Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan

The lone gorge inn where snow monkeys drop in

Jigokudani Onsen is a single inn, Korakukan, at the head of the Yokoyu River gorge below the Shiga Highlands, reached on foot from Shibu or Kanbayashi Onsen, and next door to the world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Founded in 1864, the inn is where monkeys first took to bathing in the outdoor bath — which led to the creation of the monkey park in 1964 — and in winter young monkeys still slip into the mixed rotenburo or come to drink the water early in the morning. The bath sits right beside the stream, and across it the Jigokudani geyser, a national natural monument, blasts white steam skyward — the very image of a “hell valley”. Sodium-calcium chloride-sulphate water flows freely with big flakes of yunohana, and there are also wooden gender-separated indoor baths, a women-only rotenburo and a family bath. Day bathing is a short 12:00–16:00 window at a not-cheap ¥1,500, and above all there is no road: it’s a 10–15-minute walk from the car park even in summer and 30 minutes on snow from Kanbayashi in winter — but paired with the monkey park it makes a perfect half-day. Because the mixed bath is visible from the park path, swimwear or a towel is permitted.

Tips & cautions

- Day bathing 12:00–16:00, irregular closures — phone ahead (0269-33-4376). Staying overnight lets you bathe in the early morning, when monkeys are most likely to appear.

- The mixed rotenburo is visible from the path — swimwear or a towel is allowed. Women can also use the women-only rotenburo (change and move over).

- Never feed the monkeys or stare into their eyes; watch your camera bag.

- In winter (Dec–Mar) the road to the Jigokudani car park is closed — 1.6 km / 30 min on snow from Kanbayashi Onsen; crampons and waterproof boots recommended.

- The source is very hot — test the outdoor bath before getting in.

- Tattoo policy unconfirmed — secluded inns tend to be lenient, but ask in advance.

- Monkey park admission is separate (adults ¥800); park hours vary by season (about 8:30/9:00–16:00/17:00).

Getting there

Nagaden bus for Kanbayashi Onsen 15 min from Yudanaka Station (Nagano Electric Railway) to “Kanbayashi Onsen”, then the 1.6 km Yumichi trail, ~30 min on foot (right beside the monkey park). By car: ~20 km on Route 292 from Shinshu-Nakano IC (Joshin-etsu Expressway) to the paid Jigokudani car park, then 10–15 min on foot (closed in winter). Hirao, Yamanouchi (Jigokudani Onsen); tel. 0269-33-4376.