Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park | YUDANAKA – NAGANO – JAPAN

Let me start by saying unequivocally….

I HATE MONKEYS

I can trace this hatred back to an unprovoked aggressive robbery I endured as a 10 year old carrying a bunch of recently purchased bananas at the entrance of the Monkey Forest in Bali, Indonesia. Happily carrying my bananas, (and momentarily separated from my parents), I was excited to meet these fascinating creatures and share the bananas with all the monkeys of this forest in the spirit of inter-species harmony.

But tragically, no sooner had I left the Balinese Banana vendor and taken three steps towards the rest of my family within the gate of the forest than I was pounced upon by one of Satan’s earth minions.

The evil curly tailed demon charged straight at me screaming and baring his terrifying sharp fangs….. in a flash I threw all of the precious bananas at him and ran away for my life. Inter-species harmony be damned., My opinion on these horrible jungle dwellers has been only strengthened with subsequent encounters in several other countries,

Over all of the years there has been ONE sole exception in my All Monkeys are Evil Theory…..
Amazonian Squirrel Monkeys – they happen to be acrobatic geniuses without a bad bone in their tiny adorable little bodies.

It was this exception that gave me some hope that Japanese Snow Monkeys might just be tolerable too, maybe even likeable.. I know that when I have onsen baths it leaves me feeling pretty chilled, relaxed and happy. So, as were already at “Yokoteyama” a nearby ski resort in Shiga Kogen, we made the decision to venture to one of the best places in Japan to see and interact with them: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano province.

GETTING THERE

This is the easiest way we discovered to reach the park.

FROM NAGANO

Take the NAGADEN TRAIN express to YUDANAKA STATION – About 45min and around 1,,200¥ one way adult fare.

Then, take one of the LOCAL BUSES to SHIGA KOGEN that leaves from the train station itself 2x per hour. The staff at the station are very familiar with the Snow Monkey park and can help you get the correct bus. The stop you need to get off at is called SNOW MONKEY PARK… Pretty idiot proof haha.

Then there is a nice winding 30min walk from the bus stop to the park itself that is very scenic and you might even see some Japanese squirrels!

ARRIVING AT THE PARK

When you arrive at the park you will see a small information centre where you buy your ticket (a super reasonable 800¥ per Adult) and then it is a small winding path that takes you down to the onsen hot spring area and the surrounding river which is home to the monkeys.

I have to admit that as we walked down the path I was filled with excitement more than terror. It seemed as though I had already sensed that these Japanese monkeys were going to be okay. The fact that I was not carrying bananas probably helped…. also the fact that I was no longer 10 years old maybe?

When we went we had a particularly crappy day, rainy with not a lot of the more photogenic snow present which was a bit of a shame… BUT there were a TON of monkeys of all ages in all directions, and they seemed to be just as happy to take in a sweet onsen bath on a rainy day as much as a snowy one.

I was particularly surprised at how close you get to them, I guess I had an impression we would be a distance away from the action, but you are in the thick of it, any closer and you would be in the pool with them. In fact the monkeys move around all the walking areas freely, up and down the handrails, around your legs, up the paths… It doesn’t get much more interactive than that.

Taking in the experience is anything but boring also, we ended up staying a few hours taking pics and vids and were kept well amused by the small monkey dramas that played out across our time. Small water fights, monkeys preening each other, small squabbles over seeds or berries found in the patches of melting snow and even a few monster bombs into the hot pool from some of the younger monkeys.

Taking in the expressive little faces and emotions so clearly on display,, you cannot help but come away staggered at just how HUMAN these monkeys are…. and in this specific case……. how remarkably UN-EVIL…. : )

I have updated my theory accordingly:

To visit the official Jogokudani website, click here: http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/

OUR TIPS

• Don’t carry bananas….
• Get there EARLY to avoid the crowds and potential tour groups. The park opens at 9am.
• Bring plenty of SD cards, you will take A LOT of photos of these little guys.
• Don’t carry bananas…

RECOMMENDED LINKS

• For another source of more detailed information visit:  http://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com
•  Our LOL Experience post on a nearby ski resort “Yokoteyama – Japan’s Highest Ski Resort | SHIGA KOGEN – NAGANO”: http://www.lifeoutloudofficial.com/experience/yokoteyama-japans-highest-ski-resort-shiga-kogen-nagano/
• To view all our LOL GO Experiences, click on this link: http://www.lifeoutloudofficial.com/listing-category/lol-go/