If you were to ask me to rank my favourite Japan experiences, visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen would be near the top of that list. Also known as Hell’s Valley or Jigokudani Monkey Park, it is world-famous for its population of wild Japanese macaques or snow monkeys.
Each morning, they descend from their mountain home to enjoy the steaming waters of the natural hot springs. They soak up the warmth, groom each other, huddle for a group hug and occasionally fight.
Make the most of your time at Jigokudani Yaen Koen with my best tips for visiting the snow monkeys in Japan.
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Location: Nagano Prefecture, 150 miles northwest of Tokyo (location here)
Getting There: By bus, train or organised tour from Nagano, the closest major train station. Nagano is 1 hour and 35 minutes by train from Tokyo
Opening Hours: Year-round 9 am to 4 pm daily. Extended hours April – October
Ticket price: JPY800 in 2026. Cash and cards accepted.
My Experience at the Snow Monkey Park
I visited the Snow Monkey Park in February as part of a 2-week winter Japan itinerary that kicked off with the Snow Festival in Sapporo. Like many people, I did this as a day trip from Nagano, taking the direct bus there and the train back via Obuse.
After a 40-minute hike, I reached the entrance to the park and made my way to the main hot spring pool. And there they were. A dozen or more monkeys in different parts of the pool, some relaxing in the water, eyes closed, others scampering along the edges, unfazed by the human visitors pointing camera lenses towards them.
A famous Time magazine cover brought to life.
I observed them for a while and then started taking photos and videos. It was hard to decide where to point my camera first.
I spent around 1.5 hours there before the biting cold drove me back down the trail to catch the bus for the return journey. It was a magical experience
My Top Tips for Visiting the Snow Monkeys
1. Aim to visit in the morning
These are wild monkeys, and they come and go as they please. They start arriving in the park as it opens and hang around until at least 3 p.m.
This is a popular attraction, especially in winter. By arriving early, you have the best chance of avoiding the tour buses.
2. Visit in winter
It snows in the Nagano Prefecture from December to March, and the best time to see the Japanese monkeys is January or February. Although the monkeys visit the park year-round, there is no guarantee they will appear on the day you visit (but no-shows are rare).
As cold temperatures encourage the monkeys to spend a lot of time in the onsen, their behaviour is more reliable in winter. During the warmer months, snow monkeys are less inclined to bathe in the hot springs (although they are likely to be milling around).
Another reason I opted for a winter visit to the Snow Monkey Park was for the best photographs. The landscape was blanketed in snow, and the monkeys were particularly photogenic, their thick fur and red faces striking against the steam rising from the onsen.
3. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
I visited Jigokudani Yaen Koen after recent snowfall, and the path to the park was treacherous. A friend who went there a few days before me was so freaked out by it that she abandoned her visit. True story.
It is reportedly very muddy at other times of the year.
Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots, or hire them from the shop at the start of the trail. The shop also sells inexpensive crampons.
The park is at an altitude of 850 metres, so wear your warmest layers. A hat, scarf and gloves are essential.
4. Enjoy the hike to the Snow Monkey Park
It is a glorious walk from the bus stop to the Snow Monkey Park, particularly in winter. For the most part, it’s a tree-lined forest trail. Close to the park, there’s Kōrakuan, the historic inn that inspired the development of the park – young monkeys used to play in its onsen – and Shibu no Jigokudani Geyser.
The trail to the park is one mile. Other than avoiding ice patches, it’s an easy hike. It is on the level along an unsealed path, with a short staircase at the trail entrance and a second steeper staircase and sloped path at the park’s entrance.
5. Don’t confine yourself to the main hot spring pool
You’ll see visitors gathered on the viewing platform surrounding the main onsen before you reach it. Although this is where you are likely to capture the best snow monkey photographs, it’s not the only place. It’s worth heading down to the river, if only because there are fewer people.
6. Buy the Snow Monkey Pass
This is a good deal if, like me, you are visiting the Snow Monkey Park as a day trip from Nagano on public transport. When I did the maths, it was the same price as one return trip + park entrance.
New for 2026, there are two types of Snow Monkey Passes, both valid for 1 day from the date of purchase:
Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus (JPY5,100 per adult)
- Admission to the Snow Monkey Park
- 1-day unlimited use of the Nagano Dentetsu Railway (including express trains).
- 1 round-trip on the Nagaden Local Bus from Yudanaka Station to Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop.
I recommend this pass if you want to make additional sightseeing stops to or from the Snow Monkey Park (I visited Obuse on the way back to Nagano).
Although this can be bought online, you need to redeem your voucher at the Nagano Dentetsu office at Nagano Station on the selected date on the redemption voucher. You can also buy the pass at the following stations on the Nagaden Line: Nagano, Gondo, Suzaka and Obuse.
Snow Monkey Pass for Express Bus (JPY6,800 per adult)
- Admission to the Snow Monkey Park – one-time only.
- One round-trip Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus from Nagano Station East Exit to Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop.
You buy this at the Nagaden Bus Ticket Centre “Aruyo” ticket machine, located on the 1st floor of the East exit of Nagano Station.
7. Allow at least half a day for your visit
A visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park typically takes at least three hours. This includes the 30 – 40-minute hike from the entrance to the park, as well as time spent observing the monkeys in the hot springs.
8. Visit Obuse on the way back to Nagano
Obuse is a wonderful pitstop on the train journey from Yudanaka – the closest train station to the Snow Monkey Park – and Nagano. It’s famous for its historic merchant houses, delicious chestnuts and the impressive Hokusai Museum, dedicated to the renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, who spent some time here.
Getting There From Nagano
Nagano is the nearest major station to the Snow Monkey Park. The bus is the most convenient way to get from Nagano to the park; the train is the most scenic option. Both options are covered by the Snow Monkey Pass.
By the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus
I caught the first bus from Nagano to Jigokudani Yaen Koen, which left at 8.50 am (there’s an earlier bus on Saturdays in the winter months). Check the timetable here.
A one-way journey costs JPY3,000 per adult.
The bus leaves from stand #23 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station. Make sure that you are waiting in line at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. It takes 50 minutes to reach the park’s entrance.
By the Nagano Dentetsu Line
Nagaden also operates limited express and local trains from Nagano to nearby Yudanaka Station. As this is a more complex journey, I only recommend it if you plan to do more sightseeing in another destination after seeing the snow monkeys.
The journey on the limited express service takes approximately 45 minutes. I don’t recommend the local service. This takes up to 80 minutes, and some services terminate at Suzaka or Shinshu-Nakano.
As a private train line, this service is not covered by the JR Pass.
You can buy your ticket at the ticket counter at Nagano Dentetsu Station or the ticket machines (there are instructions in English). You’ll need to select two tickets: the local fare to Yudanaka Station + a JPY100 express ticket. A map above the ticket machines displays the local fares to each station.
From Yudanaka Station, you’ll need to catch Kanbayashi Line or Shiga Kogen Line buses to the park. The journey time is less than ten minutes (a little longer on the return journey).
On an organised tour
An organised tour is a hassle-free choice. This highly-rated excursion includes Nagano’s celebrated Zenko-ji Temple, lunch and sake tasting. Works for me!
Visiting the Snow Money Park on a Day Trip from Tokyo
You can visit Jigokudani Monkey Park from Tokyo, but I don’t recommend it. It’s a long day trip, and you will have to set off very early to see the monkeys in the morning.
The fastest way is to take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. The journey takes roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes. At Nagano Station, follow the directions above.
It might be easier and more time-efficient to join an organised day trip. Other travellers love this full-day tour from Tokyo, which includes the park entrance fee, transport from Tokyo and lunch.
Enjoy seeing the Japanese monkeys!
I hope that you enjoy your visit as much as I did. If you’ve found this guide helpful, take a look at my favourite things to do in Nagano City. And if you have any questions, please add them in the comments below, and I’ll try to help.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.