皆様こんにちは！
霜夜の冷え込みが深まる季節となりましたが、皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか。
今回は長野県の観光地「地獄谷野猿公苑」のご案内でございます。

地獄谷野猿公苑は、長野県の北部、上信越高原国立公園の志賀高原を源とする横湯川の渓谷に位置しています。標高850メートルのこの地は、1年のほぼ3分の1が雪に覆われる厳しい環境です。
しかし、ここはサルたちにとっては楽園。古くからこの地にはニホンザルの群れが自然のままに暮らしています。
地獄谷野猿公苑は、1964年開苑以来、ニホンザルの興味深い生態を間近で観察できる場所として、広く世界中の人々に愛されています。
ここでは世界で唯一、温泉に入るサルを見ることができます！

こちらの公苑は冬がメインで取り上げられていますが、ほかの季節も楽しむことができます。
4月～6月は気温の上昇と共に食べられる草や木の芽も実り始め、サルたちの行動も活発になります。
またこの時期はサルの出産時期になりまして、生まれたばかりの赤ちゃんサルを見ることができます。
この赤ちゃんサルは冬になるとほかの子供サルと見分けがつかないくらい大きくなります。
赤ちゃんサルを見たいなら春がおすすめです！

ちなみに8月後半から10月くらいまではサルの出勤日が少ないかも…

地獄谷野猿公苑の公式HP・インスタグラムにはニホンザルの出勤予報や今出勤情報等の掲載もございますので、お出かけ前にご確認ください。

地獄谷野猿公苑HP
地獄谷野猿公苑公式Instagram

当館からは

・車で約２時間（高速利用あり　碓井軽井沢I.C～信州中野I.C）　公苑近くに無料・有料駐車場あり

・電車で約２時間
　軽井沢駅　→（北陸新幹線）→　長野駅　→（長野電鉄）→　湯田中駅　→（バス）→　バス停「スノーモンキーパーク」

駐車場、バス停「スノーモンキーパーク」から地獄谷野猿公苑までは徒歩３５分となっております。
アクセス情報：地獄谷野猿公苑【公式】 | アクセス

上林温泉から地獄谷に至る湯道遊歩道は一部坂がありますがほぼ平坦な道のりです。上林温泉から地獄谷までは約2km、徒歩30分ほどの道のりです。
地獄谷へ通じる道としてだけでなく、ふもとの村に農業用水や温泉を引くための道でもあり、古くから大切に守られてきた道です。
道中ではニホンカモシカやリスに出会うかもしれません。小鳥の声に耳を傾け、森を抜ける空気を肌で感じ、ハイキングをお楽しみください。

軽井沢を見尽くした方、遊びつくした方はぜひ地獄谷野猿公苑まで足をお運びください！

 

Hello everyone!

We are now in the season of frosty nights and cold weather, how are you all doing?

Today, I would like to introduce you to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, a tourist spot in Nagano Prefecture.

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is located in the valley of the Yokoyu River, which originates in Shiga Highlands in Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park in northern Nagano Prefecture. Located at an altitude of 850 meters, this area is a harsh environment, covered in snow for nearly a third of the year.

But for monkeys, it is a paradise. Groups of Japanese macaques have lived here naturally since ancient times.

Since its opening in 1964, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park has been loved by people from all over the world as a place where you can observe the fascinating ecology of Japanese macaques up close.

This is the only place in the world where you can see monkeys bathing in hot springs!

Although this park is mainly featured in the winter, it can be enjoyed in other seasons as well.

Between April and June, as the temperature rises, edible grasses and tree buds begin to ripen, and the monkeys become more active.

This is also the time when monkeys give birth, so you can see newborn baby monkeys.

By winter, these baby monkeys will have grown so large that they are indistinguishable from other baby monkeys.

If you want to see baby monkeys, spring is the best time!

By the way, you may also see some monkeys here and there in that area during late August and October

You can find all detailed information about Jigokudani Monkey park in terms of their opening hours, featured events etc, through their official website and Instagram.

Go check it before heading out.

 

Jigokudani Monkey Park Website

Jigokudani Monkey Park Official Instagram

 

From our facility

Approximately 2 hours by car (including expressway access from Usui Karuizawa IC to Shinshu Nakano IC). Free and paid parking is available near the park.

Approximately 2 hours by train

Karuizawa Station → (Hokuriku Shinkansen) → Nagano Station → (Nagano Electric Railway) → Yudanaka Station → (Bus) → Snow Monkey Park bus stop

It is a 35-minute walk from the parking lot and Snow Monkey Park bus stop to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.
Access Information: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park [Official Website] | Access

The Yudo Promenade, which leads from Kanbayashi Onsen to Jigokudani, has some slopes but is mostly flat. It’s about 2km from Kanbayashi Onsen to Jigokudani, a 30-minute walk.

This path has been carefully preserved since ancient times, not only serving as a route to Jigokudani, but also as a road to bring irrigation water and hot springs to the villages at the foot of the mountain.

Along the way, you might even spot a Japanese serow or a squirrel. Listen to the birdsong, feel the fresh air as it cuts through the forest, and enjoy your hike.

If you’ve seen and enjoyed everything Karuizawa has to offer, be sure to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park!