This park is world famous and often referred to as `The Monkey Park`. It has Japanese Macaques (the most northern most monkeys in the world) bathing in a hot-spring in winter to keep warm. The monkey`s seem oblivious to the photographers and tourists that flock to see them. You can walk around very close to the macaques and watch them interact with each other. They have a warden nearby who watches over them and you! He will throw grains around the hot-spring area for the monkeys to forage for. I was able to witness many examples of the monkey behaviour (such as grooming and fighting) that I had studied about.
HOW TO GET THERE: Take the Nagano Dentetsu train to Yudanaka Station in Yamanouchi (40 mins express train). Then take the Kambayashi bus (220 Yen) and get off at Kambayashi Snow Park. You can then walk for about 20 mins (good walking shoes essential) through a small forest. Admission to the park is 500 Yen. TEL: 0269-33-4379