Now · Thu 5 Nov · 18:14 JST

Arashiyama Monkey Park (Iwatayama)

Is the park open today?

Entry has ended for today

Tomorrow it opens at 9:00 unless the official site says otherwise. Check this page again in the morning.

Checked at 18:00 Japan time from the official site.

Crowd estimate
Shown while the park is open. How we estimate
Admission
¥800 adults (16 and over)
¥400 children (4 to 15). Free for 3 and under.
Payment
Cash only
Japanese yen only. Bring cash before you reach the entrance.
Hours
9:00–16:00
The summit area stays open until 16:30.
Closed
January 1
Also on irregular days and in heavy rain, heavy snow or typhoons.

Unofficial visitor guide to Iwatayama, the monkey park above Arashiyama in Kyoto. This site is not run by the park. Today's status from the official site, the fee, the hours and what the climb is like.

Weather in Kyoto

Rain
Chance of rain up to 60% today. Cloudy, 20.1°C in Kyoto at 17:50.
Weather: Japan Meteorological Agency, updated 18:00.

The park closes in heavy rain, heavy snow or typhoons.

The climb

How hard is the walk up?

It's a real climb, not a stroll. Expect 20–30 minutes uphill to the summit.

What the climb is like
  1. 01

    Entrance

    Pay in cash. There are toilets here and at the summit, and none in between.

  2. 02

    120 steps

    The climb starts with stairs.

  3. 03

    Uphill path

    After the stairs, a maintained path climbs more gently.

  4. 04

    Summit, 160 m

    A rest hut, the monkeys and views over Kyoto.

No lockers at the park. Suitcases, carry-on cases and strollers aren't recommended.

If you're visiting with a baby, a carrier is the easier option on the stairs.

Luggage

Where should you leave your suitcase?

There are no lockers at the park. It depends on where you're staying.

Your options for luggage

Staying in Kyoto

Leave it at your hotel before you come.

Staying in Osaka and flying home from Kansai Airport

Bag2Gate stores your bags in Osaka and sends them to the Kansai Airport counter, so you can spend your last days without them. This guide is run by Bag2Gate.

See how Bag2Gate works

Getting there

Where is the entrance?

From the south side of Togetsukyo Bridge, walk about 20 m upstream along the river and enter the grounds of Ichitani Munakata Shrine. The park entrance is on the left.

Hankyu Arashiyama StationAbout 7 minutes on foot
Randen Arashiyama StationAbout 10 minutes on foot
JR Saga-Arashiyama StationAbout 15 minutes on foot
Arashiyama Koen bus stopAbout 5 minutes on foot

There is no parking at the park.

Nearby

Can you see the bamboo grove too?

Yes. Walking the bamboo grove path is free on normal days. Only special events there charge a fee.

FAQ

Common questions

Is it open in the rain?

The park closes in heavy rain, heavy snow, typhoons and other severe weather. Check the status at the top of this page.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

No. Buy your ticket at the entrance with cash, then enter within 15 minutes of buying it.

Can I bring a suitcase or stroller?

We don't recommend it. The park has no lockers and the climb starts with 120 steps.

Can I feed or touch the monkeys?

Don't touch them or stare into their eyes, and stay 2 m away. You can buy a ¥100 bag of food at the summit rest hut and feed them from inside it. Bringing your own food for them is not allowed.

Hours and status come from the official site. The official site notes that prices listed on other websites may be wrong.