The Sleeping World: Soaking in Hot Springs with a Snow Monkey

By: Mumble Media, Audible Sleep

Narrated by: Cynthia Kimola

Wind down by escaping into nature. Part soundscape and part bedtime story, The Sleeping World is an intimate journey through ecologies around the world.

Sixty years ago in the snowy valleys of Japan, a young snow monkey discovered a hotel’s hot spring, and others in her troop soon joined her. Now, generations of families have built their routines around their own hot springs. In this episode, we follow a young snow monkey as her troop leaps from rock to rock toward their favorite activity in winter: a long steamy soak.

This is the world in its natural state, defined by seasons, routines, and cycles. By the time this snow monkey is ready to relax in the steamy water, you’ll be ready to relax too.

Produced by Audible and Mumble Media
Written by Liz Mak
Narrated by Cynthia Kimola
Executive Producers for Mumble Media: Cara Ehlenfeldt and Jake Young
Executive Producer for Audible: Anna Stitt
Sound Design and Mix: Mumble Media
The Mumble Media team is Jaymeson Catsouphes, Cara Ehlenfeldt, Liz Mak, Lee Mengistu, David Tatasciore, Renée Vargas, Jake Young, and Sharif Youssef
Japanese Macaque Consultant: Michael Huffman
Fact-Checker: Andrea López-Cruzado
Head of Creative Development: Kate Navin
Head of Audible Originals, North America: Marshall Lewy
Chief Content Officer: Rachel Ghiazza

©2025 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2026 Audible Originals, LLC.