Takao Monkey

On the slopes of Mount Takao in western Tokyo, the Takao Monkey Park holds a troop of Japanese macaques in a large natural enclosure that blends into the surrounding forest. Visitors walk through the outdoor area where the monkeys roam freely at close range, which is a different experience from a typical zoo. An indoor area lets you feed the troop through a wire mesh wall. A seasonal flower trail below the monkey park displays wildflowers and planted species through spring and summer. The park sits partway up the Takao cable car route, making it easy to combine with a mountain hike before or after. Good for families, but genuinely interesting at any age.