In Arashiyama that is one of the best sightseeing spots in Kyoto, there is a sightseeing spot very popular among foreign tourists. That is “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”.
Because you can see wild Japanese monkeys very close, and also because you can feed them with your hands, there crowded everyday with many tourists!
And because how to feed them with hands is a bit unusual, it is also a hot topic.
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Play Around with Wild Monkeys Close in Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
The sightseeing spot representing Kyoto is Togetsukyo Bridge of Arashiyama.
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is located on a small mountain that stands behind it.
Here, about 120 wild Japanese monkeys are fed, and you can play with the Japanese monkeys very close.
This is a popular sightseeing spot among not only Japanese tourists but also foreign tourists.
Especially, the experience that you can feed Japanese monkeys with your hands at a rest house located in an observation deck square on the top of a mountain is very popular!
OMG! It Is a Human Who Is in a Cage!
Feeding monkeys can be said the main event of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, but it is a bit different.
Surprisingly, a human who feeds monkeys enters to a hut, and gives food to monkeys from inside.
Yes, with a sense as if a human was put in a cage, you may feel a bit strange.
Although it may be seen as bizarre looking from the outside, it is from a safety reason.
Partners are undoubtedly wild animals.
This scheme is taken in order to play safely keeping firmly the rules.
On the other hand, you can understand that even monkeys are not scary at all if you keep the rules.
As if a tongue of chameleon, monkeys move very quickly their hands to get foods.
Monkey request feed to us like the photo above.
If you get too close to the fence, the bag of feed will be taken by monkey, so be careful.
A monkey with a large body often receives feed more kindly.
If you are really scared, try putting feed on the table.
Then, monkeys will bring it.
You will be very excited with such monkeys’ moves.
By the way, you can buy the feed that you can give to monkeys in this hut.
Bringing feeds is prohibited, and this is the only hut that you can give them feed from.
Why Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is Popular Among Foreigners?
All the monkeys of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama are individually identified, but they are anyway groups of wilds.
Although they live close to humans, they live as usual.
You may feel unconsciously smiling when you look at monkeys that are full of family love, just as same as of humans.
By the way, the reason why here is popular among foreign tourists is because most of groups of monkeys live only in warm area to tropical zones.
Although actually it is not very known among Japanese, the primate other than human beings that live on the earth at the farthest north is the Japanese monkey.
In another word, as a monkey cannot be seen the areas including in Europe and in North America, the monkeys are treated as very rare existence.
For such a reason, not only this Arashiyama, but also every other spot in Japan, where monkeys can be seen, is very popular among foreigners.
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is Actually a Superb View Spot
image by commons.wikimedia.orgPoints to see of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama are not only monkeys.
When you reach the square on the top of mountain, you will be surprised.
The superb view of overlooking Kyoto city streets welcomes you there.
In and around of Arashiyama and Sagano areas, here is the best number 1 superb view spot.
It is not overstatement that even if one can say that satisfied with enjoying just this landscape.
Even if you visit just to enjoy this landscape, you will probably never complain.
Also, a bit below under the top of mountain, there is a square where fulfilled with playing equipment, including long slopes and rope swings.
A family with kids can enjoy here.
Going to the Top of Mountain of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama for Exercise
It is very close from Togetsukyo of Arashiyama to an entrance of “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”, and you will find it after you cross Togetsukyo Bridge and turn to the right.
After you paid admission fee at the entrance, you will hike lightly for about 20 minutes in abundant nature.
There are some sections that may be a bit hard for the one who does not usually exercise, but there are some resting areas during the trail.
Also, there are some spots where you can learn about monkeys while you are climbing, so these ease your hard feeling of hiking.
You may learn knowledge that will make you say unintentionally “Oh! I didn’t know!”.
Let’s Go to the World’s Approved Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
In “Japan’s most popular Tourist Destination 2014” announced by “TripAdvisor”, the world’s famous online review for travel, “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama” made the great achievement that it was proudly ranked in at the 14th place.
Some of us tend to hold an image that monkeys “do bad things”.
But, please try playing around with monkeys at here “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”.
I think that you can re-confirm that “Huh? Were monkeys such cute?”
