Happy New Year 2019!!
Have you ever seen Japanese macaques soaking in the hot springs?
Jugokudani Yaen Koen (also known as the Snow Monkey Park) is a world-famous tourist spot where you can see wild monkeys taking an open-air bath in the hot springs.
Seeing the monkeys is an easy day trip from Matsumoto to Jigokudani.
Matsumoto to Nagano: JR Local or Express train, 50 to 80 minutes
Nagano to Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop*: Nagaden Express Bus, 45 minutes
Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop to Snow Monkey Park: A 30-minute walk along a hiking trail
*For transportation from Nagano, you can alternatively take the Nagano Dentetsu train to Yudanaka, then catch the local bus to Kanbayashi Onsen, which is about 100 meters past the Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop.
Near the bus stop.
Heading for the park entrance.
The entrance of the park.
Follow the 1.6 km mountain path inside the park.
Almost there! The ticket office is up the stairs.
The park is located deep inside the mountains.
A crowd of visitors around the monkeys.
There they are!
If you plan to make a roundtrip from Nagano, the SNOW MONKEY PASS is highly recommended.
This pass includes:
2-day unlimited use of the Nagano Dentetsu Line Train, the Nagaden Express Bus, the local Nagaden bus and free admission to the Snow Monkey Park ( One-time only!).
Prices: Adults ¥3,500, Children (age 6–12) ¥1,750
The pass can be purchased at the following stations of Nagano Dentetsu Line (Note: The pass is not available at any JR stations.):
Nagano Station, Gondo Station, Suzaka Station, and Yudanaka Station
Jugokudani Yaen Koen Official Site (English): http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/
Nagano Dentetsu Group official site (English):http://www.nagaden-net.co.jp.e.yv.hp.transer.com/
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