Jigokudani Yaen-koen（Snow Monkeys Park)

This is the only facility in the world where you can observe wild Japanese monkeys bathing in hot springs up close.

Located at the far end of the Jigokudani hot springs in the valley of the Yokoyu River, which originates in the Shiga Kogen Plateau, a troop of over 100 monkeys lives in the vicinity.

The humorous sight of monkeys warming themselves in a special open-air bath during cold weather is especially popular.

Most of the monkeys live in tropical and subtropical regions, and the sight of Japanese monkeys bathing in the hot springs during the winter is very famous overseas as “snow monkeys.

They are often introduced in foreign media and attract many tourists from abroad, despite the inconvenient road conditions.

The monkeys are indifferent and unafraid of tourists because they are in a semi-wild state, thoroughly trying to show tourists the symbiosis between monkeys and humans.
Sometimes they do not show up at the public park even during business hours.

The name “Jigokudani” (Hell Valley) was given to the area because of the constant plumes of smoke from the spring water, which is nearly 100°C. The park is 850 meters above sea level, with a snowfall of over 1 meter, and the minimum temperature is -10°C during the severe winter.

The park is located in a wildlife habitat (deep in the mountains) and requires a 30-minute walk along a mountain trail.
In front of the park, there is the Jigokudani Fountain, a fountain of astringent water that spews out nearly 100 degrees Celsius.