Where to See Snow Monkeys in Japan: 2 Major Places and Tips

Japan is the only country in the world where you could see snow monkeys relaxing in an onsen (hot spring) during winter. Two major places to witness this unique sight in Japan are Jigokudani Yaen-koen in Nagano and Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hokkaido.

In this article, we'll provide you with everything you need to know to see snow monkeys in Japan, including how to visit them, the best time to go, and how to get to the snow monkey parks.

Jigokudani Yaen-Koen: Top Choice to See Snow Monkeys

Jigokudani Yaen-koen in Nagano is the best place to see snow monkeys soaking in onsens in Japan. Located in the mountains, this park allows you to observe the monkeys in their natural habitat.

There is only one hot spring pool where snow monkeys soak on the mountain. You could watch the monkeys make funny faces and poses in the warm water, and observing them for an hour wouldn't be boring. However, the pool isn't large, and many visitors gather around to take photos.

The park is open from 9am to 4pm. To escape the crowds, we suggest arriving in the morning. If you want to see lots of monkeys eating, visit at about 1:30pm when the staff members feed them.

It's better to arrive at the foot of the mountain by 2:30pm at the latest. It takes about 30–40 minutes to walk to the spot where the monkeys are enjoying the onsen. If you arrive later, you might miss seeing them.

You're recommended to wear non-slip waterproof shoes or crampons. The path to the onsen gets really slippery when it snows, and these would help prevent falls. However, the journey offers charming scenery with giant sequoia trees along the way. You might even see monkeys coming down from the mountain as you walk.

Furthermore, avoid wearing white or light-colored clothes due to the muddy road, as light clothing is easy to get dirty.

How to Get There

Nagano is located near Tokyo, just a 1½-hour Shinkansen (bullet train) ride away. Once you get off the Shinkansen, a 45-minute bus ride would take you to Jigokudani Yaen-koen.

If you want a more time-saving and convenient way to explore Jigokudani Monkey Park and other attractions in Nagano, taking a private car would be a better option. Book with us and we'll handle your transportation, customize your itinerary, and arrange hotels for your Japan trip.

Staying Overnight in Nagano

For a more relaxing trip, we suggest staying overnight in Nagano. While a day trip from Tokyo to Jigokudani Monkey Park is doable, you would spend about 6 hours traveling during this round-trip. This means you could visit only one to two attractions in a day, which might make you feel tired and the experience would be less enjoyable.

Moreover, Nagano is a historic city offering many other highlights worth exploring. You could hike along the ancient Nakasendo Trail that once connected Tokyo and Kyoto, visit the Togakushi Shrine surrounded by towering cedar trees, and spend a night at a traditional Japanese ryokan to experience an authentic onsen.

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden: Snow Monkeys at the Zoo

Another place to see snow monkeys enjoying hot springs in Japan is Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hokkaido. Unlike Jigokudani Yaen-koen, the snow monkeys there are kept in captivity within the zoo, there are fewer monkeys, and you couldn't observe them up close.

A visit lasting 30 minutes would be enough. There is just one hot spring pool made of cement for snow monkeys to soak in, and you would observe them from a distance behind a railing. Apart from this highlight, there isn't anything interesting in this small botanical garden.

If your Hokkaido tour includes Hakodate and you haven't seen snow monkeys bathing in an onsen before, then you could visit this place. However, don't pack your Hakodate schedule too tightly, as the botanical garden is located far from other main attractions.

How to Get There

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is situated in the city, making it easier to access than Jigokudani Yaen-koen. It typically takes 30–40 minutes by tram from other main attractions to reach this spot. If you choose to have a private car, the travel time would be halved.

When to See Snow Monkeys in Japan?

The best time to see snow monkeys soaking in hot springs is in the winter months from December to February, as these monkeys only bathe in cold weather. Plus, the parks are covered in snow, adding to their charm.

However, even during December to February, if the day happens to be relatively warm, the monkeys usually wouldn't soak in the hot springs. Such days are rare, though.

During the cooler months of November and March, a few monkeys might soak in the onsens but most would be playing outside. At other times, you could still see monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park and Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, but none would be bathing in the hot springs.

Let's Plan Your Japan Trip to See Snow Monkeys

Our Japan travel advisors are here to assist you in customizing your trip to Japan, including visiting snow monkeys and other highlights that interest you. Just contact us to share your preferences and we'll take care of everything to ensure you have a stress-free journey.

Here are our two tours of Japan that include watching snow monkeys. You could choose one as your tour, or we could modify some attractions based on your requirements.

• 8-Day Tokyo Highlights and Nagano Skiing Tour: Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Nagano
• 12-Day Japan Magical Winter Tour: Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Nagano – Takayama – Kanazawa – Kyoto – Osaka