Hot springs in Jigokudani
Jigokudani, Chubu · Japan
Jigokudani, located in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its unique onsen town atmosphere. The area, nestled in the valley of the Yokoyu-River within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, features steam and boiling water bubbling from crevices in the frozen ground, creating a surreal 'Hell's Valley' landscape. This natural hot spring setting is further enhanced by its surrounding steep cliffs and cold forests. The town attracts visitors year-round to witness hundreds of wild Japanese macaques bathing in the warm onsen waters, offering a unique blend of nature and culture. Winter is ideal for visiting Jigokudani to see snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. However, they are present all year due to feeding by park attendants.
Top-rated hot springs in Jigokudani
Jigokudani Onsen sits in the Shiga Kogen highlands of Nagano Prefecture, a remote mountain spring known above all for the troops of Japanese macaques that descend from the surrounding forest to bathe in the open-air pools. The Korakukan ryokan has operated at this location for more than 150 years. Visitors reach the spring on foot, following a narrow trail through beech forest for about 30 minutes.
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