Through watching humans soaking in the local hot springs, the monkeys soon starting to copy their behavior and became the only monkeys in the world known to enjoy bathing in onsens. Female snow monkeys use the hot spring more often in winter than in spring which reduced stress hormone levels in those females. Trading social status with the benefits from a hot spring has proven advantageous for conserving energy by reducing the loss of body heat and lowering stress levels. The snow monkeys love to soak themselves in the cold and heavy snow of winter, so the best time to visit is in the winter when there is snow on the ground. There is also a hinoki (Japanese cypress), and a granite hot spring for you to choose from.

Source: Forbes January 19, 2019 18:33 UTC