Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

地獄谷野猿公苑

Jigokudani Yaen-koen is a park in the mountains of northern Nagano where wild Japanese macaques come to a hot spring. It opened in 1964 so people could study the monkeys' social life. The monkeys are wild and are not kept in cages. Visitors walk through a cedar forest to reach the park and watch the monkeys, especially famous in the snowy season.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: April to October: 8:30–17:00. November to March: 9:00–16:00. Seasons are approximate.
Closed: Open all year, but the park may shorten hours or close without notice because of weather or the monkeys' behavior.
Admission: Adults 800 yen, children 400 yen.
Getting there: From the Snow Monkey Park bus stop it is about a 35-minute walk to the park.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

The path is not paved, so wheelchairs and strollers cannot be used.
The monkeys are wild and do not come to the park every day.

Tips for Muslim visitors

The park is about a 30-minute walk along an unpaved path from the parking lot or bus stop, so plan prayer times around the round trip.
Hiking shoes are recommended in summer and snow boots in winter; buying simple crampons in advance is advised for winter visits.
Watch the monkeys from a distance without upsetting them; selfie sticks are prohibited.
The monkeys use the park's hot spring baths from December to March, the coldest months.
Aquariums and zoos take a few hours to see. Plan a prayer time in your visit and check the map for quiet spaces.
Snack stands may sell sausages and other pork products. Check the ingredients or bring your own snacks where allowed.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Nagano and the verified places to pray nearby.