Meet with wild monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park in Kyoto!
Kyoto, the major touristic destination, has lots to offer. Beside cultural heritages, it boasts rich nature not far from the hustle and bustle of the town. Here introduced is the place with the view and the wild monkeys!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
About the Park
Speaking of Japanese Macaques, you'll think of Snow Monkeys in Nagano prefecture. There is a monkey park in Kyoto as well. It originally started as the field work site of the Kyoto University. Approximately 120 wild monkeys and other wild animals or birds live in the 6000 m2 premises. Unlike a zoo, they are roaming freely and you can observe them at close distance.
Address: 8, Arashiyama Genrokuzan-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi (Google Map)
Location and General Information
The park locates nearby famous Togetsukyo Bridge and 5 minutes-walk from the Arashiyama station of Hankyu or Keifuku lines. Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (-16:00 in winter; November 1 to March 14) Closed: Open every day year-round except bad weather such as heavy rain or snow Admission: 550yen for adult, 250yen for children
Access- Hike up a hill
The entrance is close to the stations. But the park itself is situated on the summit area of Mt. Iwateyama. To reach main attractions on the top of hill, it takes about 20 minutes on foot. If you dressed properly in walking shoes, it's a pleasant hike. It's better to bring something to drink during hot summer.
Panoramic View
The top of the mountain at the altitude of 160 meters allows you to overlook a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto. Without anything to obstruct, you can see Kyoto Tower or Mt. Hiei at the far east. It's splendid if you visit the park in spring when the cherry trees are in full bloom or in autumn with autumn foliage.
Attraction
The highlight of the visit is feeding the monkeys by hand. They sell the feed for 100yen and you can watch monkeys at very close distance. It's a great chance to take a shot of expressive monkeys from cute small babies to grown-ups fighting over the food.
About monkeys
The monkeys are fed by the park staff three times a day. This is the good opportunity to see the monkeys at most in a relaxed mood. As wild they are, the monkeys normally roam freely and don't care for visitors. All monkeys have their own names given by the park stuff. It means that they know well each other.
Rules
Don't stare at monkeys. If you do, they will consider you as an enemy. Don't touch the monkeys. You'll think you show familiarity, but non-tamed animal don't consider in that way. Don't show food or feed them except at the feeding space. They get to rob visitors of their possessions or attack them. And stay away from mothers with babies. They are aggressive to protect their kids. All same as human beings.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
About the author
