Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden

Mt. Takasaki outside Oita City is home to over 1,200 wild Japanese macaques that roam the hills freely and come down to a feeding area where visitors can watch them play, eat, and groom one another. It is less a zoo than an observation site for monkeys living on their own terms. In 2021, a female macaque named Yakei made national news by fighting her way to the top of the troop hierarchy. A monorail carries visitors to the congregation area for a small fee. There is also an indoor play area for children, a small museum on the troop's history, a cafe, and souvenir shops.