The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat in Nagano, Japan, is accessible year-round. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)
The macaque, or snow monkey, is familiar to any Netflix subscriber — the animals are featured on programs like “Wild Babies” and “Night on Earth.”
A firsthand, up-close encounter with these iconic primates is an essential experience in the island nation, as any woodland hiker in Japan will attest. A trip to their surroundings in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano prefecture will check that box on your list of Japanese things to do.
The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat in Nagano, Japan, is accessible year-round. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)
The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat is accessible year-round, in warm months from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The icy, sometimes slushy winter trail in warmer months is an easy hike from the parking lot to the Joshinetsu Kogen’s entrance.
The macaques are spread out through the entire park. Many are within camera range, but visitors are prohibited from using drones or other gear that will startle the animals.
The monkeys at Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan, are not afraid to approach humans, and they’re known to deliver a slap to human paparazzi who get out of line. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)
There is really no need for any special lens; the monkeys are not afraid to approach humans, and they’re known to deliver a slap to human paparazzi who get out of line.
Otherwise, the rules are few and visitors have free range to watch the monkeys, even right up to the communal hot spring where the macaques congregate and their youngsters play.
Feeding time comes as the park is closing, and park employees throw what looks like a seed mixture to the monkeys. The experience can be intense as the animals exit the hot spring and make for the chow line.
The macaques are spread out through Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan. Many are within camera range, but visitors are prohibited from using drones or other gear that will startle the animals. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)
The drive from central Tokyo can take about three hours on the expressway, but it’s worth the trip. The mountains are beautiful and warrant a stop to take pictures.
No outside food is allowed in the park, but a pastry and ramen shop are side by side next to the parking lots before the hike to the park.
On the QT
Directions: Set your GPS or Google Maps for 6845 Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano prefecture; roughly a three- to four-hour drive from Tokyo.
Times: Varies by season.
Costs: Park admission is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children.
Food: No food is allowed in the park, at least for humans.
Information: jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp
