[Jigokudani Yaen Koen Travel Guide] A Rare Chance to See Monkeys Soaking in Hot Springs

Jigokudani Yaen Koen is located in the Yokoyu River valley, which flows from the Shiga Kogen area in Nagano Prefecture.
Unlike a zoo, Jigokudani Yaen Koen has no fences separating people and monkeys, and makes use of Jigokudani’s natural environment as it is.
That’s why you can observe wild Japanese macaques up close.
During the cold winter season, the monkeys enter the hot springs to warm themselves.
Monkeys bathing in hot springs are rare worldwide, and many visitors from Japan and abroad come to see them.
Watching the monkeys warm themselves in the hot springs as snow falls around them, their expressions and gestures can seem almost human, giving you a strangely fascinating feeling.
Jigokudani Yaen Koen was originally created to promote coexistence with monkeys that had lost their place to live.
This traces back to monkeys that lost their habitat due to postwar forestry.
After the trees were cut down and the monkeys lost their habitat, they came down from the mountains into villages downstream, damaging farms and fields and eventually being designated as harmful animals.
In response, the first park director aimed for coexistence with the monkeys, began feeding them upstream, and opened Jigokudani Yaen Koen in 1964.
At Jigokudani Yaen Koen, you can enjoy not only the monkeys but also the natural scenery that changes with the seasons.
Squirrels and Japanese serow, a nationally protected species, also live here, so be sure to take a walk while observing the plants and animals.

Here, we’ll introduce how to reach Jigokudani Yaen Koen by bus from Nagano Station, the gateway to sightseeing in Nagano.
There is no train station nearby, so access is by bus.

Please refer to the table below for admission and hours at Jigokudani Yaen Koen.
Hours vary by season, so be sure to check in advance.

Jigokudani Yaen Koen is famous for its monkeys soaking in hot springs.
The best time to see the park’s biggest highlight, the bathing monkeys, is from December to March. You can also enjoy beautiful snowy scenery, making winter the recommended season to visit.
April to May, the monkeys’ birthing season, is also recommended if you’d like a chance to see baby monkeys.

From here, we’ll introduce three ways to enjoy Jigokudani Yaen Koen.
Use these tips to make the most of your visit.

To observe the monkeys safely and enjoyably at Jigokudani Yaen Koen, there are rules that must be followed.
Let’s go over them here.

Located at the entrance to the walking trail for Jigokudani Yaen Koen, the cafe restaurant Enza Cafe is a great place to take a break.
The terrace faces Shiga Kogen, a UNESCO Eco Park, where you can relax while taking in and feeling the natural beauty of each season.
Another highlight is the menu, which makes use of local ingredients.
There is a wide variety of dishes, including chicken paitan ramen made with Zenkoji miso and mushroom pizza topped with Shinshu Nozawana greens.
In winter, hot ginger drinks and hot wine are also available, making Enza Cafe a perfect place to warm up after being out in the cold.

Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan is located directly across the Yokoyu River from Jigokudani Yaen Koen.
This hot spring inn has a history of more than 150 years, and its five open-air baths offer a relaxing atmosphere and rich natural scenery.
While bathing, wild monkeys may even come close to you.
Because it is surrounded by the great nature of Shiga Kogen, you can relax in a special setting far removed from everyday life.
After watching the monkeys bathe, why not soak in a hot spring yourself?

Shibu Onsen Street is within walking distance of Jigokudani Yaen Koen.
It is one of the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen areas, made up of nine hot springs scattered along the Yokoyu River and Yomase River in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, and it has long flourished as a therapeutic hot spring destination.
The town has nine public bathhouses carefully preserved by local residents, and guests staying in Shibu Onsen can use them free of charge.
One of the pleasures of the Nine Bath Tour is enjoying the historic atmosphere of the bathhouses, finding the hot spring water that suits you best, and interacting with people along the way.
After a soak, take a leisurely stroll through the retro hot spring town. You’ll find plenty of local treats, including traditional onsen manju, gelato that’s perfect after a bath, and the area’s specialty soba noodles.
After visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen, stay overnight in Shibu Onsen and enjoy both the hot springs and the nostalgic charm of the town.

This article has introduced the charms of Jigokudani Yaen Koen, how to enjoy it, and nearby spots.
The expressions and gestures of the “snow monkeys,” which are also popular with overseas visitors, are sure to leave you feeling charmed.
There are many attractive spots in the area, so be sure to enjoy the places introduced here as well.
If you want to learn more about sightseeing spots in Nagano, please also check out the article below.