A zoo is a place where animals from different species are confined within enclosures to one place, providing the best suitable environment and facility to nurture and breed too. The enclosures are made to display these rare animals to public but authority makes sure to not to hurt or tease the animals at all. Tokyo is among one of those places that is blessed with extreme favourable conditions for number of wild life animals with extended suburbs that lead to the foundation of many popular zoos in the city and its’ suburbs. Let us check out the 7 most popular and ultimate zoos in Tokyo which every traveller must visit.
1.Tama Zoological Park
Tama Zoo was the first designed in 1958 without cages in the whole of Japan. More than 300 species of animals are given the natural environment that facilitate their livelihood and given chance to breed under natural environment. To have a close look at the rare animals in their natural surroundings number of facilities like safari bus, towers, ropeways and other vehicles are available that gives the opportunity to enjoy the sight of large or small animals. Inside there id The Australian Garden which features most jovial animals like koala, frogmouths, sugar gliders and many more. The African Garden is embellished with some ferocious animals like lions and calm like zebras and giraffes. Insectarium is the most demanding spot where you can see butterfly moving around you while you are strolling around the garden.
Information
- Location: Hino-Ishi, Tokyo
- Access: 1 minute walking distance from Keio Line/ Tama Monorail-Dobutsokaen Station
- Visiting Hours: 09:30-17:00 (tickets are available till 16:00)
- Admission Fee:
- Age (0-12) yrs- Free, Age (13-15) yrs- 200 yen, Age (16-64) yrs- 600 yen, Age (65+) yrs – 300 yen
- Higher Secondary Students of Tokyo- Free
- Disables person and one attendant- Free
- May 4- Greenery Day- Free
- May 5- Zoo Anniversary Day- Free
- Closes on: Wednesdays (if public holiday then on Thursday)
- December 29- January 1
2.Ueno Zoological Gardens
Ueno Zoo the oldest of all the zoos in Japan comprises more than 460 species of animals from around the world. Here animals are not enclosed in cages to display for the public rather the administration takes full effort to create the natural habitat of each animal. Natural surroundings with utmost care have created the perfect environment for animals to live freely and play freely within confined boundaries. Ueno Zoo supported heavily wild life conservation by introducing “Tiger Forests” and “Gorilla Woods”
Information:
- Location: Ueno Park, Taito-Ku, Tokyo
- Access: 10 minutes walking distance from JR Ueno Station
- Visiting Hours: 09:30-17:00 (tickets are available till 16:00)
- Admission Fee:
- Age (0-12) yrs- Free, Age (13-15) yrs- 200 yen, Age (16-64) yrs- 600 yen, Age (65+) yrs – 300 yen
- Higher Secondary Students of Tokyo- Free
- Disables person and one attendant- Free
- May 4- Greenery Day- Free
- March 20- Zoo Anniversary Day- Free
- October 1- Tokyo Citizens Day
- Closes on: Mondays (if public holiday then on Tuesday)
- December 29- January 1
3.Inokashira Zoo
Inokashira Zoo is situated in the suburb of Tokyo inside Inokashira Park. Presence of more than 200 species of animals along with few other spots and rides, this place deserves huge crowd. Along with the sight of beautiful animals visitors can enjoy wonderful atmosphere beside pond and botanical garden is a sheer attractive spot too. This zoo is famous for the conservation and breeding of animals like mandarin duck, squirrels and other splendid birds.
Information:
- Location: Gotenyama, Musahino-shi Tokyo
- Access: 10 minutes walking distance from Kichijoji Station of JR line
- Visiting Hours: 09:30-17:00 (tickets are available till 16:00)
- Admission Fee:
- Age (0-12) yrs- Free, Age (13-15) yrs- 150 yen, Age (16-64) yrs- 400 yen, Age (65+) yrs – 200 yen
- Higher Secondary Students of Tokyo- Free
- Disables person and one attendant- Free
- May 4- Greenery Day- Free
- May 17- Zoo Anniversary Day- Free
- October 1- Tokyo Citizens Day
- Closes on: Mondays (if public holiday then on Tuesday)
- December 29- January 1
4.Edogawa City Zoo
It is another zoo of Tokyo which represents the love of animals in the heart of Tokyo people. This zoo features more than 30 species of animals from little and cute bunnies to giant red pandas and seals. Adult ad children can acquire loads of information during their visit. In this zoo children and adults can observe the animal behaviour closely by touching and petting them, a complete spot where you can find both wild and domestic animals.
Information
- Location: Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Nearest Stations: The Toei Shinjuku Line Funabori and Kozai Line Nishi-Kasai Station are quite far.
- Visiting Hours: 10:00-16:30 (March-October)
- 10:00-16:00 (November-February)
- Admission Fee: Free
- Closes on: Mondays
5.Higashi-Itabashi Children’s Park Zoo
Itabashi zoo is a home to small and cute animals which demands care and affection to grow. The opportunity for visitors to feed and pet the animals is not soothing for only one side. Even animals too love being so much pampered by the visitors and play freely with them. Along with animals, in this park there is also an aquarium which completes the whole visit. Free pony rides for children add to the charm of the zoo and neighbourhood playgrounds make it an attractive destination for visitors.
Information:
- Location: Higashi-Itasbashi Park, Itabashi Tokyo
- Access: 8 minutes walking distance from Itabashi-koyakushomae Station on the Toei Mita line
- 20 minutes walking distance from Oyama Station on Tobu Tojo line
- Admission Fee: Free
- Closes on: Mondays
6.Tokyo Municipal Oshima Park Zoo
Oshima Park Zoo is located on island Oshima, a suburb of Tokyo. Established in 1935, it of one of its kind in zoo arena where volcanic eruptions are left untouched for animals to spend playful time on them. Upon it, this zoo features the largest bird cage which allows close perception to most rare kinds of birds in their natural environment. Sea-side and serene atmosphere provides immense pleasure and the charming view of animals makes the visit priceless.
Information:
- Location: Senzu, Oshima-machi, Tokyo
- Access: On Oshima Park Line- 20 minutes from Motomachi Port and 10 minutes from Okada by Car
- Hours: 8:30-17:00
- Admission Fee: Free
7.Tokyo Sea Life Park- a Sea Zoo
For people who love sea and aquatic animals, this is the right destination for you to closely observe and watch them under huge tank. Penguin and sea birds are the major attractions of this park, as it contributed lot in breeding tuna and hoppfish it is obvious to seem them here in huge number. This aquarium exhibits aquatic animals from around the world like ocellated ice fish from Antarctica, blue fin tuna and many more which can not be seen in other sea zoos of Japan.
Information:
- Location: Rinkai-cho, Edogawa-ku,Tokyo
- Access: 5 minutes walking distance from Kasai-Rinkai Koen Station
- Hours: 09:30-17:00
- Admission Fee: 700 yen
- Closes on: Wednesday and New Year Holidays
Zoos are the right place to quench your thirst for meeting animals that are rare to see. Tokyo Zoos are well equipped with animals all over the world, make sure to visit them and enjoy short trip with animals.
Have a good trip and travel.
