Snow Monkeys of Japan

We traveled to Nagano, Japan to photograph the Japanese macaques who live in and around the Jigokudani hot spring. We took a bus to the base camp and then hiked in about 1.5 miles to stay at the only accommodations that are immediately adjacent to the hot springs. The snow monkeys are the northern most inhabitants of the primates.

Snow Monkeys 2016 Japan Snow Monkeys
They came down from the cliffs to find food and play in the hot springs.
Snow Monkeys 2016
The springs are in Jigokudani National Park near Nagano.
Snow Monkeys 2016
The snow monkeys have this sad, serious look most of the time.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snuggling to keep warm. The temperatures were in the 20s and 30s.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Preening is a top activity for these macaques.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Handsome dude!
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
The monkeys are skillful jumpers as they leap from rock to rock at the nearby stream.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Eating pine seeds
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
They look skinny when all wet
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Jill, one of our tour guides, found a local friend who played with her boot for a few minutes
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
The snow monkeys have become a popular photographic subject.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Keeping warm
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
A family enjoying the hot springs while it snowed
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Leaping even with junior on her back
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
About a dozen snow monkeys were tightly pack against a wall, obviously to keep warm, with only a couple of faces popping out
Snow Monkeys 2016
More huddling
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Racing to the corner
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Enjoying the sun
Snow Monkeys 2016
Dreaming, perhaps
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
This is the lodge where we stayed taken from the snow monkey park. It was rustic, a unique experience
Snow Monkeys 2016
Tucked into the woods is the park headquarters. The photo taken from our lodge. So we had excellent access to the park.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Another view of our accommodation
Snow Monkeys 2016
When initially coming to the park we hiked a 1.5 mile trail through this beautiful forest to reach the lodge.
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
Snow Monkeys 2016
We enjoyed our 3 days with the snow monkeys.
Snow Monkeys 2016