VOL.211 JANUARY 2026
JAPAN AND UME
[Native Creature of Japan] Japanese Macaque
The Japanese macaque is the northernmost-living non-human primate in the world. This species is distributed from Honshu (the main island of Japan) to Kyushu (one of Japan’s southern islands), with the northernmost limit of its habitat lying in Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture (northern Honshu). With a body measuring around 50cm to 70cm in length and fur that is dark brown or brownish-gray, the macaque monkey is characterized by its reddish face and rump. They live in troops ranging from dozens to hundreds members, and are omnivorous, living on fruits, leaves, insects and the like.
Unusually among primates, Japanese macaques can live in extremely cold regions with heavy snow. The sight of these animals submerging themselves in hot water to keep out the cold, which visitors can see at Jigokudani Yaen-koen (“Jigokudani Monkey Park”) in Nagano Prefecture, is known as the “snow monkey” phenomenon (see “Snow Monkeys,” HIGHLIGHTING Japan, January 2022 issue).
Beloved since ancient times, Japanese macaques have appeared in many folk tales and historical incidents. Carved representations of the three wise monkeys, demonstrating the lesson that we should refrain from wrongdoing based on the rules of “See no evil,” “Hear no evil,” and “Speak no evil,”1 are also to be seen at Nikko Toshogu2 Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture.
- 1. A Japanese proverb. It means that one should try to avoid seeing, hearing or speaking about other people’s errors and faults or things that are troublesome to oneself.
- 2. A shrine located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. It enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu (born in1543, died in 1616), the first shogun of the Edo Bakufu (the military government of Japan established by the Tokugawa dynasty).
Photo: PIXTA
