The park is located atop Mount Arashiyama, on the opposite side of the Ōi River of the train station.

[2] The main reason why these wild macaques choose to stay in the park, is so that they can feed on the food given by the staff.

[6] In partnership with local business leaders, Hazama developed a plan in 1954 to study and acclimate the monkeys for both tourism and scientific exploration.

[6] The land where the park and tourist facilities now stand, were donated by businessman, Sonosuke Iwata, whose family name is also given to the mountain it rests upon.

Studies have span an array of topics, including basic ecology, social behavior, endocrinology, genetics, and reproductive physiology.