Monkey Park Iwatayama
Monkey Park Iwatayama
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto is home to some of the city's best eccentricities. Kyoto's Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period, where old homes have been transformed into tea houses and eateries. Pleasure boats drift down the riverbank, under wooden bridges that beckon nature lovers to hiking trails and botanical walks. The area's famously tall bamboo groves, monkey park, and impressive vistas during the Hanami cherry blossom viewing season mean that it is busiest in warmer months, though also gorgeous in the fall, when the mountains and hills along the banks turn multi-colored. Historic and engaging, even the rail cars in Western Kyoto seek to exemplify its traditional nature and scenic beauty. Many people, including natives, come to visit the 1,200 rakan statues at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, which is still in use as a religious site.
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4.5
2,739 reviews
Excellent
1,597
Very good
846
Average
235
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44
Terrible
17
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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karenpammy2016
San Francisco, CA1,328 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
Initially we thought that there would not be enough time to schedule a visit to the Monkey Park Iwatayama in Kyoto as our agenda was filled for the five days we were in Kyoto. Since we were unsuccessful to have any monkey sightings at the world famous Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano, we decided to squeeze in sometime to visit this Monkey Park and it turned out to be a wonderful decision.
This Monkey Park is easily accessible once you cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge- make a right turn once you arrive at the end and follow the signs. Make sure you do check online to make sure they are open as I understand that they do occasionally close if it is raining or if it is too wet from a recent storm. Prepare for at least a 20-25 minute walk up hill. Along the way up, you will encounter many informative fact signs about the monkeys and before you know it, the monkeys are seen alongside the trail itself!
Once you reach the top, you can observe many Japanese monkeys roaming around the pond and the grounds. There were even several sightings of moms with babies on their backs.
You may go into the indoor feeding station hut where you may purchase food to feed the monkeys- either package of apples or peanuts for 100 yen per pack- only cash accepted. You may hand feed the monkeys through the barbed wire fence and they are very gentle to grab it from you. You will encounter many hungry and desperate monkeys seeking for food and in a split second, all the food in the package will be consumed right in front of you!
There are great views of Kyoto from the top of Monkey Park also-- make sure you sit on the huge yellow banana for a memorable photo! Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours here, you won't leave disappointed for sure. Also, make sure you have cash for the 600 yen admission per person. They only accept cash payment! Also, I believe that if you are looking for the eki stamp, you will need to inquire /obtain it here when you pay for your admission.
This Monkey Park is easily accessible once you cross the Togetsu-kyo Bridge- make a right turn once you arrive at the end and follow the signs. Make sure you do check online to make sure they are open as I understand that they do occasionally close if it is raining or if it is too wet from a recent storm. Prepare for at least a 20-25 minute walk up hill. Along the way up, you will encounter many informative fact signs about the monkeys and before you know it, the monkeys are seen alongside the trail itself!
Once you reach the top, you can observe many Japanese monkeys roaming around the pond and the grounds. There were even several sightings of moms with babies on their backs.
You may go into the indoor feeding station hut where you may purchase food to feed the monkeys- either package of apples or peanuts for 100 yen per pack- only cash accepted. You may hand feed the monkeys through the barbed wire fence and they are very gentle to grab it from you. You will encounter many hungry and desperate monkeys seeking for food and in a split second, all the food in the package will be consumed right in front of you!
There are great views of Kyoto from the top of Monkey Park also-- make sure you sit on the huge yellow banana for a memorable photo! Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours here, you won't leave disappointed for sure. Also, make sure you have cash for the 600 yen admission per person. They only accept cash payment! Also, I believe that if you are looking for the eki stamp, you will need to inquire /obtain it here when you pay for your admission.
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
akashi-rokuro
17,684 contributions
July 2024 • Family
At the entrance beside Ichinoya Munakata Shrine, after paying an admission fee of 600 yen, you will just keep climbing the mountain for about 20 minutes to the area where the monkeys are at an altitude of 160 meters. It was such a hot day that I was drenched in sweat. In the area with the monkeys, they lived freely. Natural monkeys and zoo monkeys get excited when they see humans, but the monkeys here do what they love, not caring if humans are around. The monkey, still holding the baby, walked right in front of me. He could feed them through a wire-mesh, but it felt strange because the human was inside the wire-mesh, and the monkey was outside it. There are few places where you can see free-roaming monkeys in a safe condition, so it was a very valuable experience.
Automatically translated
Written 3 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ebchabtwd
Leighton Buzzard, UK35 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
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"Spectacular Views and an Amazing Experience!"
Monkey Park Iwatayama was absolutely brilliant! The trek up the mountain is part of the experience – it’s a bit of a climb, but that’s the whole point, as it leads you to the top where you can see the monkeys in their natural habitat. The views from up there are spectacular, stretching for miles across Kyoto, making the effort well worth it.
The entry fee was very affordable at just 600 yen, and you can buy food for the monkeys for only 100 yen each. We spent a total of 1,400 yen for the entire experience, which is fantastic value for the unforgettable memories and panoramic scenery you get. Highly recommend it if you're in Kyoto – it’s a unique, budget-friendly adventure with stunning views and plenty of photo opportunities!
Written 8 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TassieTravellers99
Launceston, Australia3,398 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Monkey park entrance is located near the Togetsukyo Bridge. It is a steep and continuous climb up the mountain with a total elevation gain of around 160 metres. It is a hard hike made all the more difficult by how popular it is. At the top was a rewarding view over Kyoto and made all the more special by monkeys strolling about. The feeding house is a good setup. You can buy some fruit or nuts and feed the monkeys from inside the feeding house. We were the ones caged in and the monkeys came up to the bars for the offerings. It was a really good experience
Written 28 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AĂŻdy C
Narbonne, France247 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
In Arashiyama, within walking distance of the bamboo forest, the kimono forest and the tenryu-ji temple, you will have to climb for about twenty minutes under the trees of the hill to arrive in an area where you will be sure to see the monkeys as they are used to tourists and come to get the food that you have to buy on site. But be careful, to feed them you will have to enter a cage because they remain free. Don't try to give it to them outside of this area because the guards will stop you right away (for your safety), the monkeys flock as soon as they sense the opportunity, my son paid the price, it's impressive.
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lewis
Hartlepool, UK83 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The climb to the top may be exhausting but benches are provided along the route. We were sad to see a lot of side-paths/routes were closed off, but the monkeys themselves were great. Highly recommend buying the apple from the shop at the top - it's cheap and the monkeys go wild for it!!
Written 30 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NFca
Carterville, IL266 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Very nice outdoor activity for anyone although the climb is a bit strenuous. There are several resting benches along the way and it seems like you’ll never get there, but it is well worth it. Lots of snow monkeys mingling about amongst the visitors. If your interested in feeding, there is a small charge for food and it must be dispensed from behind a wire screen for the safety of the feeding visitors. Nice view of the city below. There is a small entrance fee to make the trek to the top. I recommend at least two hours for this activity. Easy walk from either train station in Arashiyama.
Written 10 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissPerkyAK
Palmer,AK405 contributions
June 2024 • Family
A quick 20 minute-ish hike all uphill and monkeys are everywhere. If you have mobility issues, this one is possible, but it will be difficult, however it is easier than the Snow Monkeys in Nagano; if you're debating between the two sights.
Kids had a great time it cost 100 yen for a bag of peanut or apple slices to feed the monkeys through a cage. The younger monkeys seemed to prefer the apple slices. Spents about an hour here total.
Kids had a great time it cost 100 yen for a bag of peanut or apple slices to feed the monkeys through a cage. The younger monkeys seemed to prefer the apple slices. Spents about an hour here total.
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie T
37 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
My partner and I came here at opening time in the morning. It was quite a trek up to get to the park. Not ideal for pushchairs or people with mobility issues. It was 600 yen each which is very reasonable. When we reached the top there was an amazing view and the monkeys just potter about doing their own thing. There are no cages which is nice and you can see the monkeys playing, grooming and chilling out. They did not bother anybody and there are many warnings not to carry food, go within 2 metres or stare at the monkeys in the eyes. Everybody was respectful and there were keepers closely watching. I highly recommend it if you would like to see the famous macaques. I believe you can feed them but I did not partake in this.
Written 20 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
649001
Springfield365 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
You will have to climb a mountain to see monkeys. The hike is not too difficult, and there are benches to rest on the way. Once on the top, you will see macaques. They are walking, running, jumping, playing, and fighting. There are moms and babies. Some are on the ground; some are on the roof, some are on the trees.
You can buy food and feed monkeys through the cage (you are inside the cage in the building, and monkeys are roaming freely outside). The monkeys are very gentle using their small fingers to take peanuts or bananas through the cage rods.
Allow at least 2.5 hours.
You can buy food and feed monkeys through the cage (you are inside the cage in the building, and monkeys are roaming freely outside). The monkeys are very gentle using their small fingers to take peanuts or bananas through the cage rods.
Allow at least 2.5 hours.
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is it from the Monkey Park to the Sagano Romantic Train station and which station is closest? The Saga station or the Arashiyama station?
Written 22 May 2024
Hi , 04856 HHke these one of the place have to visit when you in Japan , the best train station is get off at Arashiyama Station , short walk to the gate and nice comfortable hike to the mountains , the monkeys in the park very friendly not like in China or Bali very wild , they also have the park house you can buy some foods for the monkey , do not look them directly in their eyes , respect them like your pet , give them some space , I have to tell you what happened to me when my last visit in Jan and very surprised there is one BIG monkey , soon as it saw me , keep following me around , when I sit down , it just sit so close to me and keep looking at me , what a Kodak moment ! you well come read my reviews on Tripadvisor about Japan , they all upgrade in Jan 2024 ! have fun ! hope you can meet my monkey friend there !
Written 22 May 2024
Have any visitors contracted herpes complex B from the monkeys scratching at kyoto monkeys parks?
Written 1 May 2023
If I can’t make the steep climb up the mountain with my family what would be a fun way to spend an hour or so while I wait for them to come down?
Written 22 February 2023
The town and river is right below the monkey park. You could easily have a meal, enjoy a coffee or tea, walk along the riverside, shop, sit on a bench and people watch or even rent a boat.... The incline is quite steep and in warmer weather it is killer! Even the kids were out of sorts in the dead of summer doing it. We returned this Fall and they were commenting that they can't believe they did the climb in the humidity of July!
Written 22 February 2023
Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm that the monkey park itself (walking up to see and feed the monekys) is open right now? On the website there is a bright yellow banner saying "due to shortage of staff all excursions are temporarily suspended" and it no longer shows the price to enter the park. I am planning on going next week and dont want to hike all the way over there and then not be able to get in. Thanks!
Written 29 August 2019
Craig
Sydney, Australia
Hi, I am planning to travel to Kyoto for two half days in a couple of weeks time with my family including two children 8 & 10. We were looking to go to Nagano separately but currently thinking Iwatayama may be a better option and therefore give us an extra day during our stay in Tokyo (or have a day trip elsewhere from there).
What I am wondering is on one of the half days we were going to spend in Kyoto we were going to go to the Bamboo Forest. From what I have read about 20 - 30 minutes here is probably enough. I was thinking we may be able to walk out the South end of the Forest and across the bridge and then up the hill hike to the monkey park. When I look on Google Maps it appears to indicate a long trek of approx 6km (heading far south of the park and then looping back. Is this really the way you get there or is google maps not aware of the trail.
If the walking path from the bamboo forest is shorter could someone advise approx distance and the timeframe it would take to walk.
Appreciate any feedback
Written 6 July 2019
I would guess the distance from Monkey Park entrance to Bamboo Forest is about 1/2 mile. All level surface and very easy. The hard part is ascending to the hill to the actual Monkey Park.
Written 7 July 2019
I can't say that I've ever literally walked up a staircase for 20 minutes, but this is what it is if you can imagine that. It's doable, but not super easy. I mean I'm in shape and I breathed a couple times. It's so worth it though!
Written 28 June 2019
I visited today and it was amazing. My question of the day is...why don’t the monkeys travel down the mountain?
Written 30 November 2018
The sometimes do wander down but are brought/lured back up. There is a reliable source of food at the park and it is a motivator to remain in place. Monkey troops wander in search of food and this troop does not run out.
Written 18 December 2018
I am not sure about New Year's day as it is a National Holiday. However, it is likely open on the other days weather permitting. Kyoto has become a tourist mecca so it can be quite crowded even so we loved the entire area of Arishyama. Enjoy!
Written 29 November 2018
Bonjour,
Savez-vous si le parc a ré-ouvert depuis le passage du typhon Jebi ?
Merci, Nadège
Written 11 September 2018
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