tracing
It's enough fun to just stand a while and watch them going about their business, but you can head inside the hut to grab some peanuts and there'll instantly be no shortage of takers.
outside inside
Monkeys all over, either feverishly grabbing peanuts from the humans inside, or just chilling out.
in threes
Near the top, monkeys everywhere! Because there's a hut where you can feed them, you're guaranteed to see plenty in the vicinity.
monkey mountain
Further up the mountain, which was surprisingly still and quiet despite the short distance from the city streets, I started to hear the occasional sounds of distant movement on the forest floor.
It's a fairly steep path but before too long it levels out slightly into a small glade where it's easier to spot some monkeys running around. The rain had eased and it was only a few more minutes to reach the top.
forest whispers
Walking back along the main road, through the tourist-targeted shops that lead to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 (literally “Moon Crossing Bridge”) that spans the Katsura River 桂川 in a graceful arc. With the wide river, flowering trees and mountain backdrop, it makes for a beautiful scene.
Across the bridge and you're at the base of Mount Arashi 嵐山 and the entrance to the path that leads to the Iwatayama Monkey Park 嵐山モンキーパーク. There's no way I could resist checking out some wild monkeys, so I started up through the forest.
indelible
A little rain on the lens and a look back. Then on to the next path to the east, just as pleasant, through the forest where the Nonomiya-jinja 野宮神社 hides.
just a feeling
Another view back in the softer light before it started lightly raining. I took my time to enjoy the walk back in the drizzle.