The Snow Monkeys Of Nagano!
Monkey boards the Snow Monkey Express!
It is time...to make our way north from Tokyo to the land of the...SNOW MONKEYS! When we first started researching this trip, we stumbled upon a "Best Of Japan" article on CNN. One of the items — and photos — listed was of the famous Snow Monkeys of Nagano. We immediately knew we wanted to try and get there as part of our 2.5 weeks here in Japan. And, a few months later, we have found ourselves boarding our bullet train to the Nagano "Snow Monkey" Express! The journey from Tokyo was about two and a half hours. The travel in Japan is so organized and so easy and so on time — our best friend in Japan has been our Japan Rail Pass. You order it in advance from outside the country and it really is a money saver.
Once you get to Jigokudani — the home of the snow monkeys in the Nagano region — everything is Snow Monkey. Everythiiiiing. And we couldn't be more tickled.
We got to the town and decided to skip hotel check in and head right to the monkeys themselves. We weren't sure the best time to see them, so no time like the present. Once you arrive it is about a 5k hike to get to their home. And at the end of the hike...snow monkey heaven. The creatures can only be found here in Japan and in very few spots. Japanese macaque is the proper name for these creatures. When it's winter and there's snow on the ground, the monkeys all gather in the hot springs. We are here in spring and the snow has all but melted, but we did catch a few cheeky monkeys dipping themselves in the springs. After Africa, I always said no more zoos and if I wanted to see an animal, I needed to go to them and where they live. And that's just we did. And they are amazing.
Cheeky monkey!
After the monkeys, it was time to check into our first traditional ryokan. "A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo period (1603–1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner." Truly a special Japanese experience that one must do when visiting the incredible country. We are staying at Sakaeya in Yamanouchi — which is the snow monkey town.
Time to explore Yamanouchi and our town of Shibu Onsen! We chose to have a sake tasting at a local brewery. And there was a lot of sake. A lot. We then donned our yakata and took in Sakaeya's onsen, a natural hot spring, that is within the hotel. Ahhhhhhh...
After we've had our sake and our soak, it was time for our first full traditional Japanese meal in our ryokan room. Yakata and all. So much food. And truly beautiful form presentation to the food itself.
In Shibu Onsen, there are certain hotels that have access to the town's network of public onsens. You wear your yakata, put on the wooden shoes provided by the hotel with map in hand, and go visit the various dipping spots. The bath houses are numbered, but also have special names and cure different ailments.
With our tummies full and bodies fully relaxed, it's time to sleep. Tatami mat time.
Tim ready for his zzzzzzz's.
