Stepping onto the hillside for a spring morning at Monkey Park Iwatayama, our family had no idea just how many surprises were waiting. This is our Monkey Park Iwatayama family travel story, an adventure filled with monkey chatter, a few nervous giggles, and the kind of Kyoto monkey experience with children that you only get when you see wild macaques up close. Between playground races and the excitement of feeding monkeys with children in Kyoto, our family day at Arashiyama Monkey Park quickly became one of those memories we’ll never forget.
This post is part of our ongoing Luca & Nico’s Travel Journal series, inspired by our actual adventures, interactions, and discoveries in Japan with kids.
Planning your own visit to Kyoto? Don’t miss our Monkey Park Iwatayama with Kids Guide for everything you need to know, from stroller access to how to get there.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience our Monkey Park Iwatayama family travel story through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
We walked up the hill early in the morning when the weather was just right, not too hot, not too cold. Nico and I walked fast at first, but about halfway up, I spotted a playground and suddenly, the monkeys were forgotten. Nico zipped down the slide and flew on the zipline like he was trying to race a monkey to the top. We could actually hear monkey sounds while playing! When we finally got to the top, I saw monkeys everywhere. Some were climbing trees, some were chasing each other, and a couple were fighting over food. It was kind of wild! There was a place where you could feed them from inside a building, but I felt a bit nervous. Nico jumped right in to feed them. I watched him for a while, then went in, but the monkeys’ little hands reaching through the fence made me a little uncomfortable. I didn’t want to feed them after all, so I left and just watched. Papa and Mama really liked the city view, but I didn’t even look at it much. I just wanted to see what the monkeys would do next, especially the baby monkeys wrestling each other and the way they drank from the pond like little furry people.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
Did you know there’s a playground almost at the top of Monkey Park? I found it! There’s a slide and a zipline, and I pretended I was a monkey swinging through the jungle. Luca said, “Come on, the monkeys are waiting!” but I wanted one more zip. When we finally got up, monkeys were everywhere! You can get food from a little window inside a super busy house and feed them. Their hands come out really fast, like “GIVE ME SNACK!” I loved it! I wanted to keep feeding them forever, but there were so many people waiting. Luca came in but didn’t want to stay. That’s okay, more food for me. My favorite was when two monkeys started chasing each other right past us, like a monkey wrestling match. And one of them even drank out of the pond with its face in the water, so funny! I didn’t want to leave, but Papa said the monkeys needed their space. On the way down, we found some signs with questions on them and tried to read them all before the end.
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge
How many monkeys can you count before you lose track? Bonus challenge: Try to take a photo of a monkey doing something silly, like drinking from the pond, wrestling, or making a funny face. And don’t forget to read as many of the question signs as you can on the way down!
Parent Insight
Sometimes the most memorable moments aren’t the ones you planned. Letting your kids choose their own adventure, even if it means playground detours before the main event, can make the day feel truly theirs. And sometimes, watching quietly from the sidelines is just as meaningful as jumping in.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Monkey Park Iwatayama
- About 120 wild Japanese macaques live in the park year-round, and they roam freely around visitors.
- You can only feed the monkeys from inside the special shelter (never outside!), the monkeys reach through the wire for bits of apple or peanuts.
- The uphill walk takes about 15–20 minutes and is not truly stroller-friendly, but there are plenty of rest spots and a playground for kids along the way.
- Monkeys here are wild, so don’t bring any outside food, and keep your bags zipped up, just in case!
- Spring mornings are one of the best times to visit, as the park is quieter and the monkeys are more active.
Want more family-friendly Kyoto inspiration? Check out our full Kyoto Family Travel Guide for where to stay, how to get around, and the best outdoor activities.
Until Next Time…
We came for the monkeys and ended up playing, laughing, and discovering more than we expected. Next time, maybe we’ll spot a baby monkey swinging from the trees, or just race down that zipline again!
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
