Takasakiyama Monkey Park

What to know

Takasakiyama Monkey Park (高崎山自然動物園, Takasakiyama Shizen Dōbutsuen) is a monkey reserve at the foot of Mount Takasaki, a 628-meter peak along the coast between Beppu and Oita City. The mountain is home to about 1,500 wild Japanese macaques that roam freely across its steep, forested slopes. Visitors can get close to the monkeys during feeding times and watch them run, play, or simply sit in the sun grooming each other.

The monkeys on Mount Takasaki are split into two separate troops of roughly 700 to 800 individuals each, making them among the largest monkey troops in the world. The troops take turns coming down to the park—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. While at the park, they are fed by wardens and spend their time playing and resting, seemingly oblivious to human visitors. However, although they appear tame, visitors should not touch or feed the monkeys, and should avoid direct eye contact.

The park opened in 1952 as both a tourist attraction and a way to manage the local monkey population, which was increasingly coming into conflict with residents and farmers. Today, the monkeys are regularly fed by park wardens to keep them away from fields and residential areas. Feeding times are popular, with smaller feedings held hourly and larger ones several times a day.

Most visitors arrive by car or bus at the large parking lot next to the Umitamago Aquarium. From there, a pedestrian bridge crosses the main road to the monkey park, whose entrance gate is a five-minute walk from the parking lot. It is then another five-minute uphill walk to the main area where most monkeys gather. Visitors can skip the uphill walk by taking a short monorail ride (110 yen round trip).

From central Beppu Station, take bus number AS60 or AS61 (from Beppu Station and Beppu Kitahama) or AS70 or AS71 (from Beppu Kitahama) bound for Oita Station (大分駅) and get off at Takasakiyama (高崎山). The entrance is a short walk from the bus stop. The one-way bus ride takes ten minutes and costs 280 yen. Buses run about once per hour.

The "Monkey Marine Ticket" costs 3,300 yen and includes a round trip from Beppu or Oita Station to the monkey park, plus admission to both the monkey park and the nearby Umitamago Aquarium. The ticket is sold by Oita Kotsu and can be purchased at the Beppu Station tourist office or the Oita Station Bus Center.