Snow Monkeys

Just outside Nagano is the misnamed Hell Valley, a system of outdoor volcanic water pools built in 1966 to keep the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) from using people's backyard hot tubs. Some 200 monkeys from three "troops" share the pools.

Willing to trade privacy for a hot bath, the monkeys ignore a constant stream of people through the fenceless Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Hell Valley Wild Monkey Park where they know they have the run of the place. Not so wild anymore, the snow monkeys accept regular feedings from park rangers, pose for photographers, hang from trees, play, fight, and raise families in between hot soaks

Zenkouji Temple

Zenkouji is one of the few remaining temples in Japan that retains the religious fervor of a functioning pilgrimage mecca. Historically open to women when other temples were not, now up to eight million visitors (more than half women) visit the temple annually. Their purpose is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to ensure salvation by touching the Key to Paradise located in a pitch black passageway under the main altar.

At the same time, Zenkouji is a non-sectarian temple whose religious leaders (a priest and a priestess) share the responsibility for rituals. It is not affiliated with any one particular sect of Buddhism so all are welcome, regardless of gender, creed or religious belief (for this reason, amongst others, the temple was a centerpiece during the 1998 Winter Olympics). Its hidden image is the focus that transcends idol worship, howsoever the faith is practised here.

Day Tours

Day tours are availble from Hakuba that take you to visit the Snow Monkeys in there natural state and Zenkouji temple. Rates start from 9000 yen per person and the tours operate from December through to April.