Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Guide: Access, Tips & Winter Experience in Nagano

You’ve probably seen photos of snow monkeys soaking in hot springs surrounded by snow.
Because of that, many people visiting Nagano in winter dream of seeing this iconic scene in person.

But the truth is, it’s not as easy as it looks.

From the parking area, you still need to walk along a gentle mountain trail for about 40 minutes before reaching the park.
And even then, a bit of luck is involved.

The monkeys usually stay around the area, but they don’t always sit nicely in the hot spring. Sometimes they’re just hanging around nearby or wandering through the forest.

If you happen to catch them actually bathing in the onsen, that’s when you know you’re lucky, you’ll get to see (and photograph) that classic “snow monkeys in a hot spring” moment.

How to Get to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Option 1: Express Bus (Easiest & Direct)

• Step 1: Take the JR train to Nagano Station
• Step 2: From Nagano Station, take an express bus to the Snow Monkey Park

From the East Exit of Nagano Station, go to bus stops No. 23 or 24 and board a Nagaden Bus heading toward Shiga Kogen.
Get off at “Snow Monkey Park” (スノーモンキーパーク).
The ride takes about 1 hour.

Bus frequency: Around 1–2 buses per hour. (Bus timetable)

After getting off, you’ll still need to walk:

• About 10–15 minutes to the park entrance
• Then another 30 minutes along the Yumichi Nature Trail to reach the monkey park

Option 2: Nagano Dentetsu Train + Bus / Taxi

• Step 1: Take the JR train to Nagano Station
• Step 2: Transfer to the Nagano Dentetsu Line to Yudanaka Station
• Step 3: Take a bus or taxi

By Bus

From Yudanaka Station, take a Nagaden Bus heading toward Kanbayashi Onsen.
Get off at “Snow Monkey Park”. The ride takes about 10 minutes.

Bus frequency: About once every 1–2 hours (Bus timetable)
(Note: buses are less frequent, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.)

After getting off, you’ll still need to:

• Walk 10-15 minutes to the entrance
• Then hike 30-40 minutes along the trail

By Taxi

If you don’t want to wait for the bus, taking a taxi from Yudanaka Station is a good option.
The advantage is that the drop-off point is closer to the entrance, so you only need to walk about 15-20 minutes to reach the park.

Option 3: Join a Day Tour (Most Convenient)

If transferring between trains and buses feels like too much hassle, joining a day tour is the easiest option.

Since attractions in the Nagano area are relatively spread out and public transportation isn’t always the most convenient, many travelers choose guided tours.

A typical itinerary often includes Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, combined with places like Togakushi Shrine, Zenkoji Temple, or Kamakura snow huts in Iiyama, making for a full and efficient day.

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Walking Route to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi, Nagano, deep in the Yokoyu River valley, which originates from Shiga Kogen.
At an elevation of about 850 meters, the area is covered in snow for nearly one-third of the year.

From the Parking Area to the Entrance

On the day I visited, I arrived at the parking lot around 9:40 AM.
Since I stopped along the way to take photos, I didn’t reach the ticket gate until 10:25 AM, so it took me about 45 minutes in total.

Along the way from the parking area to the entrance, you’ll find a few small shops selling souvenirs and snacks.

From the entrance, you’ll need to walk along a 1.6 km trail to reach the park.
There are a few gentle slopes, but overall the path is quite easy to walk.
The sign says it takes about 25 minutes one way, but if you walk at a relaxed pace and stop for photos, it usually takes around 30-40 minutes.

At the entrance, there’s also a live camera feed showing the monkeys at the hot spring, so you can check whether they’re actually bathing before heading in.

Yumichi Nature Trail

A lot of people hesitate when they hear they have to walk 30-40 minutes to see the monkeys.
But honestly, it’s not that bad at all.
The trail is mostly flat and easy, more like a peaceful nature walk than a hike.

On both sides, you’ll see tall, straight trees, and on one side, a river flows quietly through the valley.
The air feels crisp and cold, with that refreshing winter mountain atmosphere.

One thing to note: in winter, the path can get icy.
It’s highly recommended to wear shoes with good grip, as regular sneakers or leather shoes can be quite slippery.

Jigokudani Steam Vents

About halfway along the trail, you’ll notice steam rising from the ground, this is actually where the name “Jigokudani” (Hell Valley) comes from.

It’s a pretty fascinating sight.
Warm steam rises from the earth, while the surrounding area is covered in snow and ice.

Hot spring water bubbles up from underground, and the mist drifts gently through the forest.

Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan

Before reaching the monkey park, you’ll spot a few traditional wooden buildings across the river.
This is Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan, a historic inn that has been operating for over 100 years.

It’s not only the only accommodation in the Jigokudani area, but also the birthplace of the snow monkeys’ hot spring culture.

According to the story, back in 1963, wild monkeys saw humans bathing in the hot spring at Korakukan. Curious, they decided to try it themselves, and ended up loving it.
Eventually, they even started entering the ryokan and soaking in the baths alongside guests.
It sounds a bit surreal, but also kind of adorable.

However, due to hygiene concerns and inconvenience for guests, a separate area was created the following year (1964).
That’s how Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park was established, giving the monkeys their own designated hot spring.

And that’s how the famous image of snow monkeys bathing in hot springs came to be.

Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan remains the only place to stay in this area, and it’s said to be very difficult to book during winter.

If you’re lucky enough to visit during heavy snowfall, you might even get the rare experience of soaking in a hot spring alongside monkeys.

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Ticket Gate

After climbing a short set of stairs and walking a bit further, you’ll finally reach the ticket gate.

This is where visitors line up to buy tickets.
There are also restrooms and a small shop nearby.

Admission fee: Adults: 800 yen / Students: 400 yen

Snow Monkey Onsen Experience

There are quite a lot of monkeys inside the park, and their fur looks thick and fluffy, clearly adapted to living in cold environments.

They wander around freely, and many of them spend their time picking up food scattered on the ground.

You’ll also see park staff throwing feed to keep the monkeys within an area where visitors can observe them.

The monkey hot spring pool is where the biggest crowd gathers.
Surrounding the onsen is a circle of tourists, all holding up cameras and phones, pointing toward the water, almost like everyone is waiting for a celebrity to appear.

But here’s the thing: the monkeys are not always in the water.

Soaking in the hot spring is just one way they stay warm during winter.
They don’t do it all day, and they don’t necessarily do it every day either.

When it’s colder, more monkeys tend to go into the water.
But if the temperature rises even a little, they often just stay nearby instead.

On the day I visited, the temperature was around 1–7°C (34–45°F).
It felt pretty cold to me, but apparently, the monkeys didn’t think so.

Most of them were just hanging around the pool, climbing, walking, and doing their own thing… but not actually getting in.
So everyone just waited.

After a while, one monkey slowly approached the edge of the pool, tested the water… and then finally stepped in.
The whole crowd instantly reacted.

Cameras started clicking non-stop, some people quietly cheered, it was kind of funny when I think back on it.

Later, the staff came over and scattered food near the hot spring.

That’s when more monkeys gathered around, eating near the pool and even pushing each other to compete for food.

While watching them, you can actually see their social hierarchy in action.

Some monkeys tried to get closer to the hot spring, only to be chased away by others, clearly showing their sense of territory and ranking within the group.

How Long Should You Spend at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park?

Here’s a rough time breakdown based on my experience:

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Info

• Address：6845, Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano
• Opening Hours：
  • Summer (Apr – Oct): 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Winter (Nov – Mar): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Admission：
  • Adults: 800 yen
  • Students: 400 yen

▼ Nagano Travel Essentials ▼

• 【Transport】
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• 【SIM card】
  • Japan SIM / eSIM 👉👉 Check KKday | Klook deals
• 【Accommodation】
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