The
Arashiyama Monkey Park lies in the mountains just to the west of
Kyoto and is home to some 130 Japanese Monkeys, also known as Snow
Monkeys or Japanese Macaques. They are the most northern living
non-human primate. Researchers have been tracking this troop since 1957 and have named each monkey and know it's age and lineage. Technically the monkeys are
wild as they live and forage out on the mountain, but they are also
fed by the park staff, as well as by tourists like us who can't
resist buying little bags of cut-up apple or peanuts. Cheetos are
discouraged. We're not to touch the monkeys but they can grab the
little morsels from our hands as long as we're in the feeding
station. We're also not supposed to stare them in the eyes, which
they apparently find quite upsetting. Evidently no one is concerned
about encouraging begging among the monkeys. Interestingly, they are
the only beggars we've seen since we've come to Japan.
Don't feel sorry for the monkeys - they are actually outside the cage; the humans are inside.
Deborah handing out apple chunks.
The feeding station.
Grooming
Double Grooming
From atop the Arashiyama Monkey Park, a nice view looking down on Kyoto.
Waiting for a bus?
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