Takasakiyama Monkey Park

Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is home to approximately 1,500 wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) living in two troops on a forested hillside south of Beppu. Unlike a conventional zoo, the monkeys roam completely freely — visitors walk among them while staff scatter food at regular intervals to draw the troops to open viewing areas. It is important not to touch, feed or make direct eye contact with the monkeys, as this can be interpreted as a threat. A short monorail (¥110) runs up the hillside for those who prefer not to walk. The adjacent Umitamago aquarium can be combined with a Monkey Marine combo ticket for ¥3,300, which includes transport.