Yamanouchi Reviews

The on-site attitude of the site manager is bad. Moreover, the entrance fee is too high considering the attractions (seasonal charge classification is necessary).

The monkeys are very used to people and do as if nothing ... but it is not superfluous to follow the instructions they give you when entering.

No luck we could not go first to the tourist office in the station to see if the monkeys are important

A great walk through stunning forests before reaching the monkeys. Wear good shoes and warm layers in the winter as the snow and wind will strip the warmth from you. I went in early/mid December and there were plenty of monkeys to go around. They really couldn't care less about the people snapping photos, so plenty of candid shots.

Came here during winter. So amazing! Definitely come early though because the park closes at like 4 or 5.

So cute ! I had a lot of fun watching the monkeys and also enjoy the scenery in the fall!

The journey to the Monkeys was as much an experience itself. Breathtaking trek through a snowy mountain.

Worth a visit. Once walk up and a nice cafe/restaurant at the bottom

The little monkey is really cute, but pay attention to the closing at 16:00, and the speed from the entrance to the monkey hot spring is at least 80 minutes.

Amazing! We went in early December and saw lots of monkeys. The monkeys walked really close to us tourists and we were able to get some really great photos.

However, be prepared when you go! The walk to the park from the bus stops is long (30 min at least) and has a few steep stairways. On the day we went it was raining/snowing and the path was extremely muddy. My shoes were a mess at the end. When we got up to the park the snow and wind really picked up and it got to freezing! Wear water proof shoes, thermal socks and gloves if you plan to go in the winter months. I wish I had!

It was cool. Very cold and pretty crowded. Also buses only come about once an hour so plan ahead (this was during late December)

You can't see it without climbing the mountain!
Climbing

You need to be careful especially in winter as you walk quite from the nearest parking lot. If you are lucky you can meet wild monkeys who are not taking a bath along the way, but do not feed. People who go by bus, especially from Yudanaka, are careful not to catch the day, and there are few buses available. It is better to return at 15:00 at the latest.

Go to the top of the page The monkeys are soaked in just one pond, but many monkeys come near people without waking people and not harming people.

The soup is so cute, after getting off the bus, you have to walk 40 minutes to 1 hour on the mountain road. It is not easy to walk in the snow, but you have to wear the crampons.

More than great the walk by the mountain to arrive at the site of the monkeys. It is amazing to see the monkeys enjoy their hot springs and their paradise. I went in April, there was snow and the landscape and contrast was beautiful. Obligatory go.

The initial hike was fantastic for a brisk March day. The park is a great place to be right up amongst the monkeys, as they are very comfortable around humans and give you a peek into the actual lifestyle beyond what you might see sitting in an artificial zoo.

A long walk on mountain for 30 minutes before reaching the snow monkey park. Closed at 4:30 p.m.

A must see, exciting Park. Check the bus times or organise a taxi in time!

Worth it too take 30min walk inside to saw monkeys,

If it has rained, be sure to wear waterproof shoes, and be careful that your pants may spray mud. It takes 20 minutes to reach the monkey. It is not recommended if the child is too small. Walk from the parking entrance to the ticket booth for about 20 minutes, there will be a toilet there, and the monkey can be seen immediately

Nice park, definitely a nice nature walk! We saw about 50 snow monkeys! The park is really clean, and there are signs everywhere asking people not to litter, which is great! The monkeys do their own thing and are unbothered by humans. They do not seek food from humans either, so please don't feed them!

Suitable for winter mornings, chances of seeing the hot springs are better

The road may be frozen, so I think it's best to bring something like simple crampons. It may be sold at the entrance shop, but I don't know because it is not in.

It was an experience, nice weather and good to see the monkeys in their natural habitat. The 2km track to the hot spring is like brown slushie. Slippery and dirty, better wear proper shoes.

On a list of things we enjoyed about Japan, this visit ranked just below our top rated experience of Japanese bathrooms ! Fantastic experience, especially in the snow. Monkeys were relaxed and comfortable around the visitors, who were themselves very respectful of the monkeys.

This waa incredible. The walk up the mountain was well worth seeing all of the adlrable monkeys

Love this place. Not a major monkey fan but the wild open Onsen and monkey interaction is just all quite surreal.

I went during the snowfall due to the cold wave.
I could see grooming monkeys and monkey dumplings during the bath because of the cold.
1,6 km from the parking lot. Boots are recommended because they get dirty.

Really nice walk/hike up to the monkeys, can get quite busy. Recommend getting there early.

It is fascinating to see the Snow monkeys at the Jigokudani Park, Nagano, soaking in the hot spring, esp, when it was snowing. It was -5%. The 2km walk through the snow was worth it at 80 . You should try it. and you will love it!.

About 45 min bus ride from Nagano station but was well worth it to see the monkeys. Very easy to get there, just follow the crowds at the station and on arrival. Hardest part was the hike to reach the park but nothing too strenuous.

Really nice hike, when the weather is good. We came just as the snow and ice was melting. It was quite muddy to say the least. It's hit or miss with the monkeys especially if you were hoping to catch them bathing in the hot springs. And please follow the directions on the signs, less you get mugged by monkeys looking for food.

At the base of the park are lots of small restaurants if you need to refuel or get a drink.

The park is a long trek up hill about 1.6km trail so her prepared to climb and wear comfortable shoes. Winter time the real can be slippery so good shoes is a must! There are some steps but mostly natural trail that's about 1.5m wide.

The monkeys are so cute and adorable it's definitely worth the hike.

For self drive visitors, please note and check certain road closures in winter.

Have a chance to see the wild ducks out of the bath!

Tons of monkeys up close and personal! We can in early April. No snow, but beautiful out and monkeys everywhere.

Its hard to see monkeys in hot days, but good nature. Worth to take a walk. Be aware of the bus hours.

Very nice activity! The short hike before going to the park is superb in the large conifers (about 1km) then returned to the place it's great with the monkeys! Very busy when I went but that does not prevent the monkeys from bathing and going about their business, they are clearly used to the human presence! And there are a lot of monkeys! You will see for sure!

You can enjoy it quickly and be healed!
The road to the parking lot has many parts that don't pass each other, so it gets a little nervous.

Worth to visit, we took bus from Nagano train/bus station (1,400yen/person) abt one hour drive to Snow monkey park. Walk about 1,6km slippery smallmountain road, suggest rent a boot for 800yen, admission fee 800yen/person. Those staying at Shibu Onsen, better pre arrange transport with the hotel or Ryokan, as no taxi available, there is bus to nearby Yudanaka train station but limited seat outnumber by visitors. Stranded at nearby Enza cafe, call our Masuya Ryokan and they send car to pick us.

Visited Jigokudani Monkey park several times in different seasons.
Best visited winter time, when the park is covered with snow, and better still when snowing and watching the monkeys relaxing in the onsen.

Was a really good experience. Would love to see it in the winter with snow.

Beautiful experience. I stayed another night in Nagano for it and it was totally worth it. Very chilled out, peaceful monkeys, unlike macaques from elsewhere in the world. Easy to get close to and take pictures of. Spoilt slightly by the More

It will be healed for sure. Monkey who is taking a flea is cute (* ) It is not unique to Nagano Prefecture

Monkey bathing in the water. Interesting to see. They are used to human taking photos. A bit smelly because they poo anywhere.

Beautiful experience. I visited the park in winter, and probably its the most beautiful season, as the park is covered in snow.

There is a nice and easy 20 - 30 min. walk in the forest, until you reach the park. The park is actually not an enclosure. The Monkeys are living free in the mountains, and go down for food, and sometimes having a bath in the hot springs.

The monkeys are used to people, and they just walk freely around you. Pretty safe if you just leave them alone and don't bring food.

Brilliant well worth a visit. Nice easy walk in before you reach the main entrance

You can hike for a while and meet the monkeys. A global spot with more foreigners than Japanese. Monkeys are used to people, so don't worry. But don't touch it.

Snow monkey park is a great place to visit. It's a 30 min in to nature and definitely worth the effort. Visitors centre is good with lots of helpful information. But of course its the monkeys what it is all about: fabulous!

This is a great place to visit. Monkeys are everywhere.

My companion took the vinyl out of the bag (laughs)

What is there not to like, fantastic place to see the monkeys that will happily ignore you :)

AMAZING. You are able to get really close to the monkeys even when there are baby monkeys. All of them are adorable, worth visiting

The scenery along the way is very beautiful, and the Snow Monkey Hot Spring is a special sight that must be seen.

I revisited after 50 years. To come so close. When I passed the monkey, I felt the feel of the bee monkey.

A long trip by buses to get there. Plese note the monkeys eat at about 5pm and then disappear into the mountain so be sure to get there early.
Beware that buses service stop at early afternoon and their frequency is low to begin with.

The snow monkeys roam free in their own environment. No cages! They are pretty cute and the walk there (although a bit slippery with snow and ice) was through a mountain path in a beautiful native forest. Allow half a day.

Since I went after the snowfall, I walked on a mountain road where my feet were muddy more than I expected for a while.
I stopped by on my way home from my stay in a hurry, so my shoes were covered with mud without any equipment such as boots. We recommend that you bring boots and highly waterproof shoes.

When I arrived at the hot spring, many monkeys were taking a bath, and it was a lot of fun to watch.
When I went there, there were only calm monkeys and it was a laid-back atmosphere.
There are many tourists.

It was in Feb 2019
The monkey in hot spring just way too cute!
I hear sometimes there were no monkey in hot spring. I'm very lucky that not a lot people visit the park that day and lots of monkey were enjoying their hot spring.
Very unique spot to visit if you got extra time in Tokyo and wants to see something different. Monkey park should be a good option!

The classic snow monkey onson... the only place they get in the heated water as per the TV documentaries. There are two approach roads if driving. Very narrow one on the north side, don't know about south. Parking 500 yen plus entry fee 800 yen per person, group discount. Tourist shop and musuem plus WC on exiting the facility.

We arrived during feeding, plenty of activity. None were bathing. Generally well behaved monkeys, you can get some difficult customers in Japan. You can expect a few rushing past you. Big troop supported by feeding.

Winter is very slippery. Suggest for a snow shoe or a non-slip strap. Walk to the forest I do not have a steep walk.

Spring is to enjoy the bath in the forest, stroll through the woods... quiet

It is much more fun than I expected.
Monkeys are quite healed.

Because the road is a light mountain climb, please have boots and dirty shoes!

It's worth it. I came to the entrance before 08.30 am.

It was very cool, but the monkeys were not there for once

It s a good 15-20 mins walk from the park entrance to the monkey viewing location. While the path is in good condition, the snow makes it wet and slippery, thus a good pair of walking shoes is highly recommended. Try to go early as it can get very crowded at noon and the monkeys will move back to the upper reach of the park.

The walk through the the forest is quite beautiful in the snow. We were lucky and it snowed the night before. Once at the hot springs and ponds it was not quite as I expected it. However the monkeys put on a show and behave as if there were no human visitors at all. If you are patient you can get some nice views and pics. It pays to have binoculars and or a good Tele lens. Btw if you pay attention you might see some monkey roaming around other places close by.

It was a lot of fun to see a lot of monkeys! Let's bring a nice camera.
Insanely cute

Too crowded - seems like I could barely see the monkeys past obnoxious tourists vying for perfect photo ops. Park should set a limit on visitors at one time.

It was pretty cool walking around and seeing the monkeys play and hang in a small heated bath. They were all very cute and active, but don't look them in the eye. We saw one guy get mounted by a small monkey and the staff had to step in. It's a bit of a muddy walk to the area with no where to wash off so be prepared!

The monkeys were friendly and amassed. The very slippery trail (about 2 km long) leading to the park was very beautiful and mostly untouched. Unfortunately, once you got to the monkey area there were a ton of exposed pipes and wire. The staff was very friendly and quiet helpful during a mini emergency my family experienced during the visit. The area around the park has plenty to do to and with a relatively cheap admission I'd definitely recommend anyone make this stop if they can.

Highlights of my trip! The monkeys are really cute and playful.

The location s about a 30 minute hike away from the parking lot, through slippery slush and mud, but you can rent boots right at the entrance to the path and the scenery is beautiful! Then, of course, the monkeys are pretty cute too.

Although the traffic is not convenient, it takes an hour to walk the electric railway to the bus. The snow road is scared.
But you can see the wild monkeys in the mountains and the sun bathing in the sun. The expression of satisfaction is very healing.

A beautiful place, especially during the winter, to see the snow monkeys up close.

Hard to rate, the monkeys didn t show up that day. Be aware that this can happen. Staff was still very friendly, everyone of them made us aware that monkeys didn t arrive, before we paid! Our kids got a little present as they couldn t see the monkeys.