Don’t miss the famous snow monkeys enjoying bath time at Yudanaka Onsen.
Japan’s most famous primates are the “snow monkeys” from the Jigokudani hot springs near Yudanaka Onsen. To escape the cold of winter, the monkeys love to play in the natural hot springs. It is a fantastic show; Unfazed by humans and their cameras, entire families of monkeys eat, wash, splash, and even have snowball fights.
When to go: While Yudanaka Onsen only has snow in the winter (December to March), helped by the lure of the food, the monkeys play around the hot springs all year round.