The zoo is located at the base of Mt. Takasaki, 628 meters high, and is adjacent to the Umitamago aquarium.
It was opened in 1953 and has been popular among tourists for nearly 70 years as a natural zoological garden where you can observe wild monkeys in their natural habitat.
Currently, there are two groups of Japanese macaques, troop B and troop C. It is entertaining to observe them at the monkey gathering place, where curious little monkeys may come to touch tourists, parents and little ones groom each other, or they huddle together to keep them warm during the winter. They delight the visitor with their seasonal appearance.
Amazingly, the zoo employees not only identify the monkeys by their faces, but also name many of them and introduce their characteristics through fun performances. It would be fun to find your favorite monkey and staff member who entertains you the most.
You can stroll up the refreshing boardwalk surrounded by trees from the entrance to the monkey gathering place, or you can also take the monorail called “Sarukko Rail” to get there.
Highlights
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It has been loved by many people since its opening in 1953 as one of Oita City’s most popular tourist attractions.
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Wild Japanese macaques emerge from the mountains in groups, and you can observe them up close as they spend their time in the park.
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At the monkey gathering place, wheat is fed once every 30 minutes, and potatoes are fed twice a day (once each for troops B and C).
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At challenge time, which is held once a day, you can see the monkeys’ learning abilities and how intelligent they are.
