The Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is home to about 130 Japanese macaques, which are a native species still found in the wild around Japan today. You can go for a walk along a path through the woods to see them in a natural environment, watch the feeding time which clearly shows the troop hierarchy, or buy snacks to feed to the animals at a special, screened location.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
The park is open from 9 am, and closing times vary from 4 pm in the winter to 5 pm in the summer. It may be closed in inclement weather. The entrance fees are ¥550 for visitors 15 and older, ¥250 for 4-15 years old, and free for under 4 years old. Snacks for the monkeys are ¥100 per bag, and you can not give them food brought in from outside. The facilities also include both Japanese and western style toilets, and some snacks and drinks are available for visitors.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
The closest station is the Hankyu Arashiyama Station, the closest JR station is Saga-Arashiyama. For information about Iwatayama Monkey Park, including rules for behavior around wild monkeys and details about popular individuals: http://www.kmpi.co.jp/English/english.htm
From Hankyu Arashiyama Station (5 minutes)
・Exit the station and turn left immediately
・Continue walking until you reach the street at the foot of the mountain
・Turn right into the street and continue for about a few minutes until you reach the Togetsu-kobashi Bridge
・Do not cross the bridge. Walk along the waterway for 20 metres until you reach the stone stairs on the left side
・The entrance of the park is at the top of the stairs
From JR station Saga-Arashiyama station (15 minutes)
・Exit the station on the left side and walk down the street until you reach the T-junction 10 metres short of the Randen railway crossing
・Turn right at the T-junction and go straight to the end of the street
・Turn left into Nagatsuji Street and continue walking toward the river. Randen Arashiyama station can be found on the left side of the street
・Walk over the Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Togetsu-kobashi Bridge
・Turn right into the waterway and continue for 20 metres until you reach the stone stairs on the left side
・The entrance of the park is at the top of the stairs
Mother and Baby Japanese Macaque Monkeys at Mount Arashiyama
Bus Directions
The nearest bus station is Arashiyama Koen between Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Togetsu-kobashi Bridge. Arashiyama station is on the other side of the Oi River as the park. Service number 28 Kyoto city bus arrives at the Arashiyama Koen. Number 11 and 93 stops at Arashiyama.
photos by:
{Amy_Jane} &
Andrea Schaffer,
Richard.Fisher,
Andrea Schaffer
