Japan - Snow Monkeys

Jigokudani Monkey Park

 

Because of the very steep cliffs and the steam coming off the thermal springs, ancient people called this valley ‘Jigokudani (Hell valley)’ . Also it is buried in snow almost one third of the year. Even that kind of severe environment is a paradise on earth for monkeys to live in. The troops of wild Japanese macaque (popularly known as snow monkeys) inhabit here naturally through the ages. Since the establishment of Jigokudani Yaen-koen in 1964, it has been a worldwide popular place for watching the bathing monkeys in a hot spring. [jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp]

We stayed close to the monkey park for three nights at the historic Korakukan Inn, which played a crucial part in helping protect the monkeys and in the establishment of the park. Construction of ski resorts in the 1950's encroached on the natural habitat of the monkeys high in the mountains. They were forced to migrate to lower regions where they began raiding crops from the farms, to the understandable dislike of farmers who bagan to hunt down the monkeys. The owners of the inn had become fond of the monkeys and began to leave apples outside. As an 'onsen' guesthouse, Korakukan has both indoor and outdoor hot springs. Legend has it that one day a young monkey tumbled into the hot sring to grab a fallen apple, and discovered that the water felt good. Soon, other monkeys followed the lead, bcoming the only monkeys in the world to enjoy bathing in an onsen. Although the sight of bathing monkeys immediately proved popular with visitors, there were obvious problems with monkeys sharing the onsen with human guests. These issues led to the founding of the monkey park a little higher up the valley; a place where the monkeys would be safe, and where they could enjoy their own dedicated onsen.

Nevertheless, monkeys continue to bathe at the inn. Anne's most cherished memory of our visit is when four monkeys came to quietly commune with her in the outdoor onsen.

 

Korakukan Inn,below the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

The perpetual geyser that gives 'Hell Valley' its name; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Description of the geyser; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mist-shrouded tree above the Korakukan Inn, Japan

Keep the door shut of the monkeys will get in; Korakukan Inn, Japan

Outdoor (human) onsen with monkeys; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Japanese serow above the path to the snow monkey onsen

The monkey onsen, early morning before the tourists arrive; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Tourists around the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

You really don't need a long lens to photograph at the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park!

 

Portraits of adult snow monkeys

White-haired elder snow monkey; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Red-faced, orange-eyed snow monkey portrait; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey portrait with arms clasped; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey portrait on black; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

High-key snow monkey portrait; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey with slightly fierce expression; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey yawning, on black; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey portrait on black with outstretched arms; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey peering over the edge of the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Snow monkey mothers with babies

Mother cuddling baby by the edge of the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Mother and baby bathng in onsen by green rock; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother with two youngsters bathing in the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey with surprised expression by mother; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother and baby clasping hands in the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother carrying baby on back with staemy background; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Head-on view of mother with baby on back in falling snow; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother with baby on back jumping up rocks; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Baby with mother behind in onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother with baby cuddled under chin; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother running through snow with baby on back; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mother and baby on rocks in snowfall; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Juvenile Snow Monkeys

Juvenile snow monkey - Horizontal portrait; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey hands; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey sucking thumb in onsen, with ripples ; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young smow monkey with snow on back; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Hunched-up young snow monkey; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Trio of young snow monkeys; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey with head above water in onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Face of young snow monkey framed by fur; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Head of young snow monkey - back; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Head of young snow monkey - front; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey with thumb in mouth; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Snow monkeys - mutual grooming and huddling

Head grooming in the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Young snow monkey unpappy about being groomed; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey hand detail; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Two hands grooming fur; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mutual snow monkey grooming #1; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Mutual snow monkey grooming #2; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

     

Mutual snow monkey grooming #3; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Trio of snow monkeys in huddle; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey eye peeping through a huddle; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Trio of snow monkeys huddled in blowing snow; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Two young snow monkeys cuddling; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

      

Snow monkeys in snow

Snow monkey in falling snow; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Two snow monkeys on rocks on snow slope; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey standing on rock exposed in snow; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey digging snow at base of rock; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey running in snow; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey running down snow slope; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

Snow monkeys - action shots

Young snow monkey running along the wall of the onsen; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Snow monkey crossing river on suspended pipe; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Young snow monkey leaping between rocks; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Procession of three snoe monkeys leaping up a staircase of rocks; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Alpha male snow monkey confrontation #1; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

Alpha male snow monkey confrontation #2; Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Japan

 

created 05/07/2023