Have you ever seen wild monkeys?
For Japanese people, especially those living in rural areas like me, encountering monkeys is a common occurrence.
However, globally, wild monkeys are only found in Central and South America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
Therefore, seeing wild monkeys is quite a rare sight worldwide.
Ah, and of course, humans, who are found all over the world, are also part of the monkey family (lol).
Today, let’s talk about Japanese monkeys.
Japanese Monkeys Unique to Japan
The only species of monkeys found in Japan are the Japanese macaques, which are native to Japan (and humans).
Japanese macaques are said to be the northernmost-living wild monkeys in the world.
They inhabit all but four of Japan’s 47 prefectures: Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Nagasaki, and Okinawa.
While you won’t see troops of wild monkeys in major urban areas, they are relatively common in other regions.
Even in my home of Shima Onsen, monkeys that live in the mountains frequently appear in the hot spring town.
You can often spot monkeys during my walking tours or nature guide tours.
Japanese Monkeys as Tourist AttractionsLocation
There are many places across Japan where Japanese macaques are a significant tourist attraction.
Snow Monkeys
For example, at the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, you can see monkeys that have the habit of bathing in hot springs, introduced to the world as “snow monkeys.”
Tourists from around the globe come to see these monkeys soaking in hot springs amidst the snow.
Northernmost Monkeys
Among the northernmost-living wild monkeys in the world are those in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture.
Monkeys living in the snow create a rare and picturesque sight.
Takasakiyama
At Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden in Oita Prefecture, you can observe large troops of wild Japanese macaques.
Monkey Performances
Japan has a long history of “sarumawashi,” or monkey performances, where monkeys are trained to perform tricks for audiences.
While there is debate about this practice from an animal welfare perspective, places like the Nikko Saru Gundan in Tochigi Prefecture still offer venues where you can watch these performances.
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