JIGOKUDANI MONKEYS

Jigokudani Monkey Park is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning "Hell's Valley", is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests. Within these forests lives the Japanese Macaque, a beautiful, curious and very mischievous snow monkey that lives in the park. They are very interesting and fun to watch, and every now and again you will see them sitting in the volcanic water to get themselves warm and have themselves an onsen. These monkeys are so beautiful to photograph and are full of personality and this will be an ongoing series every time we head back to Japan.