[Sumoto, Hyogo] Why did the "Awaji Monkeys" become such a kind group of monkeys? Learn from the ecology of the "Awaji Monkeys" who chose a social style based on mutual help rather than force or conflict.

Generally, Japanese macaques are said to be aggressive creatures that value hierarchy, with the boss monkey at the center. However, the wild Japanese macaques that come to the Awaji Monkey Center are seen to behave in a gentle manner, supporting weaker monkeys. These monkeys are called "Awaji Monkeys." This is a healing experience, where you can listen to the center staff talk about the ecology of the monkeys that live in a gentle society, learn about the Awaji monkeys, and feed and observe them. This is the only place where you can take a commemorative photo of yourself surrounded by monkeys! The Japanese macaques that come to the Awaji Island Monkey Center live in groups of about 350. These wild Japanese macaques come from the mountains around 9am, spend the day near the feeding area, and return to the mountains in the evening. The monkeys here are very docile and gentle, with a high level of tolerance, and this characteristic is very rare, so they are called "Awaji Monkeys." After listening to a talk by the staff who run the center about the characteristics of the Awaji monkeys and how to be the leader of this group, you need to be kind as well as strong, you can enter a building specifically for feeding and feed the monkeys outside, a unique feeding experience. (Additional fee: 200 yen per time) You can take a commemorative photo in the middle of a group of monkeys thanks to the feeding points of the center staff and the kindness of the Awaji monkeys, and you can't experience this unless you come here. If you scatter food in the shape of letters, the monkeys that eat the food will also form the letters, a unique sight that only the monkeys here can see. (A panel is posted on site) If you want to observe the Awaji monkeys to your heart's content, you can enter the park before the experience time.