Snow Monkeys and the Japanese Alps

I have always had a fascination with Japan. I remember as a boy watching the television series Shogun with Richard Chamberlain and being captivated by the country and culture. I’ve visited Japan twice before, both times through educational programs. The first was in 2008 as part of a teacher exchange hosted by the Hyogo Prefecture. On my second trip, I led a group of American students on a three-week ambassadorial program. Each experience left a strong impression—enough that I knew I would return to the land of the rising sun.

Fifteen years later, I found myself planning a new trip to Japan with familiar places I wanted to visit again, and new locations I wanted to explore. One of these places is Nagano. Located in the Japanese Alps, Nagano is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural history. It hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is also home to one of Japan’s more unique sights—Japanese macaques, or “Snow Monkeys,” who famously soak in hot springs during the cold months.

A Little Background ...

Years ago, I came across a photo by renowned nature photographer Art Wolfe titled Hot Springs Zen. It’s a striking image of Japanese macaques in a natural onsen, steam rising around them as they sit still and calm. That image stuck with me.

When I moved into a new home, I bought a large print of that photo for my living room. This photo has sparked plenty of conversation over the years and people inquire - why monkeys? Partly, it’s a personal connection: I was born in the Year of the Monkey, and the playful side of these animals resonates with me. But more than that, it’s the sense of stillness and focus in the image that I’m drawn to.

As a teacher and theater director, my days are surrounded with many people. I enjoy the energy and creativity that comes with that work, but, as an introvert at heart, I love to come home to a serene and tranquil space and relax, just as the macaques are sitting in the hot spring on that snowy day.

Seeing the Real Thing

Naturally, visiting the Snow Monkeys in person had been on my list for many years. I booked a small-group tour to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, a park in the mountains where the monkeys live. The day started in with a visit to Zenkōji Temple in Nagano before we drove up into the hills. After lunch at the base of the park, it was time for the hike.

Since it was summer, I wasn’t expecting the classic image—no snow, and the monkeys likely wouldn’t be using the hot springs. There was also no guarantee they’d be around at all. But I had checked the park’s live camera feed, and they’d been spotted the day before, so I was hopeful.

And, I wasn’t disappointed. As soon as we entered the park, we saw them—macaques grooming, lounging, chasing one another, or keeping an eye on their surroundings. Having grown up around visitors, they largely ignored us, going about their routines without much interest in the cameras pointed their way.

Some visitors snapped pictures with iPhones, others with professional gear. I had my zoom lens and got to work. The monkeys didn’t exactly cooperate—they turned away, ran off, or did something that was not the most photogenic. Out of the thousand or so shots I took on burst mode, I came away with 20 I was genuinely happy with.

But the best part wasn’t the photography. It was simply being there, watching these animals up close in their natural environment. There were babies learning how to climb, mothers keeping watch, older macaques resting quietly. The whole scene was calm, grounded, and completely unaffected by the people standing nearby.

A New Perspective

Back home, that photo on my wall will take on a new layer of meaning. It’s still a calming presence in the room—but now it also brings back the experience of actually being in that park, watching those same animals with my own eyes.

What was once just an inspiring image is now a reminder of a real place and moment—quiet, curious, and worth the wait.

My Visit with the Snow Monkeys

Osaka

Tokyo