Key takeaways
- Entry is ¥800 cash only — paid at the gate, no advance booking possible or needed. No online tickets exist.
- The hike is 20–30 minutes uphill, ~160 m of climb on a well-kept path. Fine in normal trainers; not stroller-friendly.
- 120+ wild Japanese macaques roam free on Mount Iwata. Don’t touch, don’t stare; feeding only in the hut.
- Feed the monkeys inside a cage (humans caged, monkeys outside) — buy a ¥100 bag of apples or peanuts at the summit hut.
- The summit view is panoramic — many say it alone is worth the ¥800. Clearest and quietest in early morning.
- Guided Arashiyama tours ($31–$285) pair the monkey park with the Bamboo Grove and temples. Do both in one morning.
- Spring & early summer (April–July) bring baby monkeys riding on mothers’ backs.
What a guided Arashiyama tour includes
The monkey park, the Bamboo Grove, the insight and what’s in the price — at a glance.
What you’ll see
- 120+ wild Japanese macaques roaming free on Mount Iwata
- The summit clearing with a panoramic view of Kyoto
- The famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (free; most tours visit)
- Tenryū-ji temple gardens and the district’s hidden back streets
What’s included
- Expert local guide (English-speaking on all featured tours)
- Small-group experience (no huge coach tours)
- Timing strategy to avoid crowds and catch the best light
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, instant confirmation
Where the Arashiyama Monkey Park visit goes
The route, stop by stop — here’s what you see, in order.
A typical visit gathers near Togetsukyō Bridge, then follows the entrance path up the 20–30 minute climb through forest to the summit hut, feeds the monkeys, and either continues down to the Bamboo Grove or back the same way.
- Togetsukyō Bridge — The iconic red wooden bridge marking the south entrance to Arashiyama.
- Ichitani-Munakata Shrine gate — At the base of the hill; pay ¥800 (cash) here to enter.
- The 20–30 minute climb — A well-kept dirt-and-steps path up Mount Iwata, about 160 metres of elevation gain.
- Summit clearing & hut — The mountain-top rest area where you feed the monkeys inside a cage; they forage outside.
- The Kyoto panorama — The summit view spans the entire city — the mountain’s main reward.
- Descent to Bamboo Grove — From the park, walk downhill ~15–20 minutes to reach the free Bamboo Grove on the other side of the river.
The whole visit — hike up, feeding, views, hike down — takes 60–90 minutes. Combining the monkey park and Bamboo Grove fills a morning. Guided tours add Tenryū-ji temple and neighbourhood context.
How booking works
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Book the classic Arashiyama walking tour
The best-seller: a small-group morning walk that covers the monkey park, Bamboo Grove, Tenryū-ji temple and the neighbourhood’s quieter streets. 5–5.5 hours, rated 4.9/5.
Which Arashiyama tour is right for you?
Three very different walks. Here’s how they compare.
| Best sellerArashiyama Bamboo Temple, with Monkey or Secret Sake Brewery | Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo, Matcha, Monkeys & Temple Tour | Kyoto to Arashiyama Day Trip — Private & Personalized | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 | $43 | $285 |
| Duration | 5–5.5 hrs | 4 hours | 6 hours |
| Group size | Small | Small | Private |
| What you’ll see | Monkey park, Bamboo Grove, Tenryū-ji, neighbourhood | Monkey park, Bamboo Grove, matcha tasting, Tenryū-ji | Okochi Sanso villa, Bamboo Grove, monkey park, custom route |
| Best for | First-time visitors (full picture) | Culture & food lovers (matcha included) | Special occasions & custom timing |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Book this → | View → | View → |
Photo Gallery
Arashiyama through the lens
The monkeys, the views, the grove and the routes that make the district unforgettable.
Arashiyama guided tours
From the best-seller to the budget option to the private day trip — the walks worth booking.
Best sellerArashiyama Bamboo Temple, with Monkey or Secret Sake Brewery
Top pickKyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo, Matcha, Monkeys & Temple Tour
Best valueKyoto: Arashiyama Unveiled — Bamboo, Temple, Matcha, Monkeys
PrivateKyoto to Arashiyama Day Trip — Private & Personalized
What guests say about Arashiyama tours
Reviews from travellers who booked the tours we feature.
Rafael was relaxing and informative the whole way. The hike to the monkey park was tough in the heat, but absolutely worth it for the monkeys and the forest.
Gabri is superb on Japanese culture. She explained the shrine donations, the kami concept, and made every detail matter. The monkeys were the favourite activity of our entire Japan trip.
Kosuke kept the energy high even in the rain. Educational, patient, lots of history. We skipped the temple queues and got straight to the good bits.
Jack was brilliant on the photos — took us to quiet spots where the backdrop was actually the monkeys and the grove, not a thousand other tourists. No crowds at 7am.
Hidetoshi took us to places we’d never have found. The monkey park and bamboo grove were the absolute highlights, and he was kind and professional the whole day.
Tom knows the quiet paths. He took our group to less-crowded spots where you could actually breathe and watch the monkeys play. Worth it for the timing alone.
Ratings and reviews are the operators’ live GetYourGuide figures. Read our full tour reviews ›
Quick answers before you book
A few things worth knowing so you spend your time enjoying the monkeys and the view, not the logistics.
Do I need to book a tour?
No. The monkey park costs ¥800 (cash at the gate) and you can visit alone anytime. But a guide shows you the quiet paths, times the visit right, and weaves in the Bamboo Grove and temples — which fills a morning.
What’s the catch with entry?
Entry is ¥800 cash only, paid at the gate. The hike is steep (~20–30 min uphill, ~160 m climb). Crowds peak midday; early morning is quieter and the light is better.
Can I feed the monkeys?
Yes, but only inside the summit rest hut — the park’s signature experience: humans in a cage, monkeys outside. Buy a ¥100 bag of apples or peanuts. Outside the hut: don’t touch, don’t stare, don’t offer food.
How long does it take?
About 60–90 minutes just at the park (hike up, feed, view, hike down). Add the Bamboo Grove and you’ll need a morning.
Can’t make these dates?
Browse more available Arashiyama monkey park & bamboo grove tours and find one that fits your schedule — all with instant confirmation and free cancellation.
The monkey park, explained
I’ve been leading walks through Arashiyama since 2014, and I’ve climbed to the monkey park more times than I can count. What I’ve seen change: tourists arrive expecting theme-park animals and online tickets. Neither exists. What’s actually here is worth more — wild macaques, a 160-metre hike with a view that covers Kyoto, and a feeding experience designed from the animals’ point of view, not the visitors’. Here’s what matters before you go.
The money: ¥800 cash, no booking
Entry is ¥800 (adults), ¥400 (children 4–15), under 4 free. Cash only, paid at the gate at the base of the mountain. There are no advance tickets, no online reservations, no skip-the-line options. You cannot book the park itself through us or anyone else. What you can book is a guided Arashiyama walking tour ($31–$285) that includes the park entry as part of a larger route through the Bamboo Grove and temples. The tour price doesn’t cover the ¥800 — that’s separate, paid in cash when you arrive.
The hike: steep but short
The walk from the entrance to the summit clearing is 20–30 minutes uphill, roughly 160 metres of elevation gain, on a well-kept dirt-and-steps path. It’s not stroller-friendly. Fine in normal trainers if you’re used to hills. If you don’t hike much, be warned: it’s steeper than it looks and the heat in summer makes it harder. The descent is easier on the knees but takes the same time. Bring water.
The monkeys: wild, not caged
About 120 Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) live free on the mountain. They’re not in enclosures; they roam as they please and come down to the hut when they want food. Don’t touch them, don’t stare into their eyes (a threat display), don’t crouch near them. Most visitors manage this easily. Early morning (before 9:30 am) brings the most active monkeys and fewer tourists. Afternoons are calmer. April through July brings babies riding on mothers’ backs — the draw for many spring visitors.
The feeding hut: you in the cage
This is the park’s best-known feature and the thing that makes it ethically sound: the hut has a cage built around it, so humans sit inside and monkeys forage outside through the mesh. Buy a ¥100 bag of cut apples or peanuts and feed them directly. The role reversal — you behind bars — is the point. The monkeys control the interaction. You can’t reach out and touch them. It’s safer for everyone. This is the only place feeding happens; outside the hut, all food and plastic bags must be hidden (the monkeys have learned to steal backpacks and smash bags looking for snacks).
The view: the real reward
From the summit clearing, you see across the entire basin of Kyoto — the temples, the rivers, the mountains beyond. Many visitors say the view alone justifies the ¥800. Early morning light is better for photos. Midday haze and crowds peak around 11 am to 3 pm. By 4 pm the park is quieter.
Combining with the Bamboo Grove
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is free, about 15–20 minutes’ walk downhill from the park, on the other side of the river. Doing both takes about 3–4 hours total (monkey park + walk down + grove). Guided tours package them together, add matcha tastings or sake on some versions, and weave in Tenryū-ji temple and the neighbourhood’s smaller shrines. A morning well spent.
The honest downsides
The park is popular, especially late morning. The hike is steep. The summit clearing is crowded midday and the monkeys more aggressive (they’ve learned that crowds = food = opportunity). If you’re injured, pregnant or have mobility issues, the climb is brutal. In summer the sun is relentless. If you go solo without a guide, you might miss the timing strategies that make the visit peaceful.
Which tour to book?
The classic walk ($59, 5–5.5 hours) covers everything: monkey park, Bamboo Grove, Tenryū-ji, and the back streets where locals eat. It’s the best all-rounder. On a budget, the value tour ($31, 4 hours) covers the same ground faster; the matcha tour ($43) adds a tea tasting (good for culture-focused visitors). The private day trip ($285, 6 hours) is custom-paced, often includes lunch and the Okochi Sanso villa — worth it for groups or special occasions. All include the park entry.
The bottom line
If you’re in Arashiyama and you don’t mind the hike, the monkey park delivers: wild animals, a real physical challenge, and a view that takes your breath away. Go early (before 9:30 am), bring water, wear good trainers, and go with a guide if the timing or route matters to you. Prices start at $31; the experience is priceless.
Frequently asked questions
Is Iwatayama Monkey Park the same as the Arashiyama Monkey Park?
Yes — same park, two names. The full official name is Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama: Arashiyama is the Kyoto district, Iwatayama (Mount Iwata) is the hill the monkeys live on. Locals and older guidebooks tend to say “Iwatayama”, newer ones say “Arashiyama Monkey Park”. Either way it’s the same entrance by Togetsukyō Bridge and the same ¥800 cash entry.
Is the Arashiyama Monkey Park worth visiting?
Yes — wild monkeys, a 160-m hike with views, and a unique feeding experience inside a cage make it one of Kyoto’s most distinctive attractions. The summit panorama alone is worth the ¥800 entry. The hike is steep; morning visits are calmer and the light better.
How much does monkey park entry cost?
Entry is ¥800 for adults, ¥400 for children (4–15), cash only, paid at the gate. No advance tickets or reservations exist. Guided Arashiyama tours that include the monkey park start from $31 per person — park entry is separate.
Do I need to book or reserve in advance?
No. The monkey park doesn’t take reservations — just show up with cash. What you can book is a guided Arashiyama walking tour, which includes the park entry and adds the Bamboo Grove and temples.
How long is the walk up to the monkey park?
The climb from the entrance to the summit hut is 20–30 minutes, roughly 160 metres of elevation gain, on a well-kept dirt-and-steps path. Fine in normal trainers; steeper than it looks. Not suitable for strollers.
Can I touch the monkeys?
No — they’re wild animals. The only place to interact with them is inside the summit feeding hut, where you buy a ¥100 bag of apples or peanuts and feed them through the mesh. Outside the hut, keep your distance.
What time does the monkey park open?
Can I visit the Bamboo Grove and monkey park on the same day?
Yes — both take about 2–3 hours total. The Bamboo Grove is free, a ~15–20 minute walk downhill from the park. Guided Arashiyama walks cover both in a morning.
When are the baby monkeys visible?
Spring and early summer (April–July) is baby-monkey season, when infants ride on their mothers’ backs. Monkeys are most active (and feeding is liveliest) in the morning; afternoons are calmer.
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