Jigokudani Monkey Park  (Jigokudani Yaen Koen)

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen, 地獄谷野猿公苑) was created as a refuge for a local troop of monkeys who now frequent the park on a daily basis. With approximately 150 to 160 monkeys – Japanese macaques to be exact – in the troop, you are likely to encounter many on any given day and with no barriers separating the monkeys from visitors, a visit to the park is a rare chance to walk through and between wild animals going about their lives. The monkeys have achieved global fame for their unique behaviour of soaking in 'onsen' (hot springs) and ability to thrive in the deep snow of winter. But don’t let that fool you, the monkeys come to the park throughout the year and are just as entertaining in spring, summer and autumn.

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