I’d heard about Japan’s “snow monkeys” for years. The snow monkey, also known as the Japanese macaque, is a primate native to Japan and famous for coping with winters that are properly brutal, snow, ice, and temperatures that can drop below -20°C. They’re easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for: thick brown-grey fur that looks like it was made for blizzards, bright red faces, and those short little tails. But the thing they’re most well-known for (and honestly, the reason I was excited to meet them) is their habit of soaking in natural hot springs, or onsen, to keep warm. Literally my spirit animal as I ALSO love to onsen!
I pre booked our snow monkeys tour for smack in the middle of our skiing time as B usually needs a break by that day. I booked online with the local Nozawa company who host the tours although apparently there are a few new groups offering full day options. Looking at the schedule below I was a bit sad I only get an hour with them…but apparently that’s actually too much time and I was likely to be easily done by then. This was absolutely correct by the way. Also be aware they place a hold on your credit card when you book then keep renewing it….i didn’t recognise the charge when it was renewed and it caused some chaos.
Cost was 8000 yen ($80 AUD) each and I also got a 10% discount as we are staying in nozawa accomodation,
The monkeys were adorable and I officially want to steal one. The babies were catapulting each other off trees while the parents sunbathed.
Our food today included:
- Bus snacks (pocky, everyone loves pocky. And hi-chews)
- Breakfast was a steamed bun from the roadside again
- Dinner was at Tanuki cafe and while it was pricey it was very, very tasty.. the miso chicken was particularly good but so were the desserts….and the scallops….all of it really!
Mel's Travel Blog 