This small mountainous village is home to the world famous bathing 'snow monkeys'; these wild macaques wander down from the surrounding mountains to enjoy a little open hot spring therapy.
The best time to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park is in winter, when the snow covers the ground and large troops of monkeys come down from the surrounding mountains to the hot springs to bathe, play and socialise with each other. There are many traditional ryokans here to stay at. Oddly enough, very few tourists make it up to this small mountain village to see the monkeys, which if you make the effort and visit it you will be richly rewarded.
