Snow monkeys of Japan
Dec 5th, 2011, 02:07 PM
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Snow monkeys of Japan
I viewed the snow monkeys of Jigokudana, Japan over 6 days. During mid winter it is very cold, with access requiring a 2km walk along a snow and ice covered path through the forest. I found to get the most out of this remarkable experience requires some planning. To help with this I have written an illustrated article which includes photos and maps at http://www.artphototravel.net/asia/snow-monkeys-japan/
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Dec 8th, 2011, 01:32 PM
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Great stuff! Your footware hint could prevent a spill. For 6 days, you mostly hung out with the snow monkeys?
What were the dates that you went?
Did you couple the snow monkey trip with anything else or would you recommend something else that would be good at that time of year and appealing to someone who'd spend 6 days with snow monkeys?
Thanks for the helpful report.
What were the dates that you went?
Did you couple the snow monkey trip with anything else or would you recommend something else that would be good at that time of year and appealing to someone who'd spend 6 days with snow monkeys?
Thanks for the helpful report.
Dec 11th, 2011, 01:04 PM
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Was at the snow monkeys 7 -12 February. Tried to pick the time with most snow. But this varies from year to year. Snow was not as deep as I had hoped, so didn't get the image with the monkeys lightly covered with snow. Staying at the Rayokan just outside the entrance allowed us to go back and forth to get warm and rest when the monkeys weren't there. The large males come in the morning and afternoon to get fed by the rangers. At other times females and young were in the pool or foraging nearby.
Some of the Japanese historic towns are also very pretty this time of year with snow all around. We went to Takayama and stayed in the old part. Has a small historic area, with a lot of atmosphere. Just outside Takayama (a 15min bus ride away) is the Hida folk village (Hida-no-Sato open-air museum), where they have moved some 30 historic thatched farm houses.Pretty in the snow and interesting, but does not have the soul of a living village.
Further away but still connected by bus (50min)from Takayama was the living Shirakawa-go historic village with Gassho style houses, covered in snow with reflecting rice ponds. Georgeous! There are places to stay here.
Some of the Japanese historic towns are also very pretty this time of year with snow all around. We went to Takayama and stayed in the old part. Has a small historic area, with a lot of atmosphere. Just outside Takayama (a 15min bus ride away) is the Hida folk village (Hida-no-Sato open-air museum), where they have moved some 30 historic thatched farm houses.Pretty in the snow and interesting, but does not have the soul of a living village.
Further away but still connected by bus (50min)from Takayama was the living Shirakawa-go historic village with Gassho style houses, covered in snow with reflecting rice ponds. Georgeous! There are places to stay here.
