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Important
This is a wildlife area—monkeys can be aggressive; keep distance, don’t try to touch/annoy them, and watch your face and belongings (the post mentions quick uppercuts). Best viewing is often in colder months when they’re more likely to use the hot spring. Expect an outdoor walk on a forest path; wear good shoes and warm layers in winter.
- 📍Location
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (Snow Monkey Park), Nagano Prefecture
- 🚃Getting There
- From Tokyo: take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, then the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagano Electric Railway) to Yudanaka or Kanbayashi Onsen area, then a local bus/taxi to the trailhead and walk ~30–40 minutes through the forest to Jigokudani Monkey Park. From Nagano City (nearest major city): train (Nagano Dentetsu) to Yudanaka + bus/taxi to the park entrance, then the same walk.
- ⏱️Time Needed
- Half day (about 3–5 hours including transit from Nagano Station and the walk), or 2–3 hours on-site if you’re already nearby
- 👥Crowds
- Often crowded
- 🥾Effort
- Some walking required
