Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Arashiyama’s tourist spot, Togetsukyo Bridge. Walk roughly 20m upstream from there into the grounds of Ichitani Munakata Shrine, and you will find the entrance to Arashiyama Monkey Park, Iwatayama. Currently, almost 120 monkeys live in the wild, which you can view throughout the year.

From the entrance to the monkey mountain, it about a 20-min hike over the 120-step stairs into a mild slope. The path is maintained well and safe for children to hike as well. Immerse yourself in the tranquil forest air and head for the monkey mountain. At the rest area 160m-high, you can see the entire Kyoto City, and even Kyoto Tower on a clear day.

At the top of the mountain, feed is sold for 100 yen/bag. It is possible to fee monkeys within the rest area, but handing it out directly to them is prohibited. Put the food on the feeding board. Feeding outside the rest area and bringing food from outside into the rest area are also prohibited.

Also at the mountain top, there are long slide, horizontal bars, see-saws, swings etc. for children and adults alike. Pretend to be kids and play as you wish.

Monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama are wild. If you try to pet, they may get mad at you. Gazing eye to eye is especially taken as a threat, and they don’t like to be approached with a camera or smartphone. Make sure to keep more than 2m and take photos from a proper distance. You cannot touch the monkeys, but enjoy how they peacefully roam in nature.