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Awaji Monkey Center: A Primate Paradise

Observe wild Japanese macaques in their natural habitat at Awaji Monkey Center, a unique wildlife experience on Awaji Island.

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The Awaji Monkey Center, nestled in the Kashiwara Mountains on Awaji Island, offers a unique opportunity to observe approximately 350 wild Japanese macaques in their natural habitat. Established in 1967, the center provides a sanctuary for these primates, allowing visitors to witness their social interactions and behaviors up close.

A brief summary to Awaji Monkey Center

Local tips

  • Visit between December and August for the best chance to see the monkeys, as they may retreat into the mountains during other months.
  • Arrive in the morning, around 9:00 AM, to see the monkeys as they come down from the mountains.
  • Leave snacks and food items in your car, as bringing food into the park is not allowed.
  • Follow the Awaji Monkey Viewing Guidelines: Do not touch the monkeys, get too close, or stare directly at them.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Osaka or Kobe, take a train to Sannomiya Station. From Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe) or Shinki Sannomiya Bus Terminal, take a highway bus to Awaji Island. Alight at Sumoto Bus Center. From there, take a local bus towards the Monkey Center. Check the Awaji Kotsu website for bus schedules. The local bus ride will cost approximately ¥500.

  • Driving

    From the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, take the Seidan-Mihara interchange and drive on National Route 28 for approximately 40 minutes. Follow the signs for the Monkey Center. Parking is available at the center. Note that the road to the center is along the coastline and can be easily missed. Parking fees are approximately ¥500 per day.

  • Ferry and Bus

    From Akashi Port, take the Awaji Jenova Line ferry to Iwaya Port on Awaji Island. The ferry crossing takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥500 for adults. From Iwaya Port, take a local bus towards Sumoto and alight near the Monkey Center. Check the Awaji Kotsu website for bus schedules and fares.

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Discover more about Awaji Monkey Center

Located on the southeastern side of Awaji Island, the Awaji Monkey Center has been open since 1967 and is home to a troop of approximately 350 wild Japanese macaques. These monkeys, also known as Awaji macaques, are known for their gentle and sociable nature compared to other Japanese macaque populations. This allows visitors to walk among the troop and observe their behavior without the monkeys being aggressive. The center was founded to protect the local macaque population by providing them with food, preventing them from raiding local farms. Over the years, the center has become a valuable location for both animal lovers and researchers, studying the behavior and birth records of the Awaji macaques. A visit to the Awaji Monkey Center offers a chance to witness unique social behaviors, such as the monkeys huddling together for warmth in winter, forming a 'saru dango' or monkey dumpling. You might also see the monkeys grooming each other, or even a mother caring for an orphaned infant. Visitors can observe the monkeys up close in the feeding area, where staff provide food and explanations about the monkeys' lives. The monkeys typically come down from the mountains in the morning around 9:00 AM and return in the late afternoon around 5:00 PM. The best time to visit is between December and August, as the monkeys tend to stay in the mountains during September to November in search of food.

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