Come face to face with a Japanese Macaque (Photo: Alexander Schimmeck )

Iwatayama Monkey Park

Feed, walk with snow monkeys year round

Come face to face with a Japanese Macaque (Photo: Alexander Schimmeck )
Victoria Vlisides   - 3 min read

Don’t stare into the monkeys’ eyes.

It's sound advice before visiting Kyoto’s monkey park: A mountainside where I hiked among wild monkeys, merely a visitor to their home. After hearing about Monkey Park Iwatayama (sometimes it has an Arashiyama in the name), it was an attraction I had to see while in Kyoto in April.

Monkeys caught on film

The park is located in Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s busiest tourist areas, and is easily accessible by train. It boasts about 120 snow monkeys, which are also called Japanese Macaque. They are native to Japan, and, yes, these are the type of monkeys seen in iconic photos in which they’re bathing at hot springs in winter.

While the monkeys are human-fed (even tourists have a chance to feed them), they are still wild, the park assures. The “don’t stare” and "don’t touch" warnings should be followed, though, I witnessed the friendlier monkeys come just centimeters away from visitors.

Enjoy not only the monkeys, but also the spectacular view at Monkey Park Iwatayama.
Enjoy not only the monkeys, but also the spectacular view at Monkey Park Iwatayama.

Entering the park, I immediately spotted a monkey scrambling in the tall grass just meters away. I’d not seen this animal anywhere but a zoo. At first, being so close was a bit nerve-wracking, but it was also refreshing to see these creatures free from a glass cage. The active ones would swing from tree branches and run up the mountainside. The hike itself is fairly easy and takes about 30 minutes.

Following the path, at the top is a view of the city, mountains, and river, with a bright blue sky draped over it all on a sunny day. After fawning over the view (Japan really hypes up -- and does not disappoint -- on that “view”), there is a chance to feed the monkeys.

They're eager to gobble up apple chunks tourists can buy and offer through the safety of an enclosed area. They grab the food right out of your hand, as they hang on the outside of the caged-in window area.

A visit will take about 1-2 hours, and visitors can enter from 9 am–4:30 pm. /5 pm. from 15th March to 30 September. During the Autumn and Winter periods, the park is open from 9 am–4 pm, while the Mountaintop is open from 9 am–4:30 pm.

Getting there

The park is a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station and a 15-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. You can also ride the bus, which usually takes about 20 minutes longer compared to the train when coming from Kyoto Station. The nearest bus station is Arashiyama Koen, according to the park’s website.

Total travel time from Kyoto Station ranges from 35 to 55 minutes, depending on the mode of transportation. The park’s entrance is a short walk up from Iwatayama’s (Iwata mountain’s) base. I saw a small sign for it after crossing the Oi River.

Recommend scenic route:

  • Take a 15-minute train from JR Kyoto Station to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (¥240 one way)
  • Walk down the scenic streets over the bridge of the Oi River to get to the Monkey Park, which is on the opposite side of the river.
  • Stroll through Arashiyama Koen park along the way.
Victoria Vlisides

Victoria Vlisides @victoria.vlisides

Trained journalist who's not yet jaded. Can't get enough of meeting new people, the view, cheap travel, cherry-blossom-flavored food, dinner&drinks. Painfully addicted to Japan's gochya-gochya machines. If you're the type of person to try something new vs. something you know you like, we'll get a...