01.05.23 02:22 AM

Monkey Park Dzhigokudani or park snow monkeys (Jigokudani Yaen-koen, Jigokudani Monkey Park) - an unusual place, lying at an altitude of 850 meters in the valley of the river Ёkoyu (Yokoyu) on the island of Honshu, Japan. It is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, and is a part of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. He became famous thanks to Dzhigokudani colony of Japanese macaques that live on its territory and show a very original behavior.

Due to the steep cliffs, dense forests of cold, rising from the ground steam and boiling water that spills out of the slots on the frozen soil, the ancient people called this place the Valley of Hell (Dzhigokudani) from what happened and the current name of the park. Third year the local area covered with snow. However, despite the harsh conditions and a large number of active hot springs, monkey park Dzhigokudani for several centuries, it is home to the famous colony of Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys. Their number in the territory of the sights can be up to 200 individuals. The main highlight Dzhigokudani - love monkeys in hot springs (onsen), in which they are swimming pools, as if in a huge bath, luxuriate, press close to each other and, as can be seen in many photographs obtained from this process a lot of fun.

Local say that the first time a hot bath took one of the female - to see in the water spilled the beans, she reached into the water for potential prey. Its example was followed by other primates, beginning with his appearance of new attractions.

According to official figures provided by nature spa snow monkeys began to develop around 1963. The opening of the park dates back to 1964 year. Since its inception, he rapidly began to gain popularity worldwide as the only place where you can watch the swimming Japanese macaques in the wild. The "bath" season (late November-March) in the monkey park is drained huge number of tourists. For photographers and researchers visiting Japanese Dzhigokudani - a unique opportunity to watch the monkeys up close, studying their appearance and habits in the wild.

Japanese macaques - the most northern kind of monkeys that are able to withstand temperatures below -15 ° C. They are distinguished by particularly thick gray-brown fur, warming them in the cold of winter. In northern Japan, where the average air temperature in winter is -5 ° C, the Japanese macaque Honshu find additional heat in the hot waters of the thermal springs. Due to its outstanding habits they became one of the main attractions of Nagano Prefecture. This type of monkey is on the verge of extinction and is protected by relevant organizations.

In spring and summer, Japanese macaques spend time lying in the forest high in the mountains, traveling from tree to tree and collecting various goodies. When will come the winter cold and the local area surrounds a thick layer of snow, animals descend down the mountain slopes, and stop at the hot springs of Hell Valley, enjoying a vacation in a natural spa. During warmer months, their love of the water is not lost - the monkeys are small ponds, where cool off and have fun, just like humans do.

The natural pools of monkey park Dzhigokudani Japanese macaque whole families splashing, soaking, relaxing and closing his eyes in pleasure. In particularly cold days primates become hostages of their hot tubs - departing from the food into the frosty air, the wet wool is covered with ice, from what little animals became even colder. For such cases, to ensure sustenance for basking in the water group animals clever monkey thought through a kind of system of duty - dry hair macaque Trays their relatives wet food directly to the pool.

Sitting in hot water up to his neck, snow monkeys spend there most of the day and only in the afternoon, when the sun warms the air as much as possible, they can go out on the land to eat and dry off. Dries macaque quite unusual - sorted and clean each other a wool, like catching fleas. In fact, in this way they express their love relatives. By nightfall snow monkeys returned to the forest protection.

Visitors to the park snow monkeys can watch its inhabitants at arm's length - pools do not have fences, and primates have become accustomed to the presence of humans and are not afraid to approach them closer. But the administration forbids Dzhigokudani around animals, feed, touch or look them in the eyes, because this behavior is interpreted as hostile to the monkey world. Guests should not make sudden movements that can scare the animals. And here is a photo and video shooting is permitted, but not desirable to get the equipment out of the case next to the monkeys, because these actions may cause aggression on their part.

The diet of Japanese macaques in winter consists of roots, berries, leaves and insects that they find in the frozen ground under the snow, and pine needles, bark and kidney trees. In other, more abundant seasons, they feed on fruits, roots, fresh leaves, small animals, bird eggs and insects.

The path to the thermal lake with monkeys can not be called easy - to get to the monkey park Dzhigokudani need to climb to a height of 850 meters, passing a narrow forest path of about 2 km long, with the local places are often showered with heavy snowfall. Despite all the difficulties, reservation of Japanese macaques in Nagano remains the most popular destination in the region.

In winter, the snow monkeys Dzhigokudani park is open from 9:00 to 16:00 and from April to October, you can visit it from 8:30 to 17:00. Official output in the schedule there, but unfavorable weather conditions may force the administration to close the entrance to the territory without prior notice.

The cost of visiting the monkey park Dzhigokudani for adults is 500 yen (~ $ 4), for younger guests - 250 yen (~ $ 2). Children under five years free admission.Park snow monkeys is located in 255 km north-west of Tokyo. From the Japanese capital is best to go to the city of Nagano, which is necessary to overcome about 230 km. Then Nagano Station need to take the train Dentetsu, bound to Yudanaka (Yudanaka). Distance - 30 km. Further, by bus or taxi to get to town Kanbayasi-Onsen (Kanbayashi Onsen). There starts the pedestrian path along a narrow path in the mountain through the forest to the main entrance of the National Park Joshinetsu Kogen length of 2 km.