Travel | Snow Monkeys, Japan

I can't wait to share this post with you. Just looking at these photos again makes me squeal with excitement. This was by far the best day of our trip in Japan. From Nagano in the Japanese Alps, we took a day trip to Snow Monkey Park to see snow monkeys in their natural habitat - and the trip most definitely didn't disappoint!

We were really lucky with what time of year we visited Snow Monkey Park as it's Winter there were huge amounts of snow making the hike up the mountain look so so beautiful. We hadn't seen snow this deep in years so it was super exciting for us!

The walk itself is breathtaking and we had to keep stopping to take a zillion photos but then once at the top you can see the snow monkeys immediately and it's literally the most special moment.

Although there are humans everywhere they don't care whatsoever and run all over the pathways, fences, up the trees, all over! They were getting in between our legs squealing and play fighting with each other. It was a real sight! And in the midst of all the chaos is a hot spring where they bathe and keep warm. Because they go from being so cold to so hot their faces light up a bright red colour!

It was like seeing something on David Attenborough! I couldn't believe that we were seeing snow monkeys up close and personal. It was really fantastic! Although they are fed occasionally to keep them in the area, the landscape is still very much their natural home and minus the other onlookers it's really the most beautiful sight!

It's a little tricky to get to if you're only in Japan for a couple of weeks but it is possible to take a day trip from Tokyo. It's just a very very long day as it takes a while to get there on the bus. Because we have over 3 weeks in Japan we were able to add Nagano into our loop of southern Japan and stay there the night. Either way it's a must see!