Jigokudani is a valley at an altitude of 850 meters, and is a harsh environment covered with snow for almost one-third of the year. However, this place is a paradise for monkeys. Groups of Japanese macaques have been living here naturally since ancient times.

Jigokudani Monkey Park is known as the only place in the world where you can observe monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter. In winter, the average temperature in Jigokudani drops below freezing, so the monkeys bathe in hot springs to warm their bodies. The sight of monkeys bathing in hot springs attracts many tourists.

Currently, about 150 Japanese macaques live in Jigokudani Monkey Park. The monkeys are used to humans, so you can observe them at close range. Surrounded by a group of monkeys, you can observe the ecology of wild Japanese macaques up close.

[Concerns about duties]

Because they are wild monkeys, they do not always bathe in hot springs. We feed them minimally, so the monkeys gather here, but in summer they only play in the water and do not relax in the hot springs.
It is recommended to visit in the winter, but since snow accumulates, it is easier to bring a car outside of winter.

Winter (December to March): The monkeys are most famously and frequently observed soaking in the snow for long periods of time.

Early summer (around June): On chilly days, on rare occasions, a few monkeys may enter the bath to regulate their body temperature or for fun.

Midsummer (July to August): Due to the high temperature, there is almost no reason to soak in the hot springs, so many monkeys spend their time bathing in the surrounding streams or cooling off in the forest.