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Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in January 2020
  • Photoblog: Jigokudani Monkey Park in January 2020

    Happy New Year from Snow Monkey Resorts! It’s been a strange and frustrating start to the year here in Nagano and at the Snow Monkey Park. Temperatures remain unusually high for January with relatively little snow in the park or on the surrounding mountains. The warm conditions have the monkeys a little confused too. Recent visitors to the park have been lucky to see them in the ‘onsen’ (hot spring), as the monkeys seem content with the warmer weather and are behaving as though it is still autumn.

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    An obvious indication of this is that they continue to mate, well into winter. The monkeys typically mate through October and November but this year’s warm conditions mean that their autumn behaviour continues well into January. It’s all very unusual.

    The monkeys remain active and have been coming to the park in good numbers to entertain visitors. Although it is warmer than usual –  as these photos suggest – it is far with warm and there have been regular downfalls of snow, prompting the monkeys to jump in the hot spring (when the mood takes them).

    Always extremely popular in winter, the park is now busy with guests from all over the world making the journey to see the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs – a truly remarkable sight.

    Sooner or later, the real snow will come. While it’s been a frustrating start to the winter season, one positive is that we are excited to see what is to come! Last year was a similarly slow start to winter followed by a spectacular February and March – both marked by heavy snowfall and amazing days here in Nagano! Here’s hoping for more of the same this year!

    As Nagano’s No.1 tour operator, we continue to provide daily tours to the park and many other local attractions and activities. Our most popular tour – 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – includes a morning visit to Nagano’s near-1400 year old Zenko-ji Temple followed by sake tasting and lunch and an early afternoon visit to the monkeys.

    Operating every Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday until March 20th, our 1-Day Snow Monkey & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen tour takes guests to Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, for a morning of snow fun activities, before heading for lunch and visit to the monkeys. Always popular, this tour is great for families, couples, friends, big kids and small!

    Finally, our new 1-Day Snow Monkeys & Snowmobiling in Shiga Kogen is proving a big hit! Including a morning of riding your own snowmobile, lunch and early afternoon visit to the park, this tour is a great way to experience Nagano in winter!

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    We hope to see you soon at the Snow Monkey Park!