Japanese Macaqueニホンザル

Macaca fuscataLC— Least Concern

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is the northernmost-living non-human primate in the world, found across Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and surrounding islands, with some populations enduring snowy winters as far north as the Shimokita Peninsula. Famous for bathing in hot springs and for the sweet-potato-washing tradition passed down through generations on Koshima Island, it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Japanese Macaque (reference photo)
Photo: KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Primates / Cercopithecidae Source
Size
Males 53–60 cm, females 47–55 cm (tail 6–11 cm)
Weight
Males 6–18 kg, females 6–14 kg
Lifespan
Wild: mostly under 25 years / provisioned troops include individuals over 30
Diet
Omnivore Omnivorous, feeding mainly on fruit as well as leaves, flowers, seeds, mushrooms, eggs, and insects; 192 food items have been recorded at Arashiyama in Kyoto
Activity
Diurnal; in snowy regions it curtails activity even by day during blizzards
Distribution
Found on Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and surrounding islands, with the Shimokita Peninsula population representing the northernmost- and coldest-living non-human primate in the world. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • On Koshima Island, a female named Imo began washing sweet potatoes in seawater, a behavior that spread through her troop across generations—a famous example of animal culture. Source
  • Famous for bathing in hot springs during winter, troops also show regional vocal 'accents' that differ from one population to another. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 23

Adventure WorldWakayamaOpened in 1978

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Asahiyama ZooHokkaidoOpened in 1967

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Utsunomiya DoubutsuenTochigiAbout 5 minutes from the Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway; free parking for 1,000 cars.

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Yokohama Shiritsu Yokohama DoubutsuenKanagawaOpened in 1999

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Okazakishihigashi Kouen DoubutsuenAichiAbout 1 km toward Toyota from the Okazaki IC on the Tomei Expressway.

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Iwate SafariParkIwateAbout 45 minutes from the Ichinoseki IC, about 30 minutes from the Wakayanagi-Kannari IC, or about 25 minutes via National Route 284.

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Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).

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Takasakiyamashizen DoubutsuenOitaOpened in 1953

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Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi PrefectureKochiA 20-minute walk or 13-minute rental-bicycle ride from Noichi Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line.

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Sapporoshimaruyama DoubutsuenHokkaidoOpened in 1951

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Ichikawashi DoushokubutsuenChibaAddress: 284-1 Omachi, Ichikawa, Chiba.

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Hirakawa ZooKagoshimaAbout a 20-minute walk from Goino Station on the JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, or take a bus bound for Taniyama / Dobutsuen from Fukuhira Nokyo-mae to the last stop.

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Suzaka ZooNaganoFrom the Suzaka-Nagano-Higashi IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, take Route 403, turn right at the Kotaka-machi intersection, turn left at the Kami-Hatcho intersection, cross Garyu Bridge, and turn left for the south entrance.

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Moriokashi Doubutsu KouenIwateOpened in 1989

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Chiba Zoological ParkChibaOpened in 1985

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Naganoshichausuyama DoubutsuenNaganoThe nearest station is JR Shinonoi Station.

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Ueno ZooTokyoOpened in 1882

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Hitachishikamine DoubutsuenIbarakiAbout 5 minutes from the Hitachi-Chuo Interchange on the Joban Expressway via National Route 6.

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Iida Shiritsu DoubutsuenNaganoAddress: 33 Ogimachi, Iida, Nagano.

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Hamamatsu Zoological GardensShizuokaOpened in 1950

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Toyamashifamiri ParkToyamaOpened in 1984

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Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical GardenFukuokaOpened in 1953

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Fukuyama Shiritsu DoubutsuenHiroshimaThere is no public transportation; access is by car.

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Former facilities

North Safari SapporoHokkaidoOpened in 2005

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Closed: 2025-09-30 Official Site

Latest news

6

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why is the Japanese macaque famous for hot springs?
Populations in Japan's snowy regions, such as those at Jigokudani, are known for bathing in natural hot springs during winter to stay warm. Source
What is the potato-washing behavior?
On Koshima Island, a female named Imo began washing sweet potatoes in seawater before eating them, and the behavior spread through her troop over generations, becoming a landmark example of animal culture. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 23 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org