The Japanese Macaque is a monkey species native to Japan, called “Snow Monkeys” because they live in areas where snow covers the ground for months at a time. No other non-human primate is more northern living, surviving winter temperatures of below 15 degrees centigrade.

​

The monkeys I visited live in  an area called Jigokudani (“Hell’s Valley”) due to steep cliffs and hot water steaming out of the earth. This is a paradise for the couple hundred monkeys who live in this Snow Monkey park, which opened in 1964.

​

Watching these monkeys play and relax and groom themselves in this environment is a treat. If you are ever in this area of Japan I would highly recommend a visit to see the beautiful creatures.