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Don't you love cute monkeys? Don't you love it when cute monkeys do things like people do?
C'mon. Admit it. You know you do.

Good, now that you've admitted it you should sign up for this sweet trip to world famous Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture. There you can see monkeys bathing in their own private onsen, playing around in the snow, and in general being cute and delightful.

http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/top/english.html - check out the live monkey cam!

Monkey appetite satiated, the caravan will head down in to Nagano city to see the famous Zenkoji temple. Many of your schools probably have class trips out to it - that's how big of a deal it is! Temple appetite satiated, the caravan will return safely home.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenkoji

To keep costs down, this will be a driving event - which means we need drivers! If you want to go and have a car, speak up as soon as possible! If we don't have drivers, we can't go! (or at least we can't go for cheap) Don't worry, it's not hard to get to and the roads aren't dangerous. It's just a bit up the expressway into Nagano.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the trip, it'll be cost variable as well. Expect around 10,000 (but probably less) for the whole day out - this will include meals, admission to the park, plus gas, tolls, and the all important omiyage. Depending on how full your car load is and how cheap you are, you might be able to spend half that.

Trip Details:
Things to bring: warm clothing (the onsen is in the mountains, there's going to be snow), shoes that you don't care much about (they're probably going to get dirty...hiking boots may be more ideal, but if you don't have any or don't feel like wearing them, I have it on good authority that trainers/running shoes will suffice [A JET last year wore sandals there - not recommended]), camera, cash, snacks (for you NOT for the monkeys!)

Don't bring: anything in a plastic bag. The monkeys love them and will just tear them out of your hands, or at least tear the bag through and dump all its contents on the ground.

Meet at Takasaki station at 7:30a on February 11th.

Please e-mail gajetpres[at]gmail.com if you'd like to come along and we'll organize car pools. Drivers! Please, please, please! RSVP via comments section or on facebook by February 4th.