The Iwatayama monkey park is one of the few places around the Kansai area where people can go and see monkey’s in their natural habitat and not enclosed in a zoo. It’s located in Arashiyama, near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and because of this is a very popular tourist destination.
The 120 or so monkeys seen here are the Japanese Macaque monkey, the same species of monkey famously seen relaxing in a hot spring in Nagano Prefecture.
At Iwatayama Monkey Park, you begin your journey at the base of a hill. You will then trek up a high, with a moderate incline, mostly entirely up the mountain. Near the top is where you will more than likely see these monkeys in the trees or walking around. At the top of the walking path, there is a small hut where you can purchase food for the monkey, and feed them through the safety of the building.
At the feeding area, you will be met with a beautiful view of the city, overlooking Arashiyama, the Katsura River, and the rest of Kyoto.
If you intend on feeding the monkeys while visiting the Iwatayama Monkey Park, please only feed the monkeys in the designated feeding area, and with food purchased at the park. Refrain from eating outside food as well. These monkeys are wild and if you are eating food outside of the feeding areas, will probably not end well for you. It’s also important that you try to not put anything important down while you are in the park, keep everything you bring into the park on your person. The monkeys have been known to take stuff off guests if given the opportunity.
When our staff visited, a tourist took off their hat, and placed it next to them while the looked over the city at the viewing area. About 10 seconds later, they were chasing a monkey trying to get their hat back.
Another key thing to remember is to not touch, or not stare at the monkeys/don’t hold eye contact with them, as this can be seen as a sign of aggression, and could result in the monkeys becoming less than friendly.
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Hours & Admission
- Hours: 9:00am-4:30pm (5:00pm in Spring and Summer)
- 600JPY
Access
The Monkey park is easily accessible as there is a seemingly endless amount of train lines which run to area around the park.
It is recommended that you begin your day in Arashiyama by arriving at JR Saga-Arashiyama station, about 25 minutes from Kyoto Station,costing 240JPY on the train. From there, we recommend exploring Tenryu-ji Temple, then the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and then finally heading across the Katsura River before heading to the Iwatayama Moneky Park.
Where To Stay near Iwatayama Monkey Park
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