Newborn SNOW MONKEYS

Although I have visited the Snow Monkey Park many times, this was the first time to see real cute fragile newborns; just cannot resist taking photos and videos of these lovely animals.

Spring is when female monkeys give birth to new life!

Baby carried in its mother's bosom

It's time to nurse!

Matsushiro castle and Tenkyu-ji temple in Nagano, Japan in full bloom

somei yoshino at Matsushiro caslte

Flowers, Flowers!
The height of spring has finally come here in Nagano city, Nagano, Japan!

The cherries are blossoming late this year by a week or two throughout Japan. It was just last week when I saw so many tourists on sightseeing tour buses (featuring sakura blossom viewing) greatly disappointed to find the cherry blossoms still in bud.

In and around the city of Nagano, which is well-known as the host city of the Nagano Winter Olympic Games 1998, almost every kind of spring blossoms and flowers are in all glory. Sakura, or cherry blossoms, apricot, magnolia, dandelion, shepherd's purse flower all come into bloom!


Matsushiro-caltle in Nagano city, Nagano, Japan

the gate of Matsushiro castle

Founded by a renowned feudal lord, TAKEDA Shingen, around 1560  as he fought  fierce battles with UESUGI Kenshin for control of the northern Nagano area. After Shingen's death, lordship of the castle changed hands several times until 1622 when SANADA Nobuyuki was transferred from Ueda caltle by the Tokugawa shogunate. The castle buildings were dismantled during the Meiji restoration as most of other castles in Japan. The gates and walls you see today have been renovated or reconstructed faithfully based on the old records.http://www.nagano-cvb.or.jp/english/excursions.html

Tenkyu-ji temple in Matsushiro, Nagano city

Across the Chikuma (the longest river in Japan) is located Tenkyu-ji temple. It is a small temple where the soul and ashes of Shingen's faithful younger brother, TAKEDA Tenkyu Nobushige, reposes.

statue of huge Enma (Yama; the King of Hell) 

Nobushige sleeps here

Enma-do

Long-awaited Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, will take place this weekend, I bet!!

"Monkeys, Monkeys, Everywhere!" Best Snow Monkey shots this winter

Monkeys, monkeys, everywhere.

Snow Monkeys in pairs--
"Mother and Baby"

"Friends always together"

Snow Monkeys grooming--
"Well-Cared-For Child Monkey"

Bathing in a hot spring, onsen--
" So many Monkeys bathing together!"

Wise-looking Monkeys--
" Deep in thoughts "

People happy watching the Snow Monkeys
" Worth visiting!"

Since 1964, the Snow Monkey Park, the official name of which is Jigokudani yaen-koen, has been visited and loved by millions of people from all over the world. As a place where the interesting life of the Japanese Macaques can be observed nearby, and as a place of unique snow monkeys bathing in natural hot spring (Onsen) , Jigokudani Yaenkoen is just so popular both home and abroad even after the March 11th.




My fellow tour guides and I have conducted Snow Monkey Tours almost every week for more than three months. We tried very hard to successfully cope with the task. Cheerful smiles and happy faces of our guests were our best reward!

The Snow Monkey park will have another lovely season; from late April or May, you will be able to see tiny little nowborns carried in their mothers' arms. There will be no snow on the path to the park anymore. Enjoy a wonderful day in Nagano!