We planned 2 nights in the small town of Yamanouchi at an onsen ryokan, JUST to visit the snow monkey park.  

Yamanouchi,  the Onsen town closest to the Snow Monkey Park.   Onsen means it sits on top of hot springs!  Many lodgings, hotels and ryokans here are onsens, having a natural Hot springs connection. like ours. The views from town are spectacular!

Around the little town

Our onsen, Rakki Onsen Ryokan, and our ryokan tatami mat room.

Our Onsen offered free transportation to the park in the morning and we took the city bus back about noon.   The walk from our drop off point was a great path through the woods! 

The snow monkeys are fed and protected in an area with their own onsen! 

This baby loved Cheryl’s shoe laces

Mom was not happy when baby strayed too far.   She would just grab him up in her arms and take him back!  Here she is grooming him

Emmett gets great pics by getting down on their level!

What a fun day!  Emmett will have some great pics on the FB group.