Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in Hotspring

After trudging up the embankments of Jigokudani Valley through the hush of freshly falling snow and over patches of ice, we finally reached the last pool. Steam curled up from the hot spring as a family of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) settled in for their winter soak, the adults relaxing while the younger ones splashed and clung to them for warmth. Watching them at Jigokudani Monkey Park felt like stepping briefly into their world—a place where snow drifts quietly around the valley and the hot springs become a refuge from the deep Nagano cold.

Snow monkeys are the northernmost‑living non‑human primates, and their ability to thrive in such harsh winters is remarkable. Here in Yamanouchi, they’ve learned to use the natural hot springs as a communal hearth, gathering in tight groups that blur the line between survival and tenderness. Seeing multiple generations together—tiny hands gripping thick winter fur, elders blinking slowly through the steam—was a reminder of how deeply social and resilient these primates are.