Takasakiyama Monkey Park Overview
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden (Takasakiyama Shizen Dobutsuen) sits at the foot of Mount Takasaki, a 620-meter forested mountain on the coastal border between Oita city and Beppu, in Oita Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s most unusual wildlife experiences — not a zoo in any conventional sense, but a place where wild Japanese macaques descend freely from the mountain on their own terms, while visitors watch from an open, unfenced gathering area.
The park’s origins trace back to the early 1950s, when macaques were causing significant damage to local farms and raiding neighborhood trash cans. A local official began luring the monkeys away from residential areas by feeding them on the mountain, and in 1953 the park opened formally. The arrangement stuck: the macaques now regard Mount Takasaki as their territory, and they continue to come down to the feeding area voluntarily each day.
The mountain is home to approximately 1,000 wild Japanese macaques divided into two separate troops — Troop B and Troop C. The two troops take turns visiting the gathering area, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, making each troop several hundred animals strong. These are among the largest single troops of wild monkeys in the world. At the main feeding area, wheat is distributed every 30 minutes, and potatoes are given to each troop once daily in what is known as the potato-catching race — a highlight for visitors of all ages. A daily “challenge time” event also demonstrates the macaques’ problem-solving abilities. Park wardens know many individual monkeys by face and name, and share lively commentary on the animals’ personalities and social dynamics.
There are no enclosures between visitors and the macaques. Visitors are asked not to feed, touch, stare at or make sudden movements toward the animals. The monkeys do occasionally approach and have been known to tug at bags. The park grounds also include the Monkey Museum, covering the history of the site and the macaques’ social behavior, as well as a gift shop and the Monkey Chaya teahouse, which serves the park’s signature sea salt soft serve ice cream. The adjacent Umitamago Aquarium, directly across from the park entrance, is a popular combination visit.
Best Times To Visit Takasakiyama Monkey Park
The park is open year-round. Winter is particularly appealing: the macaques huddle together for warmth, mothers carry young on their backs and the social dynamics of the troop are especially easy to observe. Spring brings births and playful juveniles. The daily schedule of which troop descends in the morning versus the afternoon alternates, so checking the current schedule on the park’s official website before visiting helps plan arrival timing. Early morning on weekdays offers the quietest conditions with the fewest crowds.