HAKODATE, Hokkaido -- The annual "Monkey Mountain Hot Spring" event at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden here has been drawing increasing foreign visitor numbers in recent years.

The December to early May event has always been a popular attraction, but now foreigners make up about half the visitors in wintertime, when the Japanese macaques can be seen soaking in the hot springs.

The facility houses 36 of the primates. Although some monkeys dislike the hot spring, about 80% enjoy taking a dip. The spring water is sourced from Yunokawa Onsen hot spring and is mixed with additional water to maintain a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius. Monkeys that stay in the hot spring all day may lose their fur, so they often return to the warm water after feeling cold.

Director Ichiro Suzuki commented, "It seems very unusual for people from abroad to see monkeys in hot springs, and they're enjoying it."

(Japanese original by Taichi Kaizuka, Hokkaido Photo and Video Department)