Alessia T

Review of Yamanouchi

This was definitely one of the highlights of my tr...

This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Japan and one of the best experiences I've had in my life! Perhaps my love of monkeys makes me biased but I think this is a great day out, even speaking objectively. The monkeys were far calmer and less aggressive than my experiences with Thai monkeys. As long as one follows the rules, they largely ignore humans, while still allowing one to get rather close. I'd recommend taking lots of photos but then putting the camera away to enjoy the experience and watch the amusing antics, the adorable nursing baby monkeys, and the colony politics that unfold. This was an easy day trip from Tokyo if you leave early enough and there is a relatively inexpensive direct shuttle bus from Nagano Station. Then, at the end of the day, enjoy a well-deserved bowl of delicious ramen at the bottom of the mountain.