Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

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Once you have purchased some monkey snacks, you can feed the monkeys from the comfort of the rest area

Come face to face with un-caged wild monkeys

From long ago, Arashiyama has been noted for its scenic beauty. And, on Mt. Iwatayama, one of the Arashiyama range, what started out as feeding the local monkeys turned into the opening of a monkey park in 1957 on 6,000 square meters of mountain land, with the monkeys now accustomed to being fed by humans in a process of building up trust between the monkeys and people, which works so well that neither fear the other, and peaceful trust reigns in the park today.
At present, there are 130 wild Japanese macaque monkeys enjoying freedom in the park. And, visitors can observe those lives without the hindrance of fences or walls. Moreover, feed can be purchased at the park shop and fed to the monkeys. While, if the timing is right, visitors can witness staff reaffirming trust with the monkeys by feeding them. And, a visit in spring increases the chance of seeing newborn baby monkeys.
The park also affords a brilliant view of Kyoto city, right across to the mountains on the eastern side.
If you are in the Arashiyama area, why not drop in!