Yamanouchi Review

Its not a zoo. So I loved it the monkeys come really close to you. But they dont really harm you or anything minding their own business

What can I say! Monkeys, snow a photographic dream.

Monkey enters the hot spring is the only one in the world here! !
When you go in winter, please take care of cold weather and shoes.

Even in Snootle, I saw a person falling down. There are many foreigners anyway.

So nice to wander among monkeys, to get to watch them take care of eachother.

Daruma-san fell, but he can do it lol It's a spot where you can heal without jokes w

Smaller than expected, lots of monkeys, pretty good soba

Monkey park is definitely worth a visit. Even if you have a lot of tourists there, it is still nice to experience the monkeys so close.

On a warm day, monkeys are not immersed in the hot spring (^ _ ^;)

It seems that monkeys taking a bath can't be seen unless it's cold

Great nature experience... be prepared to walk about 1.7 Km some uphill and stairs in snow/ice so wear appropriate footwear. Go early to beat day trippers and tours (before 10am if you can)

So many monkeys! I did not expect to see such large number and they get very close - really a fun experience! The babies were especially cute and playful. They don't actually soak in the hot springs very much unless you manage to visit in very cold weather, but really a worthwhile experience with lots of unique photo opportunities.

Make sure you are well prepared for shoes because the pathway is slippery and narrow.
I do not have to be naughty, but I have to live. Because the episode. Monkey did not soak onsen show

I think this is a place where you can experience that a monkey is right next to you. It's a wild monkey, but not always... I go through a mountain road before I go here, but if the road is narrow and I pass by, I may have to back up in some cases and I am not confident in driving, I think that it is better for beginners to stop driving by car I will. Some people walked, but I think walking with children is hard. Even adults, who do not have confidence in their physical strength, should stop. If you want to see monkeys close to you, want to show them to your children, or have confidence in driving a car, you can go there once. I have confirmed that the toilets are located in the parking lot and the place where the entrance fee is paid (small souvenir, little souvenir, vending machine, water, free). I think there is also a rest area. You can change diapers at the toilet where you pay the entrance fee. The toilet in the parking lot is unisex and is small.

The park is absolutely beautiful. We visited in the winter and there was a blanket of snow on everything and it made it so magical. There were a lot of monkeys when we went and plenty in the hot springs. The only downside was other tourists not following the rules and harassing the monkeys.

I rushed to the end of the park
There are many cute monkeys and baby monkeys in the park
I was able to enjoy a relaxing time!
The staff also kindly explained.

Plus the ride in the snow as such as the macaques lounging under a cloud of paparazzi

Was here 3 days ago. The monkeys are fantastic and if you follow the rules and don t bring food they ll leave you alone and do their thing. The walk from the bus stop is pleasant. I didn t rent boots but probably should have, it s not a very slippery walk it s just slushy and muddy. The slippery part was from the bus stop to the start of the actual hike to the park. Cafe Enzo is a little expensive but the food and service were great. The only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is because I have been hiking in Japan and seen the monkeys in the wild for free, albeit without seeing them in an onsen. If you re visiting Japan, definitely come see it but if you live here and are savvy with hiking, you may be able to find something like this in the wild.

Monkeys do not bathe very much in summer. Winter is a season so you should go winter.

The area of the park toll area is very small. If you want to shoot a background full of snow, it is recommended to go to the official website first to see the live video.

During winter if you visit Japan, make sure to come to this spot. The monkeys are so cute and they are not afraid to be close with the visitors. The scenery of the monkey pack in snow, especially when they get into the hot spring is very iconic and definitely worth the visit.

I walk a lot. When your feet are raining or snowing, it becomes muddy.

I went here by car from the Nagano Station and it's very convenient by using private car actually.

You have to prepare for a bit of hiking (30 minutes) from the parking lot to the entrance gate of the monkey park and hot spring. The place is so beautiful and you can see many monkeys free roaming the mountain. Seeing monkeys in hot spring is also unforgettable experience.

Snow on the way back and forth is squeezed by a lot of people and slides very much. Also, due to too many people, the monkey did not enter the hot spring.

The ground is slippery, pay attention to safety, go to the sun early and not hang high, melting ice is less slippery
Monkeys are not necessarily in hot springs, they can only be seen by luck
The ticket is not expensive, it seems to be 600 800 yen

Good place to visit on winter..Monkey bath on hot spring

Beautiful too contact with animals and a unique place is worth knowing

The monkeys were flinging poop at each other. There was one monkey with a nice hairdo , resembling a certain president in his natural habitat. Impressive

the place is nice, just from the bus stop a bit far ,, patiently enjoy the scenery around

If you are traveling by bus, a 1 hour walk to the entrance, with mud puddles all along the walk. Part of the walk are stairs and slopes, not ideal when snowing. Also , you might want to bring an umbrella when snowing heavily, I didn't bring one and it is not fun.

very nice experience, went in February where its still cold and the park is covered with fresh snow..

the monkeys were everywhere.. in the hot spring, some busy searching for food, some just relax and enjoy the warm under the sun.

they are accustomed to human visitors, not bothered at what you do.. as long you don't disturb them. there's also a park ranger looking out for visitors who break the rules.

do wear proper footwear as its quite a walk.
check their website for updates and info before you go.

Super cool. Very friendly monkeys. Nice to see them in their natural environment.

This was one of the best places I ve visited. The best season for you ll to visit this place would be winter, mainly because you want to see the monkeys bathing in the hot springs. You ll see the monkeys during the other season as well, but they would be enjoying the hot spring. They ll be running around as normal monkeys do.

Many wild monkeys are healed. When the people in charge come together, they come together and pass right by humans. There wasn't much in the hot springs, but the kids seem to be happy. Walk a little in the mountains. (About 30-40 minutes)

Good forest attractions, the beauty of the snow is worth a visit

First get off the car and there are two routes of 15 minutes and 25 minutes on foot to the entrance to the wild monkey park.

For the 15-minute course, go round around and go up the narrow road on the other side of the river, and there is a parking lot at the end. However, the parking fee is 500 yen and the road to the monkey park entrance is bad and there are stairs.

The parking fee is free for the 25-minute course. The moment I saw the first stairs, eh! It's about 25 minutes from here, but after about 30 steps, the road is almost flat.
If you are old, we recommend this.

You can watch monkeys relaxing nearby.

I wanted to love this place, and agree that there is a certain charm to it, but unfortunately it's a victim of its own success and is not that enjoyable. My parents visited over a decade ago and joined me on this trip. For the most part, the trip up and down is the same, a longish hike up a mountain trail to the start. The difference is the sheer number of people. We were constantly being rushed or overtaken by others, some swinging selfie sticks around, others playing music on portable speakers. Many feeding the monkeys on the trail despite signs asking people not to. Once we reached the top of the trail we paid the entry fee (800 yen, not crazy) and made our way into the hot spring area. It's been heavily modified to provide pathways and viewing spots, as well as a lot of fencing. The photo areas are taken up by those with massive camera rigs, and many will camp out waiting for the perfect shot, refusing to move for the other people behind them. That said, the monkeys are tame, and will continue with their daily life around you. They will allow you to get in close but will move away should you bother them too much. And they are plentiful. Not too many were in the spring itself but many on the surrounding area, where grain had been spread around for them to pick and eat. At least up at the top are staff that prevent the use of selfie sticks, if only they'd do something about the "professional" photographers. There is a small gift shop at the top, with free water and toilets, but that's about all there is on the trail, all of the food options seem to be at the bottom of the trail. It's accessible by bus from Nagano or Yudanaka station and private car.

The monkey is cute but it is a bit far to walk. If going to be careful, slippery too. If the snow falls during this period the road will be very slippery.

Went when it was snowing really enjoyed the 30 walk to the park was surprised how close you can get to the monkeys. If going in winter dress appropriately there's only an small inside rest area.

Great treck and the monkeys are pretty cool to watch as well. We went on a rainy slippery day and it was still quite enjoyable.
We did a tour that was picked up from Nagano so not sure how else one would get there

A nice place to visit, has its counter, you have to walk a lot to get to see the monkeys in the area; Many stairs and steep part. They are 2.5km one way and the same returned by all jungle of Japan in its northern part. Upon arriving at the place you will see many monkeys with their families loitering around the place.

Convenient transportation, you need to have a chance to pick up the wilderness after November.

There are monkeys everywhere, but it's safe because they won't attack.

Lots of monkeys all over. You just need to watch your step, poop is everywhere. They grounds keeper pickup after the monkeys, but it's hard to keep up with all the monkeys, so just watch your step. But this was a fun experience observing the monkeys

This was a must see for me. Was not disappointed with all the monkey's putting on quite the show and not bothered by all the people. They would quite happily carry on their business like you were not there. There is a bit of walk however.

Amazing experience especially if you visit during the winter months when the monkeys visit to feed. There are over 160 monkeys at the park and I often wished for an even better camera to capture all the special moments. There is a live feed camera so definitely feel free to check it out before hand to ensure the monkeys are visiting that day.

I'd definitely recommend taking a day trip if you are in the area.

A stunning experience and a must if you're experiencing any traditional winter activities in Nagano. You are led through a gorgeous forested path, past hot springs (for humans) and a geyser to the monkey park. The monkeys are not fazed at all by humans so you can watch them socialize, feed and bathe naturally. They often come up to people and can get very close! But they are wild animals, so it's best to respect their space.

Super. You have to see, the monkeys come very close

Definitely worth a visit. It was very crowded but beautiful walk to the monkeis and they are pretty cute as the relax in the onsen waters.

Amazing experience with the hot tubbing monkeys. A must-see.

You can interact closely with the monkeys. When we went, the monkeys were drinking hot spring. It is only this hot spring that you can live in the deep snowy cold mountains.

Interesting view of monkeys in hot springs, got slippery floors so be careful

Wasted a two hour journey there in early October only to be told that they were closed due to monkeys in mating season. This information not apparently available online. Drive up to Jigokudani is not easy (a treacherous hill climb at times) and this information should have been posted online or at the bottom of the hill in the town (in English).

At five o'clock they even send away the monkeys. I recommend arriving at least one hour before closing

The weather is cold, snowing, the trail is quite far and wet, with mud. Recommended to rent shoes below

3rd time visiting the location since 2015. Surely tons of reviews are available, but having seen it change over the years, I must say the admission ticket is unreasonably high (from 450 yen to 800 yen in 4 years) and the amount of tourists is awfully increased, from what used to be a quiet and minor location.
I honestly hope they ll put up a reservation system and limit the number of accesses per day.

Must visit park of the Japanese Alps. Here monkeys love life ... they are free in the park and enjoy an idyllic setting allowing them to enjoy hot baths in nature!
We were lucky to have good weather ... and so unfortunately no snow despite our arrival! We can not have everything :-)
Full of monkeys, pools of hot water well-appointed, what to walk a good time ... well maintained site!
Access to the site requires walking a certain time and some steps will also climb ;-)

Once in a lifetime experience. Definitely go in the winter.

The only place in the world where the Japanese Macaque monkey hangs out in hot springs. OK if you snap pics with a smartphone but my professional photographer friends got some awesome shots. In the 2 hours we were there, we saw families, fights, playing, and bathing. You learn a little but it's mostly observing these little guys. A long way to go from Tokyo; we did shinkansen to express bus and in one day it was 4 hours of traveling. Be sure to stop at the family owned restaraunt and open air onsen near the entrance. That was almost the best part of the visit and makes for a good rest before heading back down. It was NO KIDDING slippery despite the warm weather; ice was still on the path in late February.

The monkeys interact with humans, they are not aggressive and it is very curious to see them in the water.
The walk through the forest is very nice and quiet.
A 100% recommended visit.

After the narrow mountain road of the car gorge, after the car parked in the car park, it is still necessary to walk for ten minutes into the valley to reach the bathing spring of the monkey group. It is very cute to watch the life of the wild monkey group at a close distance.

This is where you will find the beautiful snow monkeys of Japan. Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture.

Must-see attractions, wild picnics, can be closely observed and photographed in the wild simmering hot springs, there are toilets and rest facilities, one-way road about 40 minutes, in the windy snow when the mountain road is difficult, the common snow falls.

Nice place to be in real contact with monkeys in Kyoto

So many monkeys, some started wrestling in front of us it was cute.

Really-really-really small place unlike what we've expected and doesn't feel that wild at all. But a good forest walk to reach it and that fact that we have caught monkeys swimming for a good hour despite this being a warm summer day it was totally worth it. I bet it's even better in winter.

The best experience 800 yen can buy. Dozens of wonderful monkeys, with no barriers between you and them.

I visited in the warm season, so I could not see how I was in the hot spring.
If you have been to a park feeding a monkey or if you live in a back mountain at home, there may not be something new.

I first visited but it is the best. I think that the admission fee is high, but such a thing will also blow away if I can see the monkey. But is it a point that the difficulty is overflowing with exoticism?

A unique sight ever since David Attenborough shared a hot bath with them

One of the many monkey parks. Seeing the behavior of cute monkeys is really adorable. Be careful with luggage and don't feed monkeys carelessly. The location is quite extensive, there are clean toilets and also a souvenir shop that sells accessories

Amazing and almost certainly a one of a kind experience. There were dozens of monkeys at least when I went in the middle of the afternoon. They will walk right past you sit inches away and bath in the hot springs as if you are not there. There were baby snow monkeys wrestling. A fantastic place for pictures and one of the most beautiful mountain settings in Japan. There are free lockers to keep your bags and other items. Remember to not bring food into the park I kept a water in the lockers and just went in and out when I needed a drink. The pass is valid all day.

We were there early, before the tourist bus. We were basicly by ourself with the monkey.

We did rented a car from Nagano city to go there

It is necessary to take precautions in the spout for the cold