Snow Monkeys Of Hell's Valley: Japan's Famous Hot-Spring Snow Monkeys

An incredible natural phenomena is happening in the Land Of The Rising Son as we traveled to one of the largest prefectures and Japan, Nagano.

A figure in a dark coat walks a path through a tall cedar forest on the way to Jigokudani.

By the way, Nagano is mostly know for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics.

We made our way over the mountain trail to see the wild snow monkeys (wild Japanese macaques) bathing in the hot springs, and we were truly intrigued along with many other visitors at this incredible spot.

Snow monkeys huddle at the edge of a steaming hot-spring pool as snow falls.

As we were observing these incredibly resilient animals, I couldn't help but wonder, if it is actually us which are the ones in the zoo.

Visitors under umbrellas crowd a railing in falling snow, watching the monkeys up close.

If you ever get a chance, please go to visit the Wild Snow Monkeys of Hell's Valley.

PS: This particular prefecture is also where I have my very first taste of horse meat, both raw (soy sauce and garlic), and cooked on a hibachi decades ago now.

Excellent, it was.