Finding Snow Monkey

I travel to fulfill my curiousity of so many things that i read or see the pictures. This time i will go to Jigokudani in an adventure of finding snow monkey. Jigokudani is a part of Nagano prefektur in Japan and to find the snow monkey you will hike a mountain about 1,3 km up.

I start the hike from my ryokan where i stay at yudanaka. The owner drive me and two persons from Aussie to the base, which only take about 5 min from the ryokan. If you didnt stay near here, you can use bus from yudanaka station.
There is a gift store near the entrance where people can rent some equipment to hike the mountain, like hiking shoes, umbrella, raincoat etc and some souvenirs. It was raining and i start walk on a path that cover with mud with the stair slightly seen. I feel surreal that i was about to enter a jungle in front of me, it’s something that i cant picture before.

It’s so quiet and the path was very narrow only about 1-1,5m. My left is a cliff and my right is a valley. Sometimes when i meet people we must walk carefully not to push the person to the side. Many times i must walk slowly because the rain makes everything so slippery. My heart just beat harder when i didint meet people for several metres.  But the scenery was absolutely beautiful and when i saw a river with rocks and bridge, houses on the other side and a little hot water splash is breathaking view.

You dont have to worry to get lost here because there are so many sign to lead you to the snow monkey.  Finally i arrive at the ticket office and paid 50 yen and meet the snow monkey. They just walking around and didn’t care of people around them. Down there i saw the hot water pool, where there is a live view camera so we can monitor this place before we go there. A little tip, the snow monkey ussualy come to the pool on autumn-winter and rarely come on another season. They will lounging in the pool enjoy the hot water with their group.

Maybe you all have seen the famous picture of the snow mountain somewhere on internet or TV show.  The monkeys will soak in the pool with that unique red face and the surrounding are covered with snow. Unfortunately the snow come late that December but also i relief l because it will be very dangerous to walk on those path with thick snow.

I actually continue my adventure to the Shiga Kogen mountain after i get back to the entrance of Jigokudani, and use bus to reach the ski resort. I cant recommed you to visit ski resort by bus because the bus schedule is rare.  Better rent cars and stay at hotels near the ski resort.  Also must check the snow report before visiting the ski resort.