Overview
A hot spring you don’t soak in
Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-koen) is famous for wild Japanese macaques that come down to warm up in a natural hot spring pool. The visitor experience is observation: you hike in on a forest trail, then watch monkeys soak, groom, and squabble at close range. The park is designed to keep the environment as natural as possible, so you’ll notice there are no fences separating you from the animals.
What the setting feels like
The valley is steep, wooded, and feels properly wintry in cold months, with steam and snow doing most of the dramatic work. In warmer seasons, it’s still a satisfying nature walk with a good chance of seeing monkeys, but the classic “snow monkey” mood is a winter thing.
How to think about the day
If your goal is “I want to bathe,” pair this with a separate onsen visit in the Yudanaka or Shibu area, and treat the park as wildlife time. The trail is not long, but it can be icy, muddy, and uneven. A little preparation makes the visit calmer, and it helps you focus on the monkeys instead of your footing.
Location & Access
Where it is
Jigokudani Monkey Park is in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, in a wooded valley within the wider Joshinetsu Kogen area.
By car
A common approach is to park around Kanbayashi Onsen, then walk the Yumichi Natural Trail to the park area. The trail is about 2 km and is typically described as around a 30-minute walk. There is also a Jigokudani parking area closer in, and it’s described as about a 15-minute walk from that parking to the park entrance.
By train and bus
From Yudanaka Station, visitors commonly continue by bus toward the Snow Monkey Park area, then walk the final stretch on foot. The official access guidance describes this as a bus ride followed by a roughly 35-minute walk.
Road notes and seasonality
The park notes an alternative route via Shibu Onsen that uses a narrow logging road and is closed in winter, and large vehicles cannot use it. In winter, expect packed snow and ice on the trail, and bring footwear with real grip. In warmer months, the same path can be muddy after rain.
Before you go
This approach is not wheelchair-friendly due to unpaved surfaces, steps, and uneven ground. Check the official access page for current parking guidance and any seasonal notes before you set out.
Suitability & Accessibility
This is best for travelers who want a memorable wildlife moment tied to geothermal scenery. It’s not an onsen you soak in, it’s a place to watch monkeys use a natural hot spring pool, so your comfort depends more on weather, traction, and patience than on “spa amenities.”
Families
Generally family friendly if kids can handle a forest walk and cold conditions. The path can be slippery in winter and muddy in shoulder seasons, so plan a slower pace and keep small kids close when monkeys are nearby. Snacks are fine before or after, but follow park guidance about food around animals.
Photography-minded visitors
Great for photos, but the best shots come from waiting quietly rather than crowding. A small zoom helps you keep distance while still filling the frame.
Mobility realities
The limiting factor is the trail: uneven footing, steps, and winter ice. If you’re comfortable with a short hike but want to minimize effort, use the closest parking option available and treat the walk as the main physical piece of the day.
Wheelchair expectations
The park explicitly notes that wheelchairs and carts are not accessible on either approach due to unpaved roads, uneven surfaces, and steps. If step-free access is essential, this is not a good match.
Safety & Etiquette
Remember it’s wildlife, not a petting zoo
The park is built for observing monkeys in a setting kept as natural as possible, with no fences separating you from them. The core rules are simple: don’t feed the monkeys, don’t touch them, and don’t yell at them. If you crowd a baby monkey, adults can react fast, so give them space even if they wander close.
Eye contact and distance matter
The park also asks visitors not to stare directly into monkeys’ eyes, and to keep a comfortable distance. If a curious monkey approaches, step back and let it pass. Calm body language keeps everyone relaxed.
Photo etiquette
Photos and videos are allowed. The park notes that flash photography is allowed, but you should avoid placing cameras or phones too close to the monkeys. Selfie sticks, drones, and putting a camera inside the bath are prohibited. If you’re photographing, do it from a stable spot so you’re not backing into other visitors on a slick path.
Trail safety is the real day-to-day risk
Dress for weather and choose footwear with grip. The park recommends sneakers or hiking shoes in warmer seasons and rubber or snow boots in winter, and suggests simple crampons for safer winter walking. Move steadily, keep hands free for balance, and assume the walk back out will be colder than the walk in.
FAQs
Do visitors bathe in the hot spring at Jigokudani?
No. The hot spring pool is for the monkeys. Visitors come to observe wildlife and take photos from the viewing area.
How long is the walk to the park?
It depends on where you start. The official access guidance describes the Yumichi Natural Trail from Kanbayashi Onsen as about 2 km, roughly a 30-minute walk. From the closer Jigokudani parking area, it’s described as about a 15-minute walk.
Can I visit without a car?
Yes. The official access page describes reaching the area by train to Yudanaka Station, then continuing by bus and walking the final stretch (commonly described as a bus ride plus about a 35-minute walk).
Is it wheelchair accessible?
No. The park notes that wheelchairs and carts are not accessible on either approach due to unpaved roads, uneven surfaces, and steps.
What are the most important rules?
Don’t feed the monkeys, don’t touch or yell at them, and don’t get too close. Follow the park’s guidance on photography tools (no selfie sticks or drones) and let monkeys move through the space without blocking them.