Snow Monkeys Holidays

Tourists flock to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see Japan’s famous ‘snow monkeys’. These characterful macaques live in the forested hills around natural geothermal hot springs and have become well known for their amusing antics, particularly their habit of relaxing in the warm waters during cold weather.

The monkeys are wild, but over time they have grown accustomed to human presence, allowing visitors to observe them from close quarters. It is possible to see the monkeys year round, though they are particularly photogenic when the area has a dusting of snow (Nov-Mar), with the contrast between the white landscape and the steaming baths creating the most iconic scenes.

Many visitors base themselves in the nearby hot spring village of Shibu Onsen, a traditional town with narrow stone streets, wooden ryokan, and historic public baths, and then make the short trip into the mountains to reach the park. Alternatively, the city of Nagano provides a convenient base, with easy transport links to the surrounding mountains and nearby attractions.

Trailfinders offers a range of Snow Monkeys holidays and we have a dedicated team of destination specialists who are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore Japan on a self guided holiday, a sociable small group tour, a stopover or a cruise holiday, they are the perfect people to ask.