Jigokudani Onsen

What it is

• A designated Japanese Hot Spring Heritage site located along the Yokoyu River.
• The location where author Matsutani Miyoko wrote the story Taro the Dragon Boy.
• Home to the Korakukan, the only inn currently operating at the site.
• A natural area famous for wild Japanese macaques that bathe in the water.

What to see

• The Shibu Jigokudani Fountain, which is a designated national natural monument.
• Four indoor baths and two mixed outdoor baths at the local inn.
• A dedicated bathing pool for wild monkeys at the nearby monkey park.
• The surrounding valley landscape and the flowing Yokoyu River.

When to go

• Winter season, though the local parking lot is closed during this time.

Getting there

• A thirty minute walk is required to reach the site from Kanbayashi Onsen.
• The Jigokudani Monkey Park is located a five minute walk from the hot spring.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.