Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Nagano: A Snow Country Stories Japan Travel Guide

Outland Japan

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Episode 16 of the podcast brings us back to Nagano Prefecture and one of the snow country’s most popular destinations, Jigokudani Yaen Koen – more commonly referred to as the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Located in the enclave of Yamanouchi – 50 to 60 minutes from Nagano City – the park is home to a curious troop of Japanese macaques known for the love of bathing in hot springs. This episode has everything you need to know to plan your visit to the monkey park including just why the monkeys are there and why they are so famous, what to expect, the best times of year to visit, other destinations to visit while there, where to stay, how to get there and my services as a tour guide.

Open all year round, the monkeys come to the park in winter, spring, summer and autumn with each season offering its own reasons to visit. The monkeys are wild meaning they come and go as they please; and while they are almost certain to be at the park on the day of your visit, the fact that they are wild means their presence is not guaranteed. For that reason I recommend combining your visit to the monkeys with other destinations in the area including the famous hot spring towns of Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen or exploration of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park including Shiga Kogen Highlands UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and of course, Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort – Japan’s largest ski resort.
For more information about the park, visit our episode page and for more information about my services, see the 'Tours' section of the Snow Country Stories Japan website.
Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Power of Monkey (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:02:30)

3. History of the Snow Monkey Park (00:06:09)

4. What to Expect When You Visit (00:11:00)

5. Best Times of Year to Visit (00:15:13)

6. Hot Spring Towns of Kanbayashi, Shibu & Yudanaka Onsen (00:20:18)

7. Shiga Kogen Ski Resort / Joshinestu Kogen National Park (00:24:21)

8. Where to Stay (00:26:13)

9. How to Get There (00:28:28)

10. My Guided Tours at the Park (00:30:37)

11. Episode Close (00:32:48)