Back to the first photo blog in 2023 for February! It has been an eventful and beautiful month at the monkey park full of snow and winter freshness. The first winter back after Japan reopened its borders meant many travellers took the chance to visit the playful snow monkeys.
The forest trail has often been icy and slippery but the peaceful walk along the forest surrounded by trees, mountainous air, and natural beauty makes up for it.
While the monkeys sleep up in the trees at night, most of the troop come down each day choosing to base themselves in or around the onsen (hot spring). The adorable baby monkeys are often seen huddling together with their mothers trying to maintain warmth in more sheltered areas.
You never know what to expect each day with the monkeys absorbed in their world often play fighting or sometimes, serious fighting with some getting injured among some monkey drama.
A lot of the snow will now start to melt as the days become warmer, and it’s less likely monkeys will go in the hot spring. The monkeys become more playful as the spring weather reaches us.
It truly is a special experience to witness the monkeys in their world bathing in the onsen surrounded by snow and nature.
Our longest-running and most popular tour, 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano is available every day of year and combines an afternoon visit to the park with morning exploration of Nagano’s near-1400 year old Zenko-ji along with ‘sake’ tasting and lunch in Nagano City.
