Soaking Up Serenity: The Snow Monkeys of Nagano's Hot Springs

During the cold months in Japan, while other animals burrow into the earth, cuddle up, or eat more food, the Japanese macaque (or snow monkey) has a much more fun solution: a spa treatment. This is no exaggeration. During winter, snow monkeys in Japan can be seen bathing in one of the natural hot springs of Nagano. It’s a sight to behold and a popular highlight for tourists in the region.

Read our guide if you’re thinking about seeing these clever creatures for yourself. We’re about to dive into details related to snow monkeys, their natural habitat, and cultural impact. We’ll also provide a guide on visiting the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and how to maximize your experience.

Introduction to Nagano's Snow Monkeys

The Japanese macaque, fondly named the snow monkey, is a terrestrial monkey species native to Japan, specifically the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These creatures are called snow monkeys because many of them live in habitats with temperatures so low that the ground is covered in snow virtually all year. Besides humans, no other primate dares to live in a colder climate than these monkeys.

The macaque is the only monkey species in Japan. However, it’s divided into two subspecies. One of them (Macaca fuscata fuscata) lives on the mainland in the northern regions, while the other (Macaca fuscata yakui) lives on islands down south.

The Japanese macaque has a reddish face, a short tail, and reddish buttocks. The color of its thick coat ranges from brownish-gray to yellowish-brown. The snow monkey is so common in Japan that natives use saru, the general word for “monkey,” when referring to it.

Japanese macaques typically display behaviours one would expect from a primate. They socialize, play, and seek out food. However, the northernmost species are famous for displaying the unique behavior of bathing in steaming hot springs to keep themselves warm. This trait has attracted tourists worldwide. Every year, millions of people visit parks and resorts in which these creatures inhabit simply to see their famous hot spring bath.

The Fascinating World of Japanese Snow Monkeys

Japan has four main islands, and snow monkeys are native to all of them except for Hokkaido. They are semi-terrestrial but spend the majority of their time on the ground. Their habitats range from the subarctic forests of Shimokita Peninsula in the northernmost region of Honshu to the subtropical forests of Yakushima Island in the southern region of Japan. Hence, the Japanese macaques can live in both cold and warm climates. Their average lifespan is roughly 30 years.

The monkeys are highly social, living and traveling in troops as small as 10 or as many as 600. They also have a well-organized social structure, in which the females remain in the natal group while the males move to other groups before they become adults. Each natal group consists of several males from alien groups and female descendants from the same bloodline. This is what experts call a matrilineal society. The younger females are higher in the social hierarchy than their older sisters in the matrilines. There is usually an alpha male who may lose his status after dying or leaving the group. All-male groups only exist temporarily, until the monkeys have transferred to new groups.

The Japanese macaques spend most of their days foraging for fruits, crops, vegetables, insects, and small animals. During the winter or in periods of heavy snow, they eat a lot of tree bark. Their fur also grows thicker. To stay warm, the snow monkeys in the colder regions, most notably those inhabiting Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano, take a trip to natural hot springs, where they enjoy a relaxing bath.

Snow Monkeys and the Hot Springs of Nagano

Nagano is a mountainous city in the heart of the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s the largest city in Nagano Prefecture and also the prefectural capital. Although Nagano City is an industrial center and a historic location, it’s surrounded by mountains and experiences heavy winter snowfall from December to March.

Thanks to the presence of subarctic forests in its mountainous areas, Nagano is home to hundreds of wild snow monkeys. The monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park are especially famous for using the region's hot springs to keep warm in the cold winter months. Some historians believe that they picked up the habit by watching human guests at the nearby onsen (hot springs resort) soaking in the warm waters. Others claim one monkey accidentally fell into the waters and liked the feeling, prompting others to join. No matter how the trend started, it certainly does wonders for their health. The hot springs help them to stay warm and lower the levels of stress-inducing hormones.

A Day in the Life at Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Yaen Kōen, or Jigokudani Monkey Park, is an area in northern Nagano Prefecture. It’s located in Jigokudani (hell valley) in the town of Yamanouchi, which is not too far from two popular onsen resort towns, Shibu and Yudanaka. The park is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and is accessible via bus from Shibu Onsen, Yudanaka Station, and Nagano Station.

Jigokudani Monkey Park is not just a major tourist attraction but also home to about 150 Japanese macaques. It was opened in 1964 as an area for studying the social structures of snow monkeys in their natural habitats. The park’s main attractions are the snow monkeys. People visit from all over the world to see these wild animals engage in various activities like grooming, playing, and, of course, soaking in the hot springs.

As a visitor walking in through the park entrance, the first interesting sight you see may be a group of snow monkeys gathered around a man-made pool. They’re used to humans, so you should have no problem observing their interactions from close range. However, touching or feeding the monkeys is prohibited.

Heading further into the park, you’ll find an information center, where you can learn about the monkeys’ hierarchy system and see images of past alpha males. Winter is the best season to visit the park. There’s heavy snow at that time; hence, the wild monkeys require little to no incentives to bathe in the pool. Many people show up around the pool when this happens. You should use the opportunity to take spectacular photos.

The Cultural Significance of Monkeys in Japan

The cultural perception of monkeys has evolved throughout Japanese history. Around the 8th century, monkeys were seen as mediators between mortals and gods. Their reputation gradually turned sour after the 13th century, when some cultures began to associate them with tricksters. The deterioration continued long into the 17th century. At that time, they were attributed to most negative human traits. People also considered them to be laughable imitators of real humans.

Nevertheless, religious monkey deities have existed for centuries. In Shinto tradition, Sarutahiko Ōkami, the god of crossroads between earth and heaven, resembles a monkey. Shinto sects also worship a monkey god known as Sarugami.

Monkeys feature in Japanese folklore, where they appear mostly as tricksters or mediators. They are also part of the Japanese zodiac, which follows a twelve-year cycle. The last three iterations for the Year of the Monkey were in 2016, 2004, and 1992, respectively.

Tips for Visiting the Hot Springs with Snow Monkeys

The following are some practical tips for tourists planning to visit the hot springs to see the bathing monkeys:

• January and February are the best months to visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park if you want to see lots of monkeys bathing in hot springs.

• Go to the park early in the morning to avoid crowds.

• In cold weather, don't forget to bring a hat and gloves.

• Maximize your experience and plan a day trip to Nagano, where you can explore the park and Shiga Kogen ski resort.

• You can spend the night in any of the nearby ryokans in the area. This will give you access to hot spring baths for humans.

• Some accommodations in Shibu and Yudanaka onsen towns may offer free rides to the park.

• Follow all rules, including those regarding interactions with the monkeys. Remember, you’re not allowed to touch or feed them.

Conservation Efforts for the Snow Monkeys

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the current conservation status of the snow monkeys is “Least Concern.” This means that they are not in any foreseeable danger of extinction. However, conservation measures such as habitat protection and the creation of nature reserves are underway. The establishment of the Jigokudani Monkey Park was one of them. Although tourism has helped to boost public awareness of these creatures, parks and reserves have to manage human-animal interaction to protect the wildlife population.

Comparing Nagano’s Monkeys with Other Hot Spring Wildlife

The Japanese macaques are not the only animals that love natural hot springs. The South American rodents known as capybaras also enjoy a warm bath. Like snow monkeys, these creatures soak in the water to stay warm in the winter. They may also have picked up the habit from watching humans do it. You will find these furry rodents in Izu Shaboten Park, located in Shizuoka Prefecture.

How the Snow Monkeys Influence Local Tourism

The snow monkey is one of Nagano’s main tourist attractions. Millions of people visit the region each year to see these creatures. Some of the tourists stay in the local hotels and ryokans, further contributing to the local economy. The major challenge is that Nagano has periods without snow in the summer and autumn. In those times, the monkeys hardly jump in the hot springs for a bath, and this can be a letdown for the tourists.

Preserving the Magical Experience of Snow Monkeys

It’s very important that all parties involved do their best to preserve this unique interaction between nature and wildlife for future generations to enjoy. The snow monkeys are proof that through adaptation, wildlife can coexist with humans in the same area.

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