Snow Monkeys

At the start of last year I spent 3 weeks in awesome Japan. We headed up to Yamanouchi district, which is about a 45 minute train ride from Nagano. We stayed in traditional Japaneses accommodation, which is an Onsen, in the Yudanaka Onsen area. From there we walked the 5 km uphill in the slippery snow to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. It was -05 degrees too did I mention that? In case you were wondering most of the Onsen/hotels run a regular bus to the park, would have been nice to know that before we walked....Anyway, the Jigkudani Monkey Park is amazing. The Monkeys are wild and wander where they like. They also do want they like so watch your bags...

For most they monkeys are content to sit in the Natural hot springs and soak and sleep and then soak some more before getting out to forage for food. There are o fences separating the people from the monkeys or vice versa. Often while attempting to use my camera tripod I would look down to find a baby monkey swinging on the legs.

I've put up three photos but there are more, click here to see them at my website.