Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park: A Perfect Holiday Place
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi, Japan is a natural habitat of the famous Japanese Macaques, also called Snow Monkey in this park. The park offers travelers to learn about animal behavior as the monkeys roam, play, eat, fight, and bathe in the hot spring. The park also houses a Snow Monkey resort, Information Centre, and Gift Shop besides few restrooms.
The Information Centre offers scientific knowledge about the Snow Monkey’s habitat and behavior and also about the Park’s history and establishment. The Gift Shop sells souvenirs that are reported to be pricey but visitors buy gifts from there anyways.
Category: Park
Address: 6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano, Japan
Postal Code: 381-0401
The time you can spend here
You can spend 2 hours at the Snow Monkey Park to cover all the parts.
Visiting Hours
For April to October:
Sunday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Monday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Friday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
For November to March, the park remains open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Things You Must See
Snow Monkey park
Snow Monkey Resort
Information Center and Gift Shop
Onsen hot spring
Entry Fee
The entry fee is 800 yen per adult and 400 yen per child.
How to reach
By Air
Travelers can book their delta airlines reservations to the Nearby airports “Matsumoto” to Jigokudani Monkey Park. However, you can take the Monorail to Hamamatsucho, take the walk to Hamamatsucho, take the train to Tokyo, take the train to Nagano, take the walk to Nagano, take the bus to Snow Monkey Park, then take the walk to Jigokudani Monkey Park.
By train
The bus fare is 2100 yen for a 47 minutes ride from Nagano Station that is 34 kilometers away from Snow Monkey Park.
By road
Snow Monkey Park is a 35 minutes ride from Nagano Station that is located 34 kilometers away and a one-way ride costs about 360-450 yen.
Tips for visitors
- The best time to enjoy watching the monkeys in the Park is during the winters (December – March) when there is snow.
- The place remains slippery and cold during winters so wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes when you visit.
- Wait for some time to watch the monkeys bathe in the manmade hot spring.
- To reach the park, you will have to walk uphill for 35 minutes (1.8km) from the bus stop.
- The gift shop has beautiful souvenirs while the information center provides ample information about the Park and its inhabitants.
- Do not carry any eatables inside since the monkeys sometimes become aggressive and attack people.
- Take proper care of your belongings to avoid snatching by the monkeys.
- Go early to avoid the crowd.
Attraction Write Up
The monkeys roam about freely in the park unbothered by tourists and continue to perform their natural acts of fighting, playing, etc. The sight of the monkeys gathered around the manmade hot spring to bathe and play can be entertaining sometimes. The walk area remains muddy when snow is not there and thus boots would be a wiser choice than heels or flats.
The Snow Monkey Park also offers English and Japanese explanations of the alpha and beta systems in monkey species that is quite informative. The place looks exceptionally beautiful and photogenic when it is covered in snow, especially the uphill walk from the bus stop to the park’s entrance that is lined by snow-covered forests on both sides of the white road. If you are also planning for your travel trip to here at this amazing place. Just go and check out some travel packages to “Matsumoto” Airport and book japan airlines reservations and choose the holiday packages as well that make your trip affordable and suit your pocket too with a proper itinerary to Jigokudani monkey park.
