Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

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Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

A zoo with elaborate exhibitions, and a botanical garden where you can enjoy each season’s breathtaking scenery.

3.32 5

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Inside a 600,000 square meter area, there is a zoo, botanical garden, and an amusement park. The scale is so big that you cannot go around this zoo, botanical garden in one day.
Especially in the zoo, there are 450 types of animals, many of them are quite popular like the Koala, a symbol of the zoo.

The method to exhibit is also elaborate for an enjoyable tour. For example, the Asian elephant house Zozium is built in the image of Sri Lanka where they come from, and you can feel the exotic atmosphere. There is also a learning exhibition to learn about the relationship between endangered elephants and humans and the surrounding habitat where you can feel the joy of learning. In addition, specialized exhibits such as the "Medaka Museum," which boasts the largest number of medaka fish in the world, are also interesting.

It is a must-visit to the botanical garden where plants are exhibited while making the best use of the natural terrain. You will forget that you are in the center of Nagoya city with the rich seasonal vibes. In the springtime there are sakura, summer there are sunflowers in full bloom, and the colorful autumn leaves are spectacular. Visit the greenhouse where you can see beautiful flowers that grow in tropical and subtropical climates.

A regeneration plan is underway in the park, and new facilities such as the tropical rainforest area in Asia are scheduled to open one after another.

(Photo courtesy of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Nagoya City)

Highlights

  • Meet the symbol of the zoo, koalas and other cute animals.
  • The environment is designed so you can watch how animals live in nature.
  • Breathe fresh air in the tranquil botanical garden with gorgeous flowers.

Photos

  • Western gorilla's "Shabani" is a hot topic as "good-looking guy"

    Western gorilla's "Shabani" is a hot topic as "good-looking guy"

  • Koala is an idol of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

    Koala is an idol of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

  • The lesser panda house opened in 2021

    The lesser panda house opened in 2021

  • The botanical garden during the fall foliage is especially beautiful

    The botanical garden during the fall foliage is especially beautiful

  • The Botanical Garden's greenhouse front building, which is designated as a national important cultural property, was reopened in 2021.

    The Botanical Garden's greenhouse front building, which is designated as a national important cultural property, was reopened in 2021.

  • A greenhouse where you can see beautiful flowers that grow in tropical and subtropical climates.

    A greenhouse where you can see beautiful flowers that grow in tropical and subtropical climates.

Reviews

5

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    If you like animals, plants, and natural scenery, I highly recommend spending a day at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

    The grounds are truly huge. Besides the zoo, there are botanical gardens, amusement rides, gardens, and restaurants, so you can easily spend the whole day exploring at a leisurely pace. The entire park is lush and green, making it very pleasant to walk around.

    A wide variety of animals

    You can see popular animals such as koalas, gorillas, giraffes, and elephants. The grounds are very well maintained, and the animals' living spaces are also kept quite clean. What surprised me was that even though there are many animals, there aren't any strong odors. The animals also looked lively, making the overall experience very pleasant.

    A real sense of everyday life in Japan

    There are relatively few tourists here. Instead, you'll see many local families and elderly couples out for a walk, as well as lots of kindergarten children on field trips and picnics. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

    Especially when I saw Japanese children happily picnicking in the park, I felt that this wasn't just a tourist attraction, but more like a place where Nagoya residents regularly come to enjoy nature and family time.

    There are also many attractions in the park

    Besides the animals, there are attractions such as a small train that goes around the park and pedal boats, so you can take your time and enjoy everything at your own pace.

    The admission price is also very reasonable!

    Adult admission is only JPY 500. For such a large park with so much to offer, it's really a great value!

    It's also very easy to get to. Take the subway to Higashiyama Koen Station, and it's just a short walk from there.

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    Nagoya's Higashiyama Zoo completely changed my impression of zoos. The animals are kept behind low fences in comfortable spaces, so visitors don't feel like their living areas are cramped. The grounds are also spacious and great for children to run around. The zoo has a wide variety of animals, but the most special are probably the polar bears. You can see them up close without traveling to the Arctic Circle, which is quite a sight. Besides visiting the zoo, you can also go boating on the lake and enjoy the retro amusement rides. It's highly recommended for families with children. Transportation is convenient, so if you're visiting Nagoya, you can plan a day trip here.

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    There's a lot of interaction between people and animals. All the animal enclosures are really clean. If you have time, you should also check out the botanical garden.

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    There are so many different kinds of animals, and the park layout is really spacious. Almost every area has a restroom, which is super convenient.

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    The famous and super handsome chimpanzee is so impressive with every move! There are also lots of other adorable animals here.

Details

Name in Japanese
名古屋市東山動植物園
Postal Code
464-0804
Address
3-70 Higashiyamamotomachi, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi
Tel
052-782-2111
Closed Days
Mondays
※When a Monday falls on a holiday, the following weekday will be closed instead.
New Year’s holiday (Dec. 29 - Jan. 1)
Hours
9:00am - 4:50pm (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
Admission
Adults (high schoolers and older): 500 yen, middle-schooler and younger: Free, (Sky Tower combo ticket) Adults: 640 yen
Directions
1) from Nagoya Municipal Subway, Higashiyamakoen Station, walk 3 min to the Zoo.
2) from Nagoya Municipal Subway, Hoshigaoka Station, walk 6 min to the Zoo.
Credit Cards
Accepted (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, UnionPay, American Express, Diners Club, DISCOVER)
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa