Seen Japanese Snow Monkeys Have A Bath!
16th April 2023 - New Experience Number 9.
Ever since watching a documentary about them many years ago, I’d always hoped I’d one day get to see the Japanese Snow Monkeys have a bath in the naturally occurring hot springs.
The way they behaved in the water and their almost human-like characteristics was something I was really keen to see in person.
When we finally booked our trip to Japan I made sure our route included a visit to Jigokudani Yaen-koen. We’d just have to wait and see whether the monkeys would actually be there or not! I love a wildlife experience, so I kept my fingers crossed for a sighting.
Where To See Snow Monkeys Taking A Bath
Japan is the only place in the world where you can see monkeys taking a dip in a hot spring.
In a valley in the beautiful mountainous Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park, you can find the Jigokudani valley. Despite the spectacular setting, it’s also known as Hell Valley due to the steep cliffs in the area, and the hot steaming waters. Those natural hot water pools are the perfect place for a simian soak.
What Sort Of Monkeys Are Snow monkeys?
These monkeys are Japanese macaques. They are some of the most northern primates on the planet, and live in the coldest climate where there can be snow for many months of the year, which is why they are often called Snow Monkeys.
They’ve Been Bathing For Years!
The park was set up in 1964 as a conservation area, and safe space for the animals. People have been watching our monkey mates here for decades.
Apparently, the monkeys observed humans enjoying the hot springs in a guest house in the area, and started to copy our behaviour!
Park Life
Once we got off the bus from Nagano, there was a short uphill walk to the entrance of the Snow Monkey Park. From here, there was a further twenty minute walk winding through the forest on the edge of the valley until we reached the hot springs.
I had no idea if we would actually see any monkeys at all. I wasn’t sure we were there at the ideal time of year. They regularly take to the water when it’s cold and snowy to keep warm. We were there on a nice spring day so perhaps not the most ideal conditions.
As we followed the path we spotted our first monkey watching us from a branch through the trees! Hopefully this was a good sign.
We reached the official entrance to the hot springs, where we showed our passes and proceeded through the turnstile. Our fingers were crossed that we would see our tree-swinging friends chilling in the bath.
No Monkey Business
As we were entering their territory, there were only a few rules to follow, one of them was to stay at least 1 metre away from the monkeys. It didn’t say what to do if one of them invaded our personal space and got close to us though!
Monkeying Around
Almost as soon as we exited the little wooden admission hut there were monkeys!
They blended in well with the surroundings but once we spotted one, we kept on seeing them. Loads of them! They were all across the valley; on rooftops of old buildings; in trees; crossing bridges and by the river.
There must have been at least a hundred monkeys. Some young ones playfully chased each other as they scampered over the rocks by the river. Some sat in groups grooming and picking at each other and eating the occasional tasty morsel found amongst the fur. Others stretched out and relaxed in the warm sunshine. Very young ones, wide eyed at the world, clung on to their mothers back as she went for a wander. They were incredible!
Primates Taking A Plunge
The hot spring, or onsen, was at the end of the public area of the park. The monkeys could roam beyond the human boundaries, this was their territory after all. We had to stick to the designated paths.
Monkeys lolled at the edge of the water, others bent their heads over to take a hot drink – I’m not sure I’d want to drink someone else’s bathwater!
There they were. There were monkeys actually in the water. I felt so lucky!
It was amazing seeing the monkey submerged in the water, it’s expressive face suggested it was quite happy in the warmth. It didn’t appear to have mastered any swimming techniques, but it did slowly wade across the hot spring, and sink down until the water rippled around it’s neck.
One sopping monkey fresh from a soak sat on the side extendeding its leg in a very amusing manner. I’d never seen a wet monkey before either!
It was amazing. Something that had been one of those ‘hope to go one day’ ideas for a very very long time, which could so easily have stayed on that ‘to visit’ pile for the rest of my life, was happening!
Feeding Frenzy
Just one park warden kept an eye on everything. He swept up monkey mess around the pool, and generally just watched the goings-on, every now and then having to remind visitors of the one metre rule.
The warden also had a food locker. Whilst they don’t technically feed them at the park, he would occasionally throw a handful of treats out into the valley. Those monkeys were fast as they ran to get their paws on a small snack! It was a useful tactic if he thought any situations either between the monkeys themselves, or the monkeys and humans, needed diffusing. A fistful of food would soon divert attention.
Every so often he dropped a smattering of food into the water to encourage the monkeys into some bathing action too.
Unfazed By Humans
Our primate pals did not seem at all bothered by the strange visitors in their space. In fact, they completely ignored us, even when people were gathered around to watch them as they wallowed in the water.
They didn’t run away as we walked by them. They didn’t climb on people, or try to steal bags, phones or cameras – something I’ve seen happen in other places. It was amazing being able to get so near, and observe their antics up close.
The monkeys were extremely social with each other, and it was lovely to watch the different interactions. Mostly they seemed very content, but one would shriek and bare its teeth to exert some authority if it was needed.
Their faces looked old and wise, and I couldn’t help but wonder what might be going through their minds. Maybe only thoughts of food, but sometimes they looked like they were pondering something deeper.
Was It Really A 'Wild' Experience?
It wasn’t an entirely ‘wild’ experience. It is in a paid for park, but it’s a natural park, and it’s in the monkeys natural habitat. People want to come and see the Snow Monkeys, and having clear regulations and paths is a way of keeping them and us safe. There are no cages, and the monkeys can come and go as they like. Which does also mean there’s no guarantee they will be there on a visit.
Yes, there was a park warden there for primate and people safety. He kept an eye on the visitors and ushered them away if they were getting too close to the monkeys. He also had some food. This was not to feed them all their daily required intake. However, monkeys are most likely to naturally visit the hot springs in the winter to keep warm, but knowing there might be food there is an added incentive for them to visit at any time of year. So it’s a sort of manipulation of seeing them in the wild, but it’s as close as we can get and means it’s hopefully a good experience for all parties.
I Loved Seeing The Japanese Snow Monkeys Have A Bath
There’s always the worry that reality won’t meet expectations. I reminded myself that there was no guarantee we would definitely see the Snow Monkeys on our visit.
I was absolutely thrilled to bits that we planned to see them, that they were actually there, and there were so many! I loved the experience of being a by-stander to their daily lives. I loved that they ignored all the people, and just carried on doing whatever they would usually do. I could have stayed there all day and felt incredibly lucky to witness them in person.
You could say it was a ‘chimp-ion’ day out! (Sorry! I couldn’t resist that one!)
Want To Try It Yourself?
- If you are an animal lover, I can highly recommend this unique experience if you ever visit Japan.
- You can also watch what the Snow Monkeys are up to from the comfort of your own home by visiting the webcam.
Cost Of Experience
- There are lots of tours and packages to visit the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen-koen which can be expensive but often include a guide and transport.
- A ticket to enter the park in April 2023 cost 800 yen per person, which worked out at around £4.50, so if you can find your own way there you can keep the costs down.
- We bought a Snow Monkey pass from Nagano train station. This included one time entry to the Snow Monkey Park (where there is no time limit and you can stay as long as you like), and it gave us two consecutive days of travel on some train lines, and several bus lines, (including the line to the Snow Monkey Park), so we could use it for a second day to see more of the local sights.
- Our visit in Spring 2023, cost us 3,600 yen per person for this pass, which was just under £20.
Recommendations
- If you research into visiting the Snow Monkeys, you will find some less than favourable reviews. I feel lucky that I really enjoyed my visit, it wasn’t too busy, and the monkeys seemed happy. So it’s good to bear some things in mind.
- It is a popular tourist destination. An early morning trip is likely to be the quietest time for a visit in terms of people. The monkeys generally come down in the morning too.
- There is walking involved so bear that in mind and don’t be surprised when you have to put a few steps in.
- Those amazing images you may have seen of the monkeys in the onsen in the snow are real, but of course, there isn’t always snow on the ground so it may look a little different depending on when you visit.
- Be patient. They are wild animals so there is no 100% guarantee that you will see any Snow Monkeys on a visit. However, if you can take your time and quietly wait, you may be treated to a glimpse of these cute and curious creatures.
- Take a look at the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen website for full details and history about this fantastic park.
- Wear comfy shoes.
- Dress for the weather – even in the summer it may be cooler up in the mountains, so take layers and waterproofs.
- Make sure your camera batteries are charged so you can capture some of the playful primates.