The Snow Monkey Park has been welcoming visitors since 1964 to share the magical world of the
Japanese macaques. Now popularly known as the Snow Monkeys, their habit of bathing in the hot spring
attracts people from all over the world. Each winter the macaques endure freezing temperatures in a land
of heavy snowfall. Visitors can stand incredibly close to the snow monkeys as they relax and warm up in
the hot spring. Their unique way of life also attracts many famous researchers and photographers.
Snow Monkey Park
Snow Monkey Park is located in
the north of Nagano within the
Joshin’etsu National Park. The park
is 45 minutes by train from Nagano
station to Yudanaka station, and then
a 10 minute bus ride to Kanbayashi
Onsen, and 30 minute walk through
a pretty forest trail.
The park opened in 1964 along with
a ski resort. This influx of people
disturbed the monkeys, pushing
them downstream towards farmland
in search of new habitat. The local
farmers asked for the right to control
their numbers as they became pests,
eating apples and destroying crops.
Within the troop of wild monkeys
was one male macaque (the park’s
first generation alpha male) who
was particularly fascinating. It was
this monkey’s behaviour, and the
concept of monkeys and humans
coexisting, which sparked the idea of
opening the wild monkey park. The
macaques were given food regularly,
and eventually after 5 years, the
whole troop appeared in Jigokudani.
The habit of bathing in the hot
spring came about after a young
curious macaque dipped his toe in
the only primates living in such
a cold environment, they became
known as “Snow Monkeys”. The
snow monkeys are endemic to
Japan and are the only species of
primate inhabiting the country. The
macaques usually live as a troop of a
few males, 2 or 3 times more females
and their babies. The females usually
remain within the troop they were
born into, but most males will leave
the troop before they become adults.
LIFE magazine ran a cover story of the Snow
Monkeys in 1970 making them world famous.
Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel
the warm water. It must have felt
good to this little monkey because he
eventually immersed his whole body.
Other monkeys soon followed suit,
and their fame became widespread
throughout Japan.
A separate hot spring was built for
the water loving monkeys, and in
1970 they were on the front cover
of America’s LIFE magazine, which
spread their name across the world.
All About Snow Monkeys
Access
The Japanese macaque is known
as being the most northern living
primate. They are widely spread
throughout the broadleaf forests of
Hokkaido and the Ryukyu islands
of Japan. In winter the ground is
covered in deep snow; it is freezing
cold with temperatures dropping
to below minus ten degrees. Being
25mins from Kanbayashi Onsen on foot
Snow Monkey Park(Jigokudani Yaen Koen)
Admission Fee
Adult: 500yen　Child: 250yen (5-12 years)
■ Summer season (generally between April - October) 8:30-17:00
■ Winter season (generally between November - March)9:00-16:00
6845 Yamanouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun Nagano Japan 381-0401
Tel：0269-33-4379
Snow Monkey Bus Ticket
This is a convenient bus ticket for visitors wanting to
travel from Shiga Kogen to Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park.
The tickets are available at the hotels within Shiga Kogen.
Please enquire at the hotel you are staying with.
Grand Prize Winner 2006
Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith
Rice International Awards
SNOW MONKEY AND BABY
by Toshio Hagiwara Nagano, Japan
Attention
◦Please do not attempt to touch or startle the monkeys.
◦P lease keep a safe distance from the monkeys while
watching.
◦Please do not show food or feed to the monkeys.
◦S pecial photography (use of underwater or aerial
photographic equipment, or getting any type of special
equipment close to the monkeys) is prohibited.
Goods Line up
East Wing(5F)
Twin Room・Free Wi-Fi
Ski School
East Wing
Yakebitai-yama, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi-machi,
Shimotakai-gun,Nagano, 381-0497 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)269-34-3111
Snow monkey
Sake
http://www.princehotels.com/en/shiga/
Pounding mochi
Kamakura
(Japanese traditional igloo)
South Wing #2 Gondola(1F)
Japanese Izakaya will be newly opened on December 2015.
Snow Monkey Park Original
Character YUKIMON!Limited
Goods On Sale Now!
T-SHIRTS/Tote Bags/Phone Strap/3-Colour Pens/
Hand Towel/Stickers/A4 Clear File/Badges/Mascot/
50 Year Anniversary Commemorative Magazine
Contact Snow Monkey Park TEL.0269-33-4379
Available at:
◦Snow Monkey Park ◦Roadside station Kita-Shinshu Yamanouchi
◦Nagano Dentetsu Nagano Station Shop
◦Nagano Dentetsu Express Train ◦Obuse Highway Oasis
◦Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku
◦SNOW MONKEY RESORTS INFO & GIFT SHOP
10
11
From this season,
Shigakogen Prince Hotel
will be newly opened.
Ea st Wi ng wi l l se t up
Free Wi-Fi and all 5th
floor will be remodeled.
In addition, South Wing
will extend lobby space
and newly open Japanese
Izakaya. East and South
Wi n g h a v e c o n c i e r g e
counter for customers
from abroad. Also there
is English Ski School.