When visiting Osaka, after exploring Tsutenkaku, you can also stop by Tennoji Zoo! This long-established zoo has been open for over a century and is home to more than 1,000 animals from about 170 species. Animal lovers may want to add it to their itinerary. Admission is also free with an eligible Osaka Amazing Pass, which is a great deal.
This time, I mainly came to see the polar bear and black panther! The black panther was sleeping, curled up in a ball with its face barely visible, so I could only quietly admire its sleeping pose. Fortunately, I did get to see the polar bear! However, its fur didn't look as white as I'd imagined, so it lacked a bit of the majestic presence of a ruler of the Arctic ice and snow. Instead, it looked kind of adorably goofy—the more I looked, the more it seemed like a silly bear.
The zoo isn't very large, but there are still quite a few animals to see. The lions, giraffes, hippos, raccoons, and others are all worth seeing, and kids will probably have a great time! You don't need to spend the whole day there, so it's easy to fit a zoo visit into your schedule.
