jigokudani macaque

In the northern Japanese Alps lies a famous area called Jigokudani, or "Hell's Valley" in English, so named for the steam rising from hot water pools located along the valley. Of course, it looks nothing like Hell and is quite a peaceful place occupied by birds and trees, and the occasional tourist. This place is quite famous as being a unique home for the Japanese macaque, or "snow monkey," due to the availability of an onsen (hotspring) at the end of the valley. Belying the many photos of jigokudani, it is actually quite a small place, and in fact, there is only one small hotspring. It is like most famous places in Japan, surprisingly diminutive but amazing nonetheless. The monkeys are...well...monkeys, and mostly chill picking bugs off of each others back, oblivious to other tourists. But if you try and take too many pictures, they might get a little mad.