The Japanese Macaques at Nagano's Jigokudani hot springs have become famous for their winter visits to the spa. All throughout the colder months one can visit and see them enjoying a relaxing and warming soak in the hot water as the entire valley lies beneath a deep blanket of snow. Jigokudani is also close to some of Japans best skiing locations like Hakuba, home to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. So, when you go to Nagano to take in the world class skiing, make sure to make a side trip to visit Jigokudani and its unique hot-spring-loving monkeys.

Photo: Jeff Laitila