How to Onsen with Monkeys in Nagano: Korakukan Snow Monkey Ryokan

While the Jigokudani Monkey Park has been a famous tourist hotspot in Japan for several years now, many people still don’t know about Nagano’s hidden Snow Monkey Ryokan, where you can spend the night at the birthplace of the monkey onsen!

Yet this past Nagano winter season, viral videos started circulating of people actually bathing in the onsen with the snow monkeys yet information remained vague and limited about how, when, when and even why you would visit Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan Ryokan.

So I planned my return to go beyond the regular day pass access, instead spending a night at the only inn in Hells Valley, so you have everything you need to know before you go to Korakukan Snow Monkey Ryokan.

We braved the monkey poo to find out the realities of bathing with snow monkeys, how much it really costs, and is the Jigokudani Monkey Park really worth it?

What is Nagano’s Snow Monkey Onsen?

Nagano’s famous Snow Monkey Onsen is the natural hot spring at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-Koen), where wild Japanese macaques come to soak, particularly during the colder months. Yet Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan is the human bathing alternative, the ryokan just next door, where you might be lucky enough to bathe with the monkeys.

And no, it’s not a zoo or some fancy monkey spa… these are wild monkeys living their best lives, and we’re simply lucky enough to walk into their world and watch it unfold.

The difference between Jigokudani Monkey Park vs Korakukan Ryokan

Simply put, Jigokudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-Koen) is the tourist attraction where visitors can walk along the forest trail and see Japan’s famous snow monkeys soaking in the famous hot springs.

Hidden in plain sight, Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan Ryokan is the only accommodation located within Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Offering a unique chance to stay and even soak in your own onsen alongside the monkeys.

The Ryokan has deep historical ties to Jigokudani, first opening in the early 1900s as a simple mountain lodge, serving as a base for scientists studying the Japanese macaques, ultimately playing a key role in early primate research that helped bring global attention to what is now the famous Snow Monkey Park.

Where is the Korakukan Snow Monkey Ryokan?

Korakukan Ryokan is directly across from Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey Park) in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. Just outside the onsen towns of Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen.

It sits inside the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, about 45 minutes from Nagano City.

How to get to the Snow Monkey Ryokan?

Nagano is the most direct base for visiting the Snow Monkey Ryokan and Park, with fast shinkansen connections from Tokyo and other major Japanese cities.

Transport	Route	Time	Good to Know
🚌 Bus	Nagano Station → Snow Monkey Park via the Nagaden Express Bus or Shiga Kogen Express Bus	⏱️ 45 mins	The easiest and most direct option. The bus drops you relatively close to the park entrance, making it especially popular in winter. The walk to the monkeys starts off a little steep and can get slippery.
🚄 Train + Bus	Nagano Station → Yudanaka Station by Nagano Dentetsu Line, then local bus → Snow Monkey Park	⏱️ ~1 hr +	A good option if you’re staying in Yudanaka or nearby.
🚕 Car	Nagano City → Snow Monkey Park	⏱️ 45 mins	Gives you much more flexibility on timing. While Parking is free for day access you would need to find overnight parking in Shibu Onsen. Public transport is often safer in winter due to weather too.

🚏Important notes about the Snow Monkey Park Express Bus

You are best to get tickets directly from the Nagano Station East Exit dedicated Snow Monkey office. This is right in front of the Snow Monkey Park Express bus stop. Please note this may be subject to change with recent peak season mandatory ticketing updates.

It is best to ask for Snow Monkey Pass for the Express Bus: 
JPY6,800 per adult (aged 13+) / JPY3,400 for children (6-12).
This includes your Monkey Park entry ticket, allowing you to bypass the ticketing line up the park.

However, if you are like us and plan to stay the night you should only get a one way for JPY3000 as the return only has a 24hr window.

What to know before booking Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan Ryokan

Well, more so, what I wish I knew before we booked as we made plenty of mistakes, wasted a lot of time and money to live our own monkey fairytale…

Korakukan Opening Times

Korakukan primarily operates as a traditional Japanese inn, with the main experience being an overnight stay, although it does open for day onsen access. Each has different time slots and very different prices (more on that to come).

🏨 Hotel Stay (Ryokan Guests)
Check-in: From 3:00pm
Check-out: By 10:00am

Overnight guests have private access to multiple onsen during their stay well beyond the day access and regular park hours (yes, there are actually more baths here than the famous outdoor spot!).

♨️ Day Use / Onsen Access
Hours: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM for day visitors.

Please note these opening times and which baths are available can change depending on the season, weather and conditions. In winter especially, heavy snowfall can affect access to some of the outdoor baths/monkey habits.

Korakukan Facilities & Amenities

Korakukan is a traditional, 160+ year old Japanese ryokan, so don’t arrive expecting a modern hotel with a gym, luxe pool and endless amenities. The facilities are all about the traditional ryokan experience, immersing in its wild research history and of course, making a few monkey friends.

For the most up-to-date information and further pricing details, check out the Korakukan Website.

Korakukan Rooms

Korakukan has a small selection of traditional Japanese-style rooms, with a current limit of only 4 rooms sold per night.

The rooms are surprisingly massive, with tatami flooring, futon bedding, dining table and sweeping views across the valley and river.
There is so much character and history within each room and don’t forget to keep an eye out for all of the hidden monkey decor (even on the yukatas!)

Where to book the Snow Monkey Ryokan – Korakukan

Book the Korakukan Ryokan – and how to save $$$

The listing still shows up on Trip.com, although currently unavailable for bookings. I would still recommend always comparing between platforms as it will vary season to season.

We made our 2026 reservation via Travel Arrange Japan – They were the only place I could find that accepted foreigner bookings for the Ryokan and honestly, it was super easy and I would absolutely use them again for future unique onsen bookings.

How much is a Day Pass at Korakukan Snow Monkey Onsen

Onsen Day Pass: 1,500 yen
There are also a small range of drinks available for purchase from the owner and/or the vending machine on site.

About the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

If you are making the trip out for Korakukan Ryokan, you would be crazy not to zip across the bridge to experience the iconic Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

Yet despite being known as the birthplace of the Snow Monkey Onsen, the ryokan and monkey park are different businesses and require different tickets. Let me break it down for you:

Where do I buy Jigokudani Monkey Park tickets?

Originally, if you didn’t already buy the JPY6,800 Snow Monkey Pass with return Express Bus, you can purchase tickets on arrival at the park ticket booth for JPY800.

However, recent updates in order to counter overtourism and maintain monkey/human safety has set MANDATORY ONLINE TICKETS FOR PEAK SEASONS. These tickets must be reserved online via the official Webket Reservation System.

Beyond the above screenshot, here is the official Snow Monkey Resorts website guide on how to purchase tickets in advance for the Snow Monkey Park.

Best Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Day Tours

Klook.com

Snow Monkey Park Hours

APRIL to OCTOBER: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
NOVEMBER to MARCH: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Again, the park website updates these opening times daily on this web page.

Alternate Unique Onsens near Jigokudani

While Korakukan is the only inn you can stay in Hells Valley, you are not short on alternate onsen stays at the nearby Shibu Onsen.

They may not be the birthplace of the snow monkey but you may be lucky enough to see a coupel roaming around this famous onsen town with easy day access to the Snow Monkey Park itself just up the road.

The Best Time to Visit the Snow Monkeys

The Park is open all year round BUT the iconic experience you have seen flooding your feeds is not so listen up.

Season	Pros	Cons
❄️ Winter (December – February)	• Peak snow monkey season• Valley blanketed in snow• Monkeys most likely to be soaking in the steaming hot springs• Classic snow monkey experience	• High tourist season• More crowds and tour buses• Mating season
🌸 Spring (March – May)	• Monkeys still regularly using the hot springs• Baby monkey season!• Possible cherry blossoms• Still plenty of snow early in the season	• Paths can get very sloshy and muddy• Weather can be unpredictable• Snow starts melting
🌿 Summer (June – August)	• Beautiful, lush scenery• Great time for hiking• Generally quieter than winter• Warm weather	• Monkeys spend more time foraging in the forest• Hot spring sightings are much less likely• You can potentially go days without seeing them
🍁 Autumn (September – November)	• Stunning fall foliage• Quieter than peak winter• Beautiful hiking conditions• Monkey sightings improve as temperatures drop	• Sightings can still be inconsistent• Less likely to see monkeys bathing until it gets colder• Snow doesn’t usually arrive until later in the season

So, when IS the Best Time to bathe with the Snow Monkeys?

December to February is the prime time for the iconic snow-covered monkey hot spring scenes, though Spring is ideal if you want to see baby monkeys and enjoy milder hiking conditions.

My brutally honest experience staying at the Snow Monkey Onsen

The Booking Process

I usually stick to platforms like Trip.com, Klook or Booking so I was a little hesitant to find the only way foreigners can book the snow monkey ryokan was via a Japanese Travel Agent.

Not that I am against travel agents, afterall I used to be one but I wasn’t sure how much they varied in Japan and if it was going to be way more trouble than it was worth – well, if it was actually legit…

Luckily, Travel Arrange Japan made the whole process a breeze from the moment we equired via their website. Pricing, information and payments were all very transparent right from the start and we were always kept updated as our booking approached.

Now if you are simply looking for day access here, you can ignore this completely because all you have to do is show up on the day and hope for the best haha

The Hike to Jigokudani Onsen

After braving a usually steep and icy road, you can not miss the giant welcome sign starting the main 1.6km hike with a mix of stairs and winding mountain paths leading you into the valley.

This is the same path for both the Monkey Park and Ryokan so you can not get lost as they are either side of the river one you get to the end.

It is well signed and well kept but do not let that get you too cocky. This path conditions vary as do the crowds. No matter the season, you need good walking shoes and a basic level of fitness/common sense.

Visiting the Snow Monkey Park

Despite Jogikudani Monkey Park tickets not being included in your stay, it is well worth making the effort to visit while you are nearby whether you do so before your stay or the next day after check out.

We did an early morning at the Snow Monkey Park before our 3pm check-in later that same day. You can read my full Jigokudani Monkey Park Review here for all the juicy detail on that.

The one downside of this was that we had to do the hike back out just to grab some lunch then once again hike back for check in as you are not allowed to bring food into the park nor is there a restaurant available. Don’t worry your stay does include meals but more on that later.

Day Access and/or Check-in

Yes, you do not have to splurge the $500 or so for the night like we did (although I still stand by it being worth it), there is day access here at this Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan for about 1500JPY/$10 each – no reservations needed but spots are limited.

This is a mixed gender, open-air bath where swimwear is optional, but I will warn that there is a very clear view from the Monkey Park gates where people love ot take photos from.

The good thing about this is that you can see if there are any monkeys bathing before you pay to enter. The day we visited the Monkeys did not use this hot spring at all until sunset once the main park had closed as had the day access onsen.

What it was really like bathing with the Snow Monkeys

Food at Korakukan Ryokan

Let’s be honest, I did not book this ryokan stay for the food yet it actually became a highlight and, even most unexpectedly, I had the best croissant of my life here…

The owner harvests fruits and vegetables from the valley and hand-makes every meal. We were spoilt with tempura vegetables, soups, fresh jams, homemade croissants and so much more.

And hey, if you are not into any of that, there are some basic noodles and a vending machine on site.

The reality of staying at Korakukan Ryokan

This is not a luxury stay – You share a bathroom, the building shows signs of wear from its 160+ years of history, there is monkey poo everywhere and you have to hike to get there. And you know what, I would do it all over again for the truly unique and historic monkey experience.

Ultimately, you need to come in with realistic expectations that this type of stay is unpredictable and full of surprises.

Common questions about the Snow Monkey Ryokan

Here are the quick answers to the most common questions about visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.

What to pack for a night at Korakukan Ryokan

• A small overnight bag – leave you big suitcases at a hotel in the city or coin lockers at the train station/bus stop.
• Extra cash for tickets, snacks and souvenirs
• Swimwear
• Regardless of what season you visit, comfortable walking shoes are essential. For the cooler months, make sure they have lots of good grip.
• A camera (please tag me @wanderingdonut in all of your snow monkey pics when you visit!!!)
• A proper snow or waterproof jacket – as you can see, it can get pretty wild here!

Are you guaranteed to see monkeys in the onsen?

Sorry to break it to you, no you may not see monkeys in the valley at all.

They are completely wild and depending on weather, season, luck the monkeys can be scattered anywhere in the valley. Even then, it usually has to be quite cold for the monkeys to want to soak in the hot springs.

We got so lucky around sunset when the entire troop made their way down the mountain for the night, stopping by the onsen on their way through (then again in the morning going back up the mountain)

Is Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan Ryokan tattoo friendly?

Yes, Jigokudani Onsen is tattoo-friendly.

We had no issues using any of the public shared baths with tattoos. With the added bonus that we actually had it all to ourselves the night we stayed.

There are also private baths you can use if you would feel more comfortable, but they do not have the same iconic monkey potential.

Do you need to stay overnight at Korakukan to use the onsen?

No, the onsen is also available for day use. However, you have more opportunity and chance to see the monkeys when you stay overnight.

With limited overnight guest you will often have private onsen access – well besides the 200+ monkeys around too.

Is Jigokudani Onsen open 24/7?

The onsen closed around 8am the morning we stayed for a full drain and clean before day access opened again at midday. So don’t make the same mistake we did – try to squeeze in an extra soak before breakfast when staying at the ryokan!

TBH, monkey poo really is everywhere, so I would much rather know it is consistently being cleaned than to have another soak in dirty water anyway.

Are the monkeys dangerous? Do they bite? How close can you get?

These are WILD monkeys but habituated to humans, and serious incidents are rare. Probably just like you or I, they would only attack if provoked. Keep a respectful distance, avoid eye contact, never touch or feed them, and follow rules at all times.

It is not so much about how close you can get and more about how close they decide to get. I had some brush right past me in the onsen while others stuck ot the other side of the river.

While some got close to us they didn’t touch our cameras, bags or towels, unlike the much scarier monkeys you see across the rest of Asia. These Japanese macaques are very used to calm human behaviour and belongings, so they often ignore it.

Is Jigokudani Korakukan Ryokan ethical?

Yes, it is generally considered ethical because the monkeys are not bred for entertainment, the habitat is protected, and strict rules minimise human impact.

Some key notes:

• Minimal feeding done by park staff was historically done in winter to prevent starvation yet now the monkeys largely forage naturally, and visitors are strictly prohibited from feeding them.
• Again, this is not a ZOO. They are not forced into the hot srpings, these monkeys are completely wild.
• Jigokudani is also a scientific study site, where researchers observe macaque behavior, social structures, and winter adaptations. The Ryokan was the original research hub.

Is the hike difficult? (Accessibility note)

The walk to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is about 30–40 minutes each way on an uneven forest trail. Stairs, gentle inclines and varied sloshy conditions

It’s manageable for most people with basic fitness, but not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for strollers, especially in winter.

Klook.com

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Is it worth staying at Korakukan Snow Money Ryokan?

If you are looking for a unique Japan experience, I do not think anything can top this – well, nothing has for me just yet…

HOWEVER, if you are:

• A germaphobe who doesn’t want to be around monkey poo and/or share a bathroom
• Scared of monkeys
• Travelling on a tight budget
• Have accessibility limitations (as the hike here is not wheelchair or pram accessible)

This stay probably is not for you. Hey, maybe day access bathing is, even just visiting the snow monkey park or finding an alternate hot spring experience in Shibu Onsen…

Don’t get me wrong, seeing a troop of 200+ wild Japanese macaques running right at us down a mountain while we sat alone, very exposed in a hot spring was one of the most terrifying moments of my entire life it was also the most exhilarating, amazing and Disney princess-y.

Our entire stay at Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan Ryokan surprised me. With some of the best like the monkeys and fresh mountain meals and less than ideal monkey poo and morning onsen closures for cleaning.

Be intentional with your timing, flexible with your expectations, respectful of everything, and soak it all in (literally)

As always, if you ever have any questions or are feeling extra nosy and want more in-depth insight, do not hesitate to email me or DM @wanderingdonut ♡