Tourism in Oita is most typically associated with Mt. Takasaki, where you can enjoy watching wild Japanese monkeys (Japanese macaques) at close quarters, and Umitamago, an aquarium that exhibits Oita marine life in a creative and artistic fashion.
The area around these facilities is fully equipped with a bicycle path. Riding a bike along the cycle path, from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views available in Oita, is a very popular tourist attraction.
You can travel this route most conveniently by regular-route bus, taxi or car.
The area around these facilities is fully equipped with a bicycle path. Riding a bike along the cycle path, from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views available in Oita, is a very popular tourist attraction.
You can travel this route most conveniently by regular-route bus, taxi or car.
[About Mt. Takasaki]
A helmet-shaped mountain (628 meters above sea level) situated at the western end of Oita City and bordering Beppu City, Mt. Takasaki is a habitat of wild Japanese monkeys (Japanese macaques).
Here, visitors can see wild Japanese monkeys at close quarters and watch their behavior in the feeding place.
A helmet-shaped mountain (628 meters above sea level) situated at the western end of Oita City and bordering Beppu City, Mt. Takasaki is a habitat of wild Japanese monkeys (Japanese macaques).
Here, visitors can see wild Japanese monkeys at close quarters and watch their behavior in the feeding place.
- In spring, cherries come into bloom and monkeys give birth to babies.
- In summer, you can see baby monkeys bathe in water.
- In autumn, you can see baby monkeys scramble for sweet potatoes.
- In winter, you can see a group of monkeys huddle up together to keep themselves warm in a saru-dango (monkey ball) style, a scene characteristic of Mt. Takasaki.
- In summer, you can see baby monkeys bathe in water.
- In autumn, you can see baby monkeys scramble for sweet potatoes.
- In winter, you can see a group of monkeys huddle up together to keep themselves warm in a saru-dango (monkey ball) style, a scene characteristic of Mt. Takasaki.
There are two ways to get to the monkey observation area.
From Mt. Takasaki ticket office, you can choose whether to walk or take a monorail "Sarukko Rail" to where you can observe the monkeys.
* The fare for the Sarukko Rail is ¥100 both for one way and return (in addition to the admission fee to Mt. Takasaki).
* The fare for the Sarukko Rail is ¥100 both for one way and return (in addition to the admission fee to Mt. Takasaki).
Business hours, fees, contact
[Business hours] 8:30-17:00 (Motorists are asked to enter the parking area and visitors to buy their tickets by 30 minutes before the end of the business hours.)
[Admission fees to Mt. Takasaki] Join "Mt. Takasaki Members' Club" and get various membership benefits.
[Admission fees to Mt. Takasaki] Join "Mt. Takasaki Members' Club" and get various membership benefits.
| Type | Individual | Group | Remarks |
| Adults | ¥500- | ¥400- | - Group admission fee applies to a group of 30 or more. - Admission of preschoolers is free of charge. |
| High school students | ¥500- | ¥360- | |
| Elementary school children and junior high school students | ¥250- | ¥200- |
* Admission of elementary school children from Oita City is free of charge. Applicable children are asked to show their school nametags.
* For holders of a special booklet/pass for the physically handicapped, the mentally handicapped and for persons with certain mental disorders, and their caregivers, admission is free of charge.
(Applicable visitors are asked to show the relevant booklet/pass.)
[Parking fee] Large cars ¥1,000/Small cars ¥400
* The parking lot is also open for visitors to the Umitamago aquarium.
[Contact] Mt. Takasaki Natural Habitat Zoo Kanzaki, Oita, 870-0802/Tel: 097-532-5010/Fax: 097-536-2500
* For holders of a special booklet/pass for the physically handicapped, the mentally handicapped and for persons with certain mental disorders, and their caregivers, admission is free of charge.
(Applicable visitors are asked to show the relevant booklet/pass.)
[Parking fee] Large cars ¥1,000/Small cars ¥400
* The parking lot is also open for visitors to the Umitamago aquarium.
[Contact] Mt. Takasaki Natural Habitat Zoo Kanzaki, Oita, 870-0802/Tel: 097-532-5010/Fax: 097-536-2500
[About Mt. Takasaki Osaru-kan Educational Hall]
Opened on April 1, 2004, Mt. Takasaki Osaru-kan Educational Hall aims to help visitors learn more about wild monkeys before actually going to Mt. Takasaki.
On the 3rd floor is a seminar room designed to address the educational needs of school children and students on an excursion or school trip. Please contact Osaru-kan for further details.
Opened on April 1, 2004, Mt. Takasaki Osaru-kan Educational Hall aims to help visitors learn more about wild monkeys before actually going to Mt. Takasaki.
On the 3rd floor is a seminar room designed to address the educational needs of school children and students on an excursion or school trip. Please contact Osaru-kan for further details.
[1st floor: Information/coffee shop/souvenir shop]
Oita City information counter is provided on the 1st floor. Biwa (Japanese medlar) soft ice cream and sea salt soft ice cream (with seaweed), flavors not commonly found in any other part of the country, are also available. At the shop "Mon-chan," visitors can buy monkey-related souvenirs.
[2nd floor: Monkey Square]
Information concerning monkeys, specifically the ecology of monkeys, the history of Mt. Takasaki and tales involving Mt. Takasaki monkeys, is available here. There is also a section that introduces visitors to various publications about monkeys.
[3rd floor: Seminar room]
In the seminar room, lectures are given to group visitors to Mt. Takasaki. (Lectures need a reservation.)
Oita City information counter is provided on the 1st floor. Biwa (Japanese medlar) soft ice cream and sea salt soft ice cream (with seaweed), flavors not commonly found in any other part of the country, are also available. At the shop "Mon-chan," visitors can buy monkey-related souvenirs.
[2nd floor: Monkey Square]
Information concerning monkeys, specifically the ecology of monkeys, the history of Mt. Takasaki and tales involving Mt. Takasaki monkeys, is available here. There is also a section that introduces visitors to various publications about monkeys.
[3rd floor: Seminar room]
In the seminar room, lectures are given to group visitors to Mt. Takasaki. (Lectures need a reservation.)
[About Umitamago]
Sandwiched between Mt. Takasaki and Beppu Bay, Umitamago is an aquarium surrounded by beautiful nature. With the delightful performances of dolphins and various other marine animals, the Experiment Hall that helps visitors learn firsthand about the mysterious ecology of marine life, and the Mermaid Hall designed to make visitors feel as if they were floating in the sea, the aquarium offers [discovery],[surprise],[touching experiences],[comfort],[pleasure] and [excitement] The facility is open at night, too. Families and couples are invited to visit the aquarium at night to enjoy an atmosphere largely different from the daytime aquarium.
* 2 minutes' walk from Mt. Takasaki
Sandwiched between Mt. Takasaki and Beppu Bay, Umitamago is an aquarium surrounded by beautiful nature. With the delightful performances of dolphins and various other marine animals, the Experiment Hall that helps visitors learn firsthand about the mysterious ecology of marine life, and the Mermaid Hall designed to make visitors feel as if they were floating in the sea, the aquarium offers [discovery],[surprise],[touching experiences],[comfort],[pleasure] and [excitement] The facility is open at night, too. Families and couples are invited to visit the aquarium at night to enjoy an atmosphere largely different from the daytime aquarium.
* 2 minutes' walk from Mt. Takasaki
Business hours, fees, contact
[Business hours] (Weekdays) 9:00 - 18:00/ (Holidays) 9:00 - 21:00
[Admission fees to Umitamago]
| Type | Individual | Group | ||
| 15 persons or more | 30 persons or more | 100 persons or more | ||
| Adults (High school students and older) | ¥1890- | ¥1,790- | ¥1,680- | ¥1,580- |
| Children (Elementary school children and junior high school students) | ¥950- | ¥900- | ¥840- | ¥790- |
| Preschoolers (4 years and older) | ¥630- | ¥580- | ¥530- | ¥480- |
| From JR Beppu Station | Oita Kotsu Bus bound for Oita Station Beppu Station→Mt. Takasaki Natural Habitat Zoo (About 15 minutes) |
| From JR Oita Station | JR Oita Station Oita Kotsu Bus bound for Beppu/Kunisaki Oita Station→Mt. Takasaki Natural Habitat Zoo (About 25 minutes) |
| By car | - From Fukuoka Kyushu Expressway → Tosu Junction → Exit Oita Expressway at Beppu Interchange (about 25 minutes from Beppu Interchange) - From Kokura Usa-Beppu Road→Hiji Junction→Exit Oita Expressway from Beppu Interchange (about 25 minutes from Beppu Interchange) - From Yufuin Exit Oita Expressway at Beppu Interchange (about 25 minutes from Beppu Interchange) |
[Mt. Takasaki/Umitamago route]
- Full-day route --- Visiting (1) - (3) at a leisurely pace.
- Half-day route --- Visiting (1) - (3) at a regular pace.
- Three-hour route --- Taking a quick tour to (1) - (3) or visiting two places out of (1), (2) and (3).
- Full-day route --- Visiting (1) - (3) at a leisurely pace.
- Half-day route --- Visiting (1) - (3) at a regular pace.
- Three-hour route --- Taking a quick tour to (1) - (3) or visiting two places out of (1), (2) and (3).
