Kyoto Sights

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

#2 of 340 things to do in Kyoto

#6 of 1790 things to do in Japan

3 reviews | Write a review

Good for: hiking, animals, family with kids, autumn

Not good for: avoiding tourist crowds

  • Address
    • Genrokuzan-chō 8 Nishikyō-ku Arashiyama
  • Transport
    • 10min walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Station, Keifuku Arashiyama line
  • Phone
    • 075 861 1616
  • Price
    • adult ¥520, child ¥160-420
  • Hours
    • 9am-5pm 15 Mar-15 Nov, to 4pm 16 Nov-14 Mar

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Lonely Planet review for Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

If you want to spend some quality time with our simian cousins or entertain restless children, this park might fit the bill. Just be warned: it’s a steep climb up the hill to get to the monkeys. If it’s a hot day, you’re going to be drenched by the time you get to the spot where they gather. Though it is common to spot wild monkeys in the nearby mountains, here you can encounter them at a close distance and enjoy watching the playful creatures frolic about. It makes for an excellent photo opportunity, not only of the monkeys but also of the panoramic view over Kyoto. Refreshingly, it is the animals who are free to roam while the humans who feed them are caged in a box! You enter the park near the south side of Tōgetsu-kyō, through the orange torii of Ichitani-jinja. Buy your tickets from the machine to the left of the shrine at the top of the steps.

 

Traveller reviews for Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (3)

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    Had a great time feeding the monkeys

    nat_twinkle recommends this,

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    Great trip, but be sure to explore all of Arashiyama too!

    themomohime recommends this,

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    ****Suggestion: Make Arashiyama a day trip: But a ticket for the Sagano Romantic Train before going to the monkey park, then climb up the mountain. The best time to go is in FALL, as Arashiyama is famous for its autumn colors. Be sure to visit the local temples, the bamboo grove near Tenryuji Temple and shops as well.****

    November 28th Trip Diary:

    Arashiyama Monkey Park is famous for the roughly 200 monkeys that wander the top of the mountain, as over time, they have grown used to humans. The monkeys are also famous for being fairly aggressive, and it is suggested that you not let your children walk around without supervision, or stare at the monkeys for any extended length of time.

    The walk up the mountain was gorgeous, if a bit steep (or I could just be out of shape). Because it was fall, the colors looked like acrylic paint spotted all over a canvas. Completely unreal. Until this fall, I had been certain that all of the photos I had seen of Kyoto in fall had some sort of saturation/contrast filter going on to make the colors stand out more, but now I find that is absolutely not the case. They really are -that- vivid.

    We bought food to feed the monkeys at the top of the hill, where my friend was promptly threatened by one of the monkeys on the roof, before we decided to watch the monkeys from inside the safe house for a while.

    After we had our fill of monkeys, we headed back down the mountain to go get some lunch. We got some delicious osukinomiyaki and candy apples! The osukinomiyaki (roughly translated as "fry-whatever-you-like!") was absolutely delicious. Every single bite was heaven. There was egg and beef in addition to the usual sauce and cabbage. The candy apples were huge, and not prepared quite like their American cousins, so they took well over 45 minutes to consume. Still, they were super delicious, though I am in possession of a terribly strong sweet tooth.

    After lunch, we headed back into town to swing by the Tenryuji Temple, which is another famous temple in Arashiyama- However, since both of us were feeling pretty tapped out on temples at the moment, we just walked the rim of the temple before heading to the bamboo forest. For one reason or other, I can’t seem to find the real name for this bamboo forest, but it is something not to be missed if you go to Arashiyama. If you have ever seen House of Flying Daggers and remember the fight scene in the bamboo forest, this forest is pretty much a replica.

    There were a bunch of merchants along the path, so my friend and I stopped to buy postcards drawn by a local artist, and then these really awesome dragonfly toys that balance on your finger. I bought one for my girlfriend, since she wasn’t able to come with us, before taking my friend through the rest of the forest.

    Around this time, our feet were tired, and it was about time for our (Sagano Romantic Train "Torokko" ride, so we headed back to the station. It was just as good the second time as it was the first. In the dark, we watched as gold and amber leaves lit up by spotlights on the ground rushed by us, while the dark of the tunnels completed the overall feeling. It was really fun, and I think my friend enjoyed herself too. We caught the JR line at the last station to head back home. While walking back to our houses, we stopped to eat crepes- a perfect end to the day.

    Good for: hiking, animals, family with kids, autumn

    Not good for: avoiding tourist crowds

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    The park was small but enjoyed seeing the monkeys so close.

    chseiji recommends this,

    It was fascinating to watch the "monkey keeper" yell and see the monkeys appear from the surrounding trees. You can observe the monkeys closely as they eat. The hike was relatively long and steep and the park was small. However, the experience was interesting enough to recommend.

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