{"id":1831,"date":"2021-06-25T06:33:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-25T06:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.hakuba.com\/?post_type=blogs&p=1831"},"modified":"2026-08-05T08:43:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T08:43:53","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-japanese-snow-monkeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hakuba.com\/zh\/blogs\/the-ultimate-guide-to-japanese-snow-monkeys\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Snow Monkeys"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the Hakuba Valley is among the best places to ski in all of Asia. With an annual snow fall of 11 meters and a nearly endless number of runs, Hakuba is quickly becoming a global ski destination. In fact, we expect\u00a0200,000 foreign stays in Hakuba this year. But these visitors are not coming solely for the epic runs; they\u2019re also visiting to see the only monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs.<\/p>\n

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Departure and Pickup<\/h2>\n

The tour departs from five pickup points around Hakuba: Tsugaike (weekdays only), Wadano, Happo, Echoland, and Goryu. Staff wearing black jackets check guests in at the main stops, while Tsugaike and Goryu travelers are guided by flagpoles and the bus driver directly. From the last pickup point, it’s roughly a 90-minute drive to the monkey park.<\/p>\n

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Jigokudani Koen \u201cHell Valley Park\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Named for the volcanic activity that powers the hot springs in the area, wintertime in the park is a heavenly site. Set in a beautiful valley forest with breathtaking mountain views, Jigokudani Koen especially shines in the snowy season.<\/p>\n

While visitors here will have access to some of Japan\u2019s most beautiful forest views, the main attraction is of course the hot spring monkeys. The monkeys stormed onto the world stage in 1970 after the park was profiled on the cover of Life magazine. Since then, their popularity has continued to grow around the world.<\/p>\n

Visitors must walk 25-40 minute through a beautiful snow-covered forest trail before reaching the hot spring area. The trail is well marked and you\u2019ll see plenty of other travelers so you won\u2019t get lost. \u00a0Dress warmly, wear appropriate footwear, and enjoy the nature walk.<\/p>\n

The Monkeys<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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After finishing up your walk, there will be an office selling tickets for \u00a5800 and from there you are ready to meet the monkeys! The monkeys congregate primarily in and around the hot spring but there will be opportunities to take pictures of them in various locations throughout the viewing area.<\/p>\n

Insider Tip<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n

The monkeys have grown accustomed to being around people but are still wild animals; it\u2019s best not to get too close and you should never try to touch them.<\/p>\n

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The Hot\u00a0<\/strong>Springs<\/b><\/h2>\n\n