24 Hours in Kyoto | Japan's Best Monkey Park

Hike 25 minutes up the mountains of Arashiyama to reach the Iwatayama Monkey Park, home to over 120 Japanese macaques. Despite ominous signs, the monkeys are undaunted by visitors, scurrying between your legs. The only cage here is for humans, where you can stand inside and feed the monkeys. Once you buy some monkey snacks, you'll quickly become the object of their affections. You also get one of the best views of Kyoto from up here, with loads of monkeys around you – what more could you want?

Walk down Yokai Street, or Monster Street, where each shop front features a disturbing little creature or monster. Some come from traditional Japanese folklore, while others are dreamt up by the shopkeepers. In Japanese folklore, Yokai (ghosts or monsters) are feared and revered, often used to scare children into doing chores. Legend has it the street's origins are rooted in Susuharai, an annual end-of-year housecleaning ceremony. Over a thousand years ago, unwanted household items came to life as monsters and terrorized locals. Today, shopkeepers remember them with their own creations. As you walk, try to guess what one word springs to mind for each monster.

Head to Family Mart, buy some random items, and challenge yourself to make the best monster. I used photocopied hands for a realistic skin effect, fish flakes for genuinely stinky hair, smoky cheese for eyes, and delicious meat for the mouth. My friend Pete used bubblegum for a hat and tongue, and Pocky chocolate biscuits for hair, with forks to make his creation stand up. It's a fun, disturbing creative challenge to see who can make the most terrifying or unique monster.