Jigokudani Hot Spring Korakukan - Shimotakai District

The monkeys were amazing to look at. Bring a camera as these monkeys are extremely photogenic as well. Be prepared to walk a considerable amount of time on a moderately icy path. Feel free to wear what you like as there is an equipment rental place before the hike.

I never thought I would like the experience (I like nice hotels).... I was wrong ! The host was so nice & explained to us the history of his family and the land. The food was amazing! Our room (traditional Japanese) was big and clean. I can easily say, this was the highlight of my trip to Japan. Oh and the scenery... amazing & beautiful.

We came to see to this Ryokan for the monkeys and it delivered way beyond expectations. Monkeys were everywhere! Possibility to use the share the rotenburo with the monkeys makes it a unique place in the world. The hosts were friendly and teach us how to play Go. Food was challenging for a western but we man up :). Have in mind that this is a remote location and certainly not a luxury Ryokan. The onsen water does have a smell. Monkeys have no manners, this mean they do their needs where they want. if you accept that then you will have a once in a lifetime experience.

If you plan to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, it is well worth staying a night or two at this ryokan (traditional Japanese guesthouse). The staff are very warm and friendly, and speak enough English to get by with visitors. The accommodations are traditional Japanese, and quite different from what you may expect in western hotels. The guest rooms have tatami mats on the floor, with a thin futon, small pillow, and comforter for sleeping. It may be quite hard for American tastes. A rice paper sliding door opens onto a balcony with a view. The toilet is shared by all the guests, with urinals, a squat toilet, and a western toilet. Guest stays include dinner and breakfast. The meals are very traditional Japanese cuisine, with raw and cooked fish, shabu shabu, miso soup, Japanese pickles, candied grasshoppers, mushrooms, and more. It is delicious, but may have some unfamiliar flavors, textures, or ingredients for those unfamiliar with the full range of Japanese food. Lunch is available at an added cost, and the soba with veggies and mushrooms is delicious and filling. The highlight of the ryokan are the many onsen (hot spring pools). There is a women-only outdoor onsen, two indoor private or family onsen, an indoor men-only onsen, and an indoor women-only onsen. But the highlight of them all is the large outdoor onsen next to the geyser overlooking the stream. Depending on time of day, it is men-only, women-only, or mixed bathing, and clothing is optional. It’s fine to wear a swimsuit, but be aware that others may not. During the morning hours and evenings hours, when the adjacent monkey park is closed you are likely to find snow monkeys congregating around this onsen. Because the ryokan is so close to the monkey park, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and make it to park just as it opens and beat the crowds, making the experience dramatically more enjoyable. Be aware that the ryokan is located at the top of a 2km unpaved trail from the bus stop and parking lots, so if you stay here, pack light!

Maybe its not that cold yet thats why there's only a few monkeys in the area yet.

You're basically not going to get an experience like this anywhere. Sitting in a hot spring watching monkeys running around whilst you bathe is just amazing. The locale is gorgeous, with a view out over the snow capped hills and the geyser just across the stream. Add to that you can sit in your traditional room with its tatami mats in your yukata sipping green tea and you feeling like you're touching a piece of Japanese history. The Inn itself has been in the same family for over a hundred years. The meals were good and the ingredients well sourced. All that said this place is rustic, you are sleeping on futons on tatami mats and if you've not properly adjusted to the time zone you could be in for a rough night. I probably slept about 4 hours all in all. This place is also pretty pricey for what you're getting. Because of the location there's not much in the way in hot water and you'll find yourself shuffling to the cold shared toilet in the middle of the night. It is all just part of the experience, though.

Outstanding and beautiful location, snow monkeys will be hanging out inches from your window! Rooms are clean and well kept in this rambling old inn circa 1854. Hot springs onsen is amazing. Food is incredible. Family run and super friendly and kind. Cant say enough good things about this place.

I visited this amazing place with my son!! It was an amazing experience! I will never forget it! We bathed with the monkeys in the onsen! The staff was so warm and welcoming!! Amazing! This was one of the most memorable adventures of my life!! We stayed in Tokyo for several days and then took the train and a bus to get there. We then walked through the forest and snow for at least an hour to get to the hotel. The food was so delicious! So many meals, so many courses what an experience!! We visited the monkey park on the property and spent our days hiking around the snowy forest observing the monkeys, taking pictures! Then we would return back to the hotel and soak in the onsen!! I had a fantastic time and if you can get there, do it. It’s well worth the trip!