Kobe Animal Kingdom | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

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Kobe Animal Kingdom

Observe animals living freely and up close!

4 Nov 2026 See More

What I was looking forward to most on this trip to Kobe was seeing the adorable red pandas in person. Not only can you see these comforting little animals up close, but you may even get the chance to see the hugely popular Pallas’s cat, with its grumpy-looking face and round, chubby body rolling around. The whole experience was truly soothing.

I really liked how there wasn’t any thick glass in the way, allowing you to observe the animals up close and feel more connected to them. The environment is kept very clean, and the birds throughout the park are also well cared for, with neat, clean feathers. It’s a very pleasant place to walk around, and the atmosphere is a little like Jojozoo Park in Nantou. If you enjoy getting close to animals, you definitely won’t want to leave. It’s a great place to spend a relaxing half day.

Other Reviews by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

Koikeya Potato Chips Potato and Salt

A simple snack seasoned with a salt-based seasoning on thinly sliced and fried Japanese potatoes. It can be purchased at supermarkets and drug stores across Japan.
- Snacks
4 Nov 2026 See More

I’ve always liked Japanese potato chips, especially the various flavors from Koikeya. This classic lightly salted original flavor has become a staple that I pick up almost every time I go to a supermarket or convenience store in Japan. The flavor is very light and refreshing, and it’s not too salty. The salt level is just right, bringing out the natural flavor of the potatoes even more.

Besides the classic flavor, they sometimes offer surprisingly good limited-edition flavors like truffle. Whenever I come across one, I can’t resist buying a bag to try it. When traveling in Japan, picking up a bag as a late-night snack with a drink back at the hotel is such a blissful guilty pleasure.
Hakata Gion Tetsunabe

A popular store selling a Fukuoka favorite,“Tetsunabe Gyoza”, which is said to have originated in a yatai stall in Hakata. On a hot pot, small gyozas are packed in a circle, grilling all pieces equally.
- Hakata, Tenjin, Ohori
- Japanese Cuisine
4 Nov 2026 See More

When traveling to Fukuoka, most people only know about the iron-skillet gyoza in Hakata Gion, but the “Tetsunabe” restaurant in Kokura is actually quite famous as well. The two have deep ties, and even the red curtain at the entrance and the style of the iron-skillet gyoza look very similar.

This time, I made a special trip to try their signature gyoza cooked in a cast-iron skillet. They came out piping hot and were served right in the skillet. They were really delicious, and the restaurant’s special soy sauce and yuzu kosho completely cut through the greasiness of the pan-fried gyoza. The luckiest part was that there happened to be a festival while I was eating. I saw the parade passing by from the window and couldn’t resist running outside to take a few photos. Ordering is done on a tablet, and there’s a Chinese-language option, which is very convenient. If you’re worried that the Hakata location will be too crowded, consider coming to Kokura for a more relaxed meal. Highly recommended.
Kokura Castle Garden

Kokura Castle Garden is a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden located beside Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Recreated together with an Edo-period samurai residence, it offers a refined glimpse into traditional Japanese aesthetics.
- Mojiko, Kokura
- Parks & Gardens
4 Nov 2026 See More

This elegant Kokura Castle Garden is located right next to Kokura Castle and has the tranquility and serenity characteristic of a Japanese garden. I happened to visit around sunset, and with relatively few visitors in the garden, I was able to sit on a bench and quietly enjoy the beautiful view of the historic castle, lush trees, and garden complementing one another.

Traditional tea ceremony experiences are also available by reservation. If you're interested, you can check the schedule and make a reservation in advance. It was truly wonderful to spend a leisurely afternoon in such a Japanese atmosphere.