David Weber of Japundit has an informative piece about snow monkeys today. Here’s a hilarious snippet:
Although the snow monkeys possess such wonderful and thoughtful eyes, visitors should NOT stare directly into them. Staring is seen as an act of an aggression and a visitor looking to commune with the spirits of nature may suddenly find their nose communing with the sharp teeth of an enraged snow monkey.
Beware!
There’s a great story about monkeys and jellyfish, too. And check out all the great pictures!
It’s apparently quite a trip to make it to Jigokudani (“Hell’s Valley”), a monkey hot spring park near Nagano, but it sounds like it would be worth it. (Yes, even worth a 30 minute hike through snow! I mean, you get to take a bath with monkeys!)