Snow Monkeys

Winter in Japan must include its most famous primates, the Japanese macaques or Snow Monkeys.  Many Japan Tours include Snow Monkeys as part of the itinerary, but what distinguishes Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) interactions from other tours of Japan?  The answer is simple.  Depth.  Many of the JDS tour leaders visit the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen territory throughout the year and are familiar with individual monkeys in the region going so far as to know ranks and behaviors.

This familiarity and experience with the snow monkeys as photo subjects will help you take amazing photos while you spend several days with the snow monkeys as your subject.  The first day would most likely be spent taking the quintessential photo of the snow monkeys enjoying the soothing waters of the hot springs.  During the following days, the JDS workshop leaders and you will focus on action shots, and this is the part of your tour when your guide’s 20 plus years of photography experience is essential.  Knowing the behaviors means helping you be in precisely the correct location to get a photo of the snow monkeys that National Geographic would consider worthy for one of its internationally famous galleries.

Many tour companies focus exclusively on Hokkaido Tours during winter thinking there is only one gem in the snowy crown of Japan, but we at JDS are here to tell you that if you want to share an in-depth experience you will never forget, you should join the Snow Monkey Winter Tour!