A must-do day trip from Hakuba or Shiga Kogen. How to get there, what to wear for the walk, and photo etiquette.
The "Iconic" Day Trip You’ve seen the photo: a Japanese Macaque soaking in a hot spring with snow on its head. It’s the "Golden Master" of Japan travel photos. The Reality: The monkeys don't live at the parking lot. You have to work for this shot. At JapanSnowWatch, we get asked about the monkeys every single day. Here is how to do it properly. --- 1. The Walk (The Frozen Trail) Once you get off the bus or out of your car, there is a 1.6km walk to the Onsen. The Warning: The trail is dirt, snow, and ice. It is often extremely slippery. The Fix: Don't wear your fancy fashion sneakers.
Wear hiking boots or rent proper winter boots. Yuki's Hack: Buy "Spikes" (crampons) at the cafe near the trail entrance for 1,000 Yen. They slip over your shoes and stop you from falling. 2. When to Go? The Time: Arrive as soon as the park opens (9:00 AM). By 11:00 AM, the tour buses from Tokyo arrive and it becomes a mosh pit. The Weather: The monkeys only soak in the hot spring when it is cold. If it is a sunny, warm day, they will just sit on the rocks. Go on a snowy day. 3.
Monkey Etiquette Don't touch: They are wild animals. They will bite. No Food: Keep your snacks deep inside your zipped bag. They will literally steal your phone if they think there is a snack attached to it. Camera: Use a zoom lens. You want to stay back and capture their expressions without being in their personal space. --- It’s a 3-hour round trip from Hakuba. Is it worth it? Yes. It is one of the few places on earth where you can be that close to wildlife in its natural habitat. Check our Live Cams in Nagano before you leave—if it’s a total whiteout blizzard, the trail might be closed!