When visiting Arashiyama, besides the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, I also highly recommend making time for Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama! About 120 Japanese macaques live at the top of the mountain. They roam freely in a natural environment, and you can see how their lives change with the seasons.
I visited around noon on a weekday, and unexpectedly, it wasn’t too crowded. There were also quite a few Western visitors, so it seems to be a spot that’s popular with international travelers. After entering the monkey park, the most important thing is to respect the monkeys’ space. Signs there also remind visitors: simply put, don’t provoke them. Just be a quiet passerby. When the monkeys are chasing or playing with each other, try not to get close or interfere. As long as you keep a safe distance, you can observe them without worry.
It’s an uphill walk from the entrance to the top of the mountain. Once you arrive, you can watch the monkeys up close and also look out over the Arashiyama area. Overall, it’s quite an interesting experience.
