Japanese Macaques (Snow Monkeys) - Jigokudani Park, Nagano, Japan

It was February, and it was VERY cold. And, the Japanese macaques thought they'd hang out at the onsen (hot springs). Therefore, so did we. What a great time watching their personalities, their aggressions, their expressions, and their play. Everything was fair game at the onsen and everyone was present from the juveniles to the elders.

This was taken on a trip meant solely for photography. After spending time on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, we returned to Tokyo on a domestic flight followed by a bullet train trip to Nagano. From there, we took a bus and ended the trip to the onsen with a hike up the hill to the hotel. There were two trip guides but we arranged the trip through wildlife photographer Jon Cornforth.

For more information: Cornforth Tours, Jigokudani Park, Japanese macaque, onsen