The Japanese macaque, or also known as "snow monkeys", are a distinct species of primates that are native to Japan. No other species of primates live in a colder climate than them. Japanese macaques are highly intelligent and also exhibit some unusual behaviors, one of which brought me to Shigakogen in the Nagano prefecture of Japan back in 2011.
Japanese macaques are arguably most well-known for their joy of bathing in local hot springs during the cold, winter months. Here, members come to cleanse themselves along with other members of their troop, and quite simply put, to get out of the cold.
The particular hot spring that we were venturing off to was called Jigokudani. There was a bit of a hike to the springs, as expected, but thanks to a well-travelled path, the journey was trouble free. Hiking through the woods in the dead of winter with temperatures below freezing sounds like a mad idea, but the experience was simply breath-taking. Standing in the middle of a snow-covered forest, catching a glimpse of a smoking chimney in the distance, and the smooth, crisp sensation of fresh, morning air made the experience worth all the "trouble".
As we snaked our way through the mountains, we caught glimpses of monkeys migrating slowly towards the spring. The closer we got to the spring, the more monkeys appeared...
These monkeys sure know how to relax. I observed carefully for some time as monkeys would slowly crawl into the hot spring, careful not to jump in too quickly. A number of them would grab a hold of the stone boundary, close their eyes, and exhale as they entered a nirvana of relaxation. Parents would help clean their child, who is reluctantly laying down as they wanted to play with the other children. The more I observed, the more I realized the beauty of this world. It's a wonder.
