Destinations

Yudanaka

"The baby monkeys hid behind our legs having a snowball fight, whilst the older monkeys dozed off while soaking in the hot spring - they were just like people!"

Jarrod Stenhouse - Tour Leader/Travel Consultant

We normally wouldn't recommend visiting a place called Jigokudani, translation -  Hell Valley.  However, we will make an exception in the case of Yudanaka. Nestled in mountainous northern Nagano prefecture, Yudanaka is home to the delightful "snow monkeys".  During the winter months when the snow lies thick on the ground, these cute monkeys spend their days soaking in the area's famous hot springs.

The name Jigokudani is given to the area home of these Japanese macaques.  The origin of the name is less sinister then it sounds; the volcanic activity causes boiling water to bubble up out of small crevasses in the ground, creating the hot springs that the monkeys bathe in.

The remoteness of the valley means that this area is rarely crowded with tourist, meaning that you can get some amazing people-free snaps of the frolicking monkeys.

And the monkeys aren't the only ones who can have a soak!  Yudanaka is justifiably famous for it's amazing onsens.  There are many public onsen around this small town for you to have a soothing (and simian free) soak.

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Products featuring Yudanaka...

Self Guided Adventure

Winter Sports & Culture

Japan boasts great snow fall, modern resorts and a unique culture. Our Winter Sports & Culture package combines 5 nights in the fantastic resort of Niseko, a chance to see Yudanaka’s famous snow monkeys, time in the exciting capital city of Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan’s cultural and historic heart.

13 Nights: £2594

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Small Group Tour

Winter Highlights

Japan is a unique winter holiday destination and Winter Highlights brings you the very best of the season with the Sapporo Snow festival, rare birds, the charming snow monkeys and the hauntingly beautiful shrines and temples of Kyoto. This is a winter-time holiday treat you will savour forever.

14 Nights: £3250

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Self Guided Adventure

Traditional Spas

Onsen hot spring baths are quintessentially Japanese. Part of a culture and tradition stretching back more than a thousand years, they remain hugely popular today. We have selected here some of the very best of these hot springs combined with stays in Japan’s must-see cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.

15 Nights: £2800

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