In the Jigokudani valley, about 850 meters above sea level, we find one of the best-known groups of macaques worldwide: Jigokudani macaques, also known as Yokoyu river macaques or snow monkey.

If we are in Nagano, in addition to visiting the city and especially the Zenkoji temple, surely we also have in mind to make a getaway to see the Jigokudani macaques.

Another wonderful place to visit somewhere in Asia is Mount Fuji, especially Gora Park, the largest rock park in all of Asia. In it you can find a giant pond and also several gardens, such as the garden of alpine plants and the tropical botanical garden and even a natural history museum.

And although in the photos we almost always see them soaked in hot springs and surrounded by snow in winter, the truth is that it is an interesting visit at any time of the year.
Park history

The Jigokudani Macaque Park was inaugurated in 1964 and since then it has attracted the attention of both photographers, in search of the perfect photo, and of researchers in ecology and biology.

But it was undoubtedly during the Nagano Winter Olympics (1998) and especially thanks to an article in The New York Times when, they say, the park became popular among foreign tourists.

By its nature, the area received the name of hell valley or Jigokudani. And it is here that about 200 macaques live that, in winter, survive the low temperatures and the thick blanket of snow that covers the region thanks to the natural therm...