A struggle to rise and ready myself, camera and clothing for the day before a 7am breakfast. Meanwhile the dedicated bus driver shovels out the bus. It’s good to be the king.
The word breakfast understates the culinary experience that is meant to strengthen us for today’s struggle to obtain the perfect photo while battling hordes of unsympathetic tourists.
A short drive saw us at the start of the monkey walk. 1.6km of a snowy track through a winter landscape of cypress, oak, maple and more. When I say snow, it’s not the light Australian dusting, but metres of dry pillowy stuff loading down branches of the trees. In Japanese gardens branches are often supported to prevent breaks.
The hot springs that the macaques frequent to luxuriate in have been enhanced for the benefit of both monkey and human. They are also attracted with small amounts of grain or sweet potato, but otherwise forage is their normal diet of roots, bark and greens. As a result the snow monkeys are very comfortable around humans, treating them with the same disdain as a cat would.
They certainly seem to enjoy their warm soaks, achieving a Zen calm as they relax.
Back in Yudanaka a wander through the urban, snowclad streets revealed new views around every corner. The Buddhist shrine to Kannon, the deity of Mercy on top of a hill approached by 112 stone steps was one of these. Amongst other things apart from the 25 meter tall bronze statue are a large bell to ring for peace, and an eternal flame lit in Hiroshima.
Lest we forget the innocent or humanity.





