20240216a Snow Monkeys in Shiga Kogen

20240216 So after our walk to the top we arrived at the only place in the world where you can see the awfully cute Snow Monkeys relaxing while they bathe in the hot spring. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is in the Shiga Kogen foothills along the Yokoyu River, and is covered with deep snow a third of the year and is home to these famous little creatures since 1964. The park aims to keep the monkeys in the area and away from their other great love, pillaging the neighbouring farmland. Japanese macaques can be observed in an environment without fences or cages due to the staff at the park feeding them daily, from the time of its opening. They live in the surrounding mountains, but come down for the free meals from December to March when you can watch them bathing.

The family at the hot springs, well most of the family, shit head Ash refused to have his photo taken, bloody teenagers.

There's no shame as the one on the right takes a long pee while the Mother flees her baby.

I managed a photo of this guy drinking from the fountain of youth, Bum's Up.

This guy possed for ever as he soakes up all of that rich mineral's.

At least until he dosed off, so cute and they don't try and steel your belongings like the Monkey's in Thailand.

Shibu no Jigokudani Geyser is a symbol of Nagano Prefecture's hot spring culture and a rare geothermal phenomenon. Unlike most geysers, which erupt at intervals ranging from a few minutes to several hours, it emits a continuous plume of water that can reach 20 meters in height and exits the riverbed at more than 90 degrees Celsius. The water is rich in sodium, sulfur, and calcium sulfate. and, crystalline mineral deposits that accumulate around the geyser's mouth must be periodically removed to ensure it does not become blocked. Jigokudani (literally, "hell valley" ) is a name that is often given to areas with widespread geothermal activity. Before the source was tapped for use as bathwater, Shibu no Jigokudani had many geysers that filled the valley with rumbling sounds, clouds of steam, and whiffs of sulfur.

Shibu no Jigokudani Geyser.

We couldn't resist snapping a quick pic with this guy who was happy munching on some bark.

Wild snow monkeys spend a large part of their day foraging, they love fruit, but depending on what is available will eat plants, small animals, insects, farm crops, and even soil. During winters with heavy snowfall, they rely heavily on eating bark.

I'm a bit cautious but this fellow is happy munching away on this stick and doesn't seem fazed by us being close to him.

It's a fact, ice falling from roofs can cause serious injury to the unsuspecting traveler.
After a visit to the gift shop the boys and Dad patiently wait for Mum and Grandma.

One of the street stalls as we are leaving the park only after that long walk we really need to sit down with a coffee and relax our weary bones before our long drive home.

I managed a fly by shot of this structure, made of stainless-steel cylinders, and is 12.9 meters high, it represents the image of Nagano City growing upwards with branches stretched out to the side, in the hope that Nagano City will continue to grow indefinitely. It was built so that people coming by car on the expressway would know that ``this is Nagano City.''

This is just one of the many tunnels we went through on our way there and home.


Mum with her new Snow Monkey's earrings, child.

The End To a Great Day
Location: Shiga Kogen, 7148 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan

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