By the time we reached the top of Iwatayama, we saw that we were quite high above it all.

And it’s at this altitude that we find the Iwatayama Monkey Park, a sanctuary for Japanese macaques (or snow monkeys). I’ve met these monkeys before, at Jigokudani near Nagano. This sanctuary might not have hot springs, but the monkeys still run wild and free.

Because the monkeys are wild, humans aren’t allowed to approach, feed or make eye contact with them in the open. So for those who really want to get up close, a cage is provided to keep you safe!

Still it’s all ‘kawaii’ (cute) and it’s interesting how they all interact with each other – and with us.