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Himeji City Zoo

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Himeji City Zoo

A "Zoo Inside the Castle" with a view of the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle.

4.07 2

Last update :
Supervised by :  Himeji City

Located within the grounds of the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, next to the Sannomaru Plaza, is the "Zoo Inside the Castle." Upon entering the zoo and walking straight ahead, you'll come across the red "Shiromi Bashi Bridge," which offers a picturesque view of Himeji Castle over the moat. From the west side of the old elephant house, you can see the castle's main keep reflected upside down on the moat's surface—a unique viewing spot that draws many visitors.

While strolling through the zoo, you'll encounter various animals, including around 30 species and over 150 mammals such as giraffes and hippos, about 50 species of birds like penguins and owls, and over 10 species and 20 reptiles such as snakes and turtles. The "Interaction Plaza" is especially popular with children, where they can participate in the twice-daily "Interaction Time" to meet animals like guinea pigs up close.

Additionally, the zoo features two retro amusement areas, one on the south side and one on the north side of the grounds, providing enjoyment for both children and adults alike.

Highlights

  • The "Zoo Inside the Castle" located within the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle.
  • The zoo features several viewing spots offering stunning views of Himeji Castle.
  • Visitors can meet a variety of animals, including mammals like giraffes and hippos.
  • At the "Interaction Plaza," you can enjoy "Interaction Time" held twice daily, where you can interact with the animals.
  • The zoo also has recreational facilities, making it a popular destination for families.

Photos

  • Located right next to the Sannomaru Plaza of Himeji Castle.

    Located right next to the Sannomaru Plaza of Himeji Castle.

  • You can encounter a wide variety of animals.

    You can encounter a wide variety of animals.

  • At the "Interaction Plaza," staff members are always on hand to teach you about the animals.

    At the "Interaction Plaza," staff members are always on hand to teach you about the animals.

  • From the west side of the old elephant house, you can see the inverted reflection of Himeji Castle's main keep in the moat.

    From the west side of the old elephant house, you can see the inverted reflection of Himeji Castle's main keep in the moat.

  • In spring, the zoo is adorned with cherry blossoms, offering a picturesque and charming view.

    In spring, the zoo is adorned with cherry blossoms, offering a picturesque and charming view.

  • There are two retro amusement facilities located within the zoo.

    There are two retro amusement facilities located within the zoo.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
A

Sorry, we don’t.

Q

Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A

No free Wi-Fi available.

Q

Are coin lockers available?
A

Yes.

Q

Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
A

Re-entry is possible. By presenting your same-day admission ticket, you can re-enter the zoo until 4:30 PM.

Reviews

2

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 楊雅雯
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    Besides enjoying the beautiful white castle at Himeji Castle, we also stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. I didn’t expect such a small zoo to be more fun than I imagined!

    I thought we would just take a quick stroll, but we ended up seeing quite a few animals, including giraffes and penguins. The kids’ eyes lit up as soon as they saw the animals, and they were so happy they didn’t want to leave. The zoo isn’t large, but it’s easy to walk around, clean, and you can enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling. It’s a great little stop for families.

    After exploring the impressive Himeji Castle, relaxing at the zoo was a nice change of pace. Historic sights, beautiful views, and cute animals all in one trip—something for both adults and kids. It turned out to be a wonderful little surprise on this journey.

  • 王小鈞
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    At Himeji Castle, besides admiring the impressive white main keep, we unexpectedly found a small and charming zoo right next door.

    The zoo isn’t very big, and it doesn’t have as many kinds of animals as a large zoo, but it’s kept very clean. It also hardly had that typical zoo smell, so walking around was really pleasant. It’s an easy little stop if you’re visiting with kids.

    The biggest surprise was a hidden photo spot inside the zoo where you can see Himeji Castle from a different angle. The white main keep against the blue sky looked absolutely beautiful!

    If you’re visiting Himeji Castle, it’s worth adding this small spot to your route. Along with seeing the historic castle, you can also take some unique and memorable photos.

Details

Name in Japanese
姫路市立動物園
Postal Code
670-0012
Address
68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo
Telephone
079-284-3636
Closed
Open every day（Closed from December 29 to January 1）
Business Hours
9:00am - 5:00pm（Admission allowed until 4:30pm）
Admission
Adults 250yen, Children（5 years old to junior high school students）50yen
Access
A 15-minute walk from JR/Sanyo Electric Railway Himeji Station.
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
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