#jidokudani yaen koen

[alexin-wonderlust]

Day 6 - Japan Blog - 12 February 2024 Snow Monkeys and Karaoke

We had to be up super early today because we are going on a tour to see SNOW!! This desert babe has never seen snow (in its pure form, only from a snow machine... and thats NOT FAIR!!) so Im going to find some today. Still feeling sick as a dog, but I loaded up on the warm lemon/honey beverages. Theyre SO GOOD! My throat is happy. The bus tour takes us to Nagano. First we stopped at a restaurant for our "Beef Sukiyaki" meal. It was very -- push you here, take you there. Kind of tour. It wasnt very friendly or fun. It was just business... Sigh. Beer Sukiyaki was yum! We bought some regional snacks to enhoy while we are on the bus -- because Ive done these things before and being without snacks is the WORST! The guy behind us passed out because it was super hot on the bus and no fresh air. Oops! When we got to the Snow Monkey Park (Jidokundani Yaen Koen) there was a trek to be done -- and yes! SNOW!! I was actually quite scared I wouldnt be able to do the hike because Im so shit at hiking. Ben wore his new boots which caused him issues, and I feel on my butt at the end -- but it was doable. About 45 mins to the top and then another 10/15 mins to get to the onsen. I accidentally saw a Japanese dudes penis, because he was in the hotel onsen on site and he was just WALKING AROUND NAKED. You know, normal things at a tourist sight. I made a joke about this to the lady when she said there were men bathing "I thought we werent allowed to bring food -- this guy here with his MEAT hanging out" she giggled because Im an idiot. The monkeys are hilarious and cute and weird. There is a lot of drama going on with them, and screaming and chasing around the snow. But they literally just hang out in the natural hot springs and dont really care about the 100 people taking their photos. They also have a live stream too! https://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam2/video_en.php After only being with the monkeys for about 20 mins, we were bussed to another "tourist trap" location with no food, but instead "snow igloos" where we got a beer and walked across the road instead to play in the fluffy snow. There was one stop on the way back to a roadhouse type place which had food, souveniers, a convenience store, local produce and dagashi to take home as gifts. We got burgers and other snacks to keep us going back to shinjuku.

And since we are already here; Shinjuku again. I needed something for my tattoo, so we went to Donki for a shop, and then found a karaoke place with food and drinks. (Instead of going to a bar...!) The food was dismal and the karaoke was terrible but it made for a fun experience. If you were there with a group of people, it would be awesome.

#japan #japan travel #alexinwonderlust #travel #japan february 2024 #snow monkeys #nagano #shinjuku #bennyandthelex #travel blog #snow monkey #japanese snow monkey #snow monkey japan #snow monkey onsen #jidokudani #shibuya #tokyo #karaoke #jidokudani yaen koen