Experience the Magic of Japan's Snow Monkey Jiyugaoka Park : A unique look at the northern most monkeys on planet earth. I have been now four times with camera in hand, and each time there are surprises and behaviors I had not previously witnessed. To be honest my first trip was me just feeling after a decade in Japan with camera in hand it was high time to get some shots of these primates. However I quickly found that the beauty was very real, beyond what most quirky photos online show. These are not circus animals meant to entertain people that "accidentally drop their phone". They are beautiful creatures that choose to live in a harsh but beautiful and rugged mountain habbitat. Being from the NW and working on a mountain multiple seasons, I feel a special connection. Through all their social complexity and fights, there are moments when it seems clear to me, that they are enjoying the same beautiful landscape that I am, in peaceful bliss. Join me as I recount a remarkable two days of photography in late January 2023, during an exceptionally cold week. The weather posed its challenges—many buses out of Tokyo were canceled due to heavy snow, and my own train became stuck on icy tracks just as the sun rose. While my dreams of being the first in the park were dashed, the silver lining was that I arrived at Japan's famous snow monkey park to find it surprisingly empty. A Rare Encounter with Nature With fewer visitors, the snow monkeys roamed freely, playfully chasing each other along the paths and across the narrow bridge just by my feet. One unforgettable moment occurred when a large male monkey leaped onto my lens for a brief encounter, leaving only a footprint behind—a reminder of this unique connection with nature. Capturing Unforgettable Moments These two days were incredibly rewarding, filled with opportunities to capture stunning images of the monkeys in their natural habitat. The serene atmosphere allowed for a deeper appreciation of the beauty around me, and I left with memories and photographs that truly encapsulated the essence of this extraordinary experience. Looking Ahead I’m already planning to return this coming winter for another adventure at the snow monkey park. Stay tuned for updates as I continue to explore and capture the magic of Japan's landscapes and wildlife. Explore my gallery to discover the beauty of these moments and join me on this incredible journey!
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During my last trip in early March 2025, I captured this amazing moment between what I presumed to be the mother and a young daughter snow monkey. The youngster clearly was having a bad day adnd the mother was embracing her tightly and rocking her back and forth exactly as a human mother would do. This embraced lasted at least 1 hour as I actually left them and came back to them at least once since my rear got frozen sitting on the near by path to capture this moment. Because I was using a 250mm lens I was able to give them plenty of space as they were hiding out in a shallow cave as this was also the height of the snow storm that day, In fact the snow you see on their fur is being blown into the cave. The detail on their fur in this medium format image is amazing, as is the light in their eyes This is one of my absolute favorite captures to date!