Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑)
in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning "Hell's Valley", is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.

It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques, more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. Starting in 1963, the monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the hotsprings, and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

- Awesome photo taken by Jason Arney -