nestled in a small valley, Shibu Onsen is spread out on a gentle slope beside the Yokoyugawa River, with Yudanaka Onsen located below and the Jigokudani Monkey Park above.
