We went to Jigokudani monkey park on the 26 Dec. Taking the train from Tokyo and busfrom Nagano was no problem. However, after the bus dropped us at Kanbayashi Onsen,it was snowing quite heavily and we did not have boots on so we could not get veryfar in the snow. In the end we went back to Yudanaka and did not get to the monkeypark.After the bus dropped us at the petrol kiosk at Kanbayashi onsen, we walked backdown hill looking for the path up the mountain. We saw a sign saying Jigokudanimonkey park on the road pointing towards the right before we reached the NEXT petrolkiosk. Is the footpath to the park before or after this sign?We plan to go again the next time we go to Japan some time next year andwould appreciate if you could help giving us some information on this foot pathleading to the park from the petrol kiosk.Thank youTan B Hong 

Thanks Zeno for very nice tip for trip to Snow Monkey Park. I have to admit that the Park and the valley are really worth to see them. I decided to walk from Shibu onsen to the park and IMHO is the best way how to appreciate the beautiful landscape, river, lot of steam from hot springs and last but not least the mountains. The park itself is amazing. You may "live" among the wild monkeys, shoot lot of tricky photos with young monkeys taking the hot bath. I visited the Monkey park in fall, but I can imagine the amazing atmosphere of winter times and the monkeys playing with snow balls :). I also appreciate the young guard, who was keeping an eye on the tourist in case that somebody would like to touch the monkey. To conclude it is very nice trip. I recommend not to take bus but walk through the beautiful valley and finally have a fun with the monkeys. Warm wishes, Jura.