Iwatayama Monkey Park
Arashiyama, Kyoto
- Daily
- 9:00 to 16:00
The summit stays open to 16:30. It closes early if the monkeys go back up the mountain, in very bad weather and on 1 January, and has occasional irregular closing days.
Source: monkeypark.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
About 120 wild Japanese macaques live on Mount Iwata, just across the river from central Arashiyama. A 20-minute climb, starting with 120 steps, takes you up to the rest hut at 160 m, where the monkeys hang around and the whole city spreads out below. On a clear day you can pick out Kyoto Tower.
Insider tip
Entry is ¥800 for 16 and over and ¥400 for ages 4 to 15, cash only. You can feed the monkeys only from inside the hut (¥100 a bag), and you can't bring your own food for them. The entrance is in the grounds of Ichitani Munakata Shrine, about 20 m upstream from the south end of Togetsukyo.
What's on near Iwatayama Monkey Park
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Iwatayama Monkey Park, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Spring Jusan-mairi Rite at Horin-ji
春の十三まいり
Time 09:00 to 16:00 Station Arashiyama Station (Hankyu), 5 min walk
Thirteen-year-olds visit Horin-ji to pray to Kokuzo Bosatsu for wisdom and to ward off misfortune, with prayer registration 09:00 to 16:00.
Nnh, Public domain Performing Arts Prayer Service at Horin-ji
芸能上達祈願祭
Time From 13:00 Station Arashiyama Station (Hankyu), 5 min walk
Horin-ji, guardian of wisdom and skills, holds a service from 13:00 for people praying to improve in the arts.
Nnh, Public domain Arashiyama Lantern Floating
嵐山灯籠流し
Time 19:00 to 21:00 Station Arashiyama (Hankyu), 5 min walk
Lanterns for the dead are floated on the Oi River from Nakanoshima Park on the night of the Okuribi, and the Toriigata bonfire can be seen from round Togetsukyo from 20:20. A lantern with a memorial tablet is ¥1,500, staff set it on the water for you, and high or low water can stop the floating.
Mifune Matsuri Boat Festival
三船祭（車折神社）
Time About 13:00 to 14:15 Station Arashiyama-koen bus stop (City Bus 28)
Kurumazaki Shrine recreates a Heian boating party on the river just above Togetsukyo, with a dragon-headed boat, fans floated on the water and bugaku dance from the decks.
Antonio Campoy, CC BY 2.0 Cormorant Fishing at Arashiyama
嵐山の鵜飼
Time 19:00 and 20:00 to 15 Aug, 18:30 and 19:30 from 17 Aug Station Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line)
Fishermen work trained cormorants on the Oi River after dark, and you watch from roofed boats alongside. Shared boats were ¥3,000 for about an hour in 2026, cash only and sold at the pier that evening, with none on 16 August, while meal and private boats are booked online.
Smaller local events nearby
Hari-kuyo needle memorial at Horin-ji Festival
On now, until 8 Dec · Kokuzo Horin-ji, Arashiyama
Worn needles are pushed into konnyaku at 13:00, and a Japanese dance is offered after the service.
Free · Map · Source: Kokuzo Horin-ji · 法輪寺 針供養
Autumn Jusan-mairi at Horin-ji Festival
On now, until 30 Nov · Kokuzo Horin-ji, Arashiyama
Children of age 13 by the old count visit for wisdom from 1 October to 30 November; prayers are taken 9:00 to 16:00 without booking.
Prayer from ¥5,000 per week · Map · Source: Kokuzo Horin-ji · 法輪寺 秋の十三まいり
Nearby
Around Arashiyama
Bamboo at first light, then the maple temples under Mount Ogura
Arashiyama is on Kyoto's north-western edge, where Togetsukyo Bridge crosses the Oi River with wooded hills right behind it. You'll want the bridge, Tenryu-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and so will everyone else. Go early. Then walk north into Sagano. Its temples line the foot of Mount Ogura, and it's quieter at the far end, which Kyoto's official tourism site calls Okusaga.
Arashiyama has 30 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 14 shrines and temples, 4 landmarks, 3 parks and gardens, 2 restaurants, 2 bathhouses, 1 cafe, 1 museum, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop and 1 neighbourhood. Read the Arashiyama guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Iwatayama Monkey Park?
- 61 Arashiyama Nakaoshita-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市西京区嵐山中尾下町61).
- What are the opening hours of Iwatayama Monkey Park?
- Daily 9:00 to 16:00. The summit stays open to 16:30. It closes early if the monkeys go back up the mountain, in very bad weather and on 1 January, and has occasional irregular closing days.
- How do I get to Iwatayama Monkey Park?
- The nearest station is Arashiyama (Hankyu). Iwatayama Monkey Park is in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
- How much does Iwatayama Monkey Park cost?
- Iwatayama Monkey Park is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Iwatayama Monkey Park?
- Plan for 1-2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Iwatayama Monkey Park?
- Clear mornings.
Stay near Iwatayama Monkey Park
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