The monkeys are wild animals, meaning they are not kept in cages and are free to return to the mountain whenever they choose.
The macaques are organized into strictly hierarchical troops, labeled alphabetically such as Troop B and Troop C.
Staff members use a loudspeaker system to call specific monkey troops down from the mountain during feeding times.
The park was established in 1953 to protect the macaques and prevent them from damaging local agricultural crops.
A 'leader' or 'alpha' monkey maintains order within the troop, and their identity is often tracked and noted by park staff.
The macaques have developed a unique behavior of walking through the legs of visitors, which is permitted as long as humans remain still.
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a wild monkey habitat located on the border of Oita City and Beppu, housing over 1,000 Japanese macaques. Unlike traditional zoos, the monkeys live in their natural environment on the mountain and roam freely through the feeding area. The park organizes the macaques into several distinct social troops that frequent the site at different times. Visitors walk up a designated path to an open-air observation area where the monkeys interact in plain view. Staff members perform regular feeding sessions to draw the monkeys down from the forest. The site is designated as a protected area to ensure the macaques remain in their native habitat. Educational signage provides information on the troop hierarchy and social dynamics of the resident macaques.
The central feeding plaza, where monkeys congregate in high numbers during scheduled food distributions.
Do not make direct eye contact with the monkeys, as this is interpreted as a sign of aggression.
Keep all food items and plastic bags completely out of sight, as the monkeys are highly skilled at snatching them.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the path from the entrance to the monkey observation area involves a noticeable incline.
Attempting to pet or feed the monkeys directly, which can lead to aggressive defensive behavior from the animals.
Do not touch, feed, or tease the monkeys; maintain a respectful distance and avoid crouching near them.
