Monkey Onsen and Zenkoji!

Submitted by GAJET Pres on Thu, 2010/01/14 - 21:20.
2010/02/11 - 00:00
2010/02/11 - 23:59
Event Information:

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.

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monkey park

Submitted by yllwsmrf on Mon, 2010/01/25 - 17:53.

Unfortunately I can't join this trip, but I would highly recommend it to those who haven't been. I was just at the monkey park last week and there were lots of monkeys and lots of snow on the ground. Some things to keep in mind:

Its a 20-30 minute walk on a snowy forest path from the parking lot to the monkey park, so light hiking boots are definitely recommended. Once I wore tennis shoes and they were fine albeit slippery. Running shoes would be sufficient if thats all you got, but I'd imagine they'd be cold and your feet might get wet. For the drivers, there may be snow on the ground in Yamanouchi so snow tires are recommended if you've got them.

Considering Zenkokuji, I would definitely recommend bringing along some warm socks especially if you will enter the temple and its underground passage to search for the "key to paradise". Its freezing down there in the winter if you are wearing thin socks. And don't be one of those idiots who uses their cellphone light to search for the key. You'll never reach enlightenment that way.

Here's some more info on the monkey park:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html

and Zenkoji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6001.html

GAJET Pres's picture

DRIVERS NEEDED, PLEASE HELP!

Submitted by GAJET Pres on Wed, 2010/02/03 - 11:58.

Hello all!
I'm really looking forward to this event (despite the early meeting time), however, we are lacking in drivers and vehicles.
WE NEED DRIVERS (and vehicles), PLEASE!!!!!
Going by shinkansen, then local train or bus and then taxi is possible, but not so cost effective.
IF you know someone with a car, convince them they're missing out by NOT seeing the monkeys!:)

THANKS!
and future drivers, thank you!

Brooke Brown
GAJET Pres 2009/10

Monkeys are very funny. When

Submitted by riverkawai (not verified) on Thu, 2010/02/11 - 17:33.

Monkeys are very funny. When I visit the zoo I used to spend lot of time outside their cage. I gave them banana and other foods and enjoyed their activities.

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