photo by Koji Ishii
Jigokudai Hot Spring in Nagano prefecture, one of the most famous natural hot spring area of Japan. Describing the view of sheer cliffs with white plumes of steam, the place has been called “Jigokudani”, Hell Valley. But what makes this place so famous is bathing wild Japanese macaques, aka snow monkeys, in winter time. Wild monkeys bathing in the hot spring water can be seen only in Jigokudani. Every winter, groups of Japanese macaques visit this park to warm themselves in the hot water. Since these bathing wild monkeys were internationally broadcasted in TV programs, Jigokudani has been a hottest tourist’s destination for foreign visitors. This column will introduce Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park and Japanese macaques you can see in this park.
About Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park was opened in 1964 in order for observation of wild Japanese macaques. Japanese macaque is very common animal that inhabit most of areas in Japan. However, it is not easy to closely observe wild monkeys as they normally live deep in the mountains where humans hardly step in. In this park, the management team regularly feed monkeys to lead them into the park so that visitors can observe behavior of wild Japanese macaques.
There is a hot pool in the park that monkeys come to bathe during winter time. During severe winter in Jigokudani, the temperature often drop to -10 degrees and over one meter snow lies on the ground. Monkeys in Jigokudani somehow learned to soak in warm spring water to survive harsh winter. Also, this park is open to the public throughout the year. You can see cute baby monkeys in spring, monkeys actively getting prepares for coming winter, or other seasonal behavior and activities of Japanese macaques.
Basics about Japanese macaques (snow monkeys)
As can be guessed from its name, a Japanese macaque is a species of monkey that is native to Japan. Being one of the most familiar animals to the Japanese since ancient times, Japanese macaques were often described in old tales or even worshipped as a deity of the mountain. In the real world, they live in troops that contain a few number of males and 2-3 times more females. They constantly travel around in troops within a certain area without having a place to settle down. While females stay in their natal group for life, males tend to leave the group once they are sexually mature to join other troop or stay by themselves. Also, females recognize and raise their own offspring, however males hardly recognize their parent-child relationships and take a role to protect the entire group. Infant monkeys never recognize their father while they show great affection to their mother.
The most remarkable Physical characteristics of Japanese macaque is reddish face and posterior. They have short tails and furry body except for face and posterior. Their habitats spread around Japan. While macaques in cold regions tend to grow longish fur, they have rather short fur in warm regions. Generally, other species of monkeys live in the Temperate Zone to the Torrid Zone. Japanese macaques are unusual species of monkey that also live in cold regions like Jigokudani, where the temperature drops below zero. This is the reason why Japanese macaques are also known as “snow monkeys” and paid lots of attentions from overseas.
Common behavior of Japanese macaques
Grooming
Grooming is a commonly seen habit between Japanese macaques. They look as if they are picking something in other’s fur and eating it, so people often misunderstood they are picking fleas. In reality, no fleas can inhabit in monkey’s fur thus Japanese macaques don’t pick fleas. Grooming is a way they show affection between male and female or parent and child. They also sometimes do grooming to make up relationships with others after a fighting.
Mounting
You may occasionally see a monkey standing and leaning on the other’s back. This is called mounting behavior and commonly done between two individual monkeys no matter of their sex. Japanese macaques confirm the dominance rank between them to avoid unwanted fighting.
Communications
Japanese macaques gather information predominantly from their vision. They learn the other’s emotions from expressions on their faces. Also, they often use verbal communications by using different tones to express their feelings such as alert, fury and self-exhibition.
No “leader” in a group
It is commonly believed a troop of Japanese macaques has one “leader” that keep a rein on everyone, but this is not true. Japanese macaques do exist in a stable dominance hierarchy, therefore there actually is a monkey that has the highest dominance rank in the group. But it is not that this top dominancy monkey rules a group with his power, or a leader loses his rein for losing a fight against a young one.
Reminders
There are a few important reminders to observe wild Japanese macaques in Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.
Do not show or give any food to monkeys
They have scheduled feeding time within the park. Visitors are not allowed to feed monkeys in the park. Also, do not show monkeys any food or drink, otherwise you might be attacked or monkeys come to snaggle on your foot.
Do not touch or try to frighten monkeys
Monkeys in Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park are not commercially bred in the park. They will recognize you as a threat and turn aggressive if you touch or chase them. Even though they don’t show any sign of aggression, being directly touched distress them.
Do not look monkeys in the eye
Looking monkeys in the eye means a sign of hostility for them. Also, opening the mouth widely may alert them and raise their aggression.
No pets allowed
You are not allowed to bring dogs, cats or any other pets in the park as moneys generally disrelish other animals.
Watch for monkey excrement
Japanese macaques regularly move place to place without having a nest, therefore they have no habit to go to a specific spot to urine or poop. They may discharge urine or poo anytime anywhere, so watch for droppings or excrement on the ground.
Wear appropriate clothes
Jigokudani is located in a heavy snowfall area and the temperature often drops below zero during winter. Also it takes 35-minnutes on foot from the nearest bus stop or parking area to Snow Monkey Park. Make sure you wear appropriate clothes and footwear.
How to get to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Contact
Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park
6845 Yamanouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun Nagano
TEL: 0269-33-4379
Access
By train: Take an express bus to Shiga-kogen from JR Nagano station to “Snow Monkey Park” (41-munites) then 35-minutes on foot. Or, take Nagano Dentetsu Line from JR Nagano station to “Yudanaka” (38-minutes). Take a bus from Yudanaka to “Kanbayashi Onsen” (15-munites) then 35-minutes on foot.
By car: Exit from Joshin-Etsu Expressway at Shinshu-Nakano I.C, keep driving 8km to Kanbayashi-Onsen Parking Area. Then 35-minutes on foot from the parking area.
Opening hours
Summer (April – October): 8:30 – 17:00 (approximately)
Winter (November – March): 9:00 – 16:00 (approximately)
Fees
Adult (18years and over): 800yen
Child (primary school – high school): 400yen
Happiness is a nice hot bath
Images of snow monkeys soaking in the bath water under the snow are now known world-wide. You might have thought that even monkeys love bathing in the bath lovers’ country Japan. In reality, this place is recognized as the only place wild monkeys come to soak in hot spring water in Japan. Anyway, monkeys happily relaxing in the bath will definitely make you smile. When you visit the park, take a good look on what each monkey does. Interestingly, they all have different characters.
