Japan Snow Monkeys

In 2020 and 2023 I worked on some photography projects in Japan with their national tourism organisation, as well as running some photography tours. For part of the tours we visit an area known for its wild snow monkeys, both the very popular mountain location in the old onsen, but also another area close by where nobody visits.

I personally prefer photographing animals in the wild, not captivity, the snow monkeys at Jigokudani are wild in that they have no fences or any restrictions in their movements, but they have become habituated with people and being fed over winter. Which is why I have sought out other places near by where the monkeys are more "wild" and less used to having humans around.

Here are some photos from my time exploring and photographing the monkeys.

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All photos posted are copyright Paul Pichugin unless otherwise stated.