How to Enjoy Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens! Animal Paradise of 450 Species and more!

“Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens” locates in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya City.

It is a well-known spot for people in the Tokai area. With approximately 450 species of animals, it is the largest number in Japan. 2017 marks the 80th anniversary of the park’s opening.

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is famous for its handsome gorillas and koalas, but its attractions go beyond that, including the red panda house, which just opened in March 2021, and the oldest public greenhouse in Japan, designated as a national important cultural property.

Today, we would like to give a thorough report on how to enjoy Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden!

Access & Tickets Information of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

We came to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

It takes about three-minute walk from Exit 3 of “Higashiyama Koen Station” on the Higashiyama Subway Line. It is also accessible from “Nagoya Station” in about 18 minutes by subway. For “Hoshigaoka Station” on the Higashiyama Subway Line, it is a 7-minute walk from Exit 6 to the Botanical Garden.

There are 1,600 parking spaces available, but public transportation is recommended as it is expected to be crowded on weekends.

First, let’s get the ticket!

You can enjoy both the zoo and the botanical garden with the ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter on the day of your visit, or at convenience stores or travel agencies. You do not have to wait in line at the ticket counter, so admission to the zoo is relatively smooth.

＜Ticket＞
Adult（High school students and above）：¥500

＜Yearly passport＞
Adult（High school students and above）：¥2,000

▼For more information
http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/01_annai/01_01kaien/

How to Enjoy Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens has a zoo, botanical garden, and amusement park. Let’s start off with the zoo!

The zoo covers an area of 32.21 hectares. It is divided into two zones: the “Main Park” where popular animals are kept, and the “North Park” where killifish and apes are kept on a hilly terrain.

Let’s tour around the Main Park and the North Park.

The Sky View Train Main Station is located right after you enter the main gate.

This monorail connects the Sky View Train Botanical Garden Station, the entrance to the Botanical Garden. It takes about 10 minutes to travel the distance, which is about 800 meters on foot.

If you want to visit the botanical garden and Japanese animal area as well, this is the place to go!

Main Park, a Large Collection of Popular Animals!

“Zoziam,” an Asian Elephant House Inspired by Sri Lanka, the Home of the Asian Elephant.

First, let’s visit “Zoziam”, an Asian elephant house completed in 2013!

It is approximately 3,350 square meter in size and was developed in the image of the landscape of Sri Lanka, the home of the Asian elephant.

Asian elephants move around throughout the day in all four seasons. Elephants like to get wet, so you can see them especially lively on rainy days.

Four Asian elephants, Walder, Anura, Kosara, and Sakura, are kept at the Zoziam. Walder, who is very caring, came to the zoo in 1973, and is a leading figure in the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

Inside the building, there is an exhibit where you can learn about the history and ecology of elephants. Elephant feet are so large! The skin is 2 to 4 cm thick.

It is truly a museum of elephants where you can see elephants while learning about them!

We were not able to see them on this day, but you can see the elephants up close from this “slit view”.

Red Kangaroo House, Where You can Find their Unique Appearance

Next, we went to the “Red Kangaroo House” recommended by the staff. You can see a very unique sight here.

Look at them! They are sleeping like an uncle on his day off! Red kangaroos are nocturnal, so they spend their daytime mostly sleeping. It seems that even we are getting somewhat sleepy.

The red kangaroo is the largest of the kangaroo family. There is a considerable difference in body size between males and females. This one, with its large body and fine muscles, is a male red kangaroo!

Let’s Go Meet the King of the Hundred Beasts at “Whoooa Tube”

Next is the lion house “Whoooa Tube”, which is built in 2007 to commemorate the park’s 70th anniversary. This facility allows visitors to observe lions up close.

Let’s cross the bridge with a pounding heart.

Three lions, Sun, Luna, and Sora, are kept in the lion den, and on this day we were able to meet Sora, the son of Sun and Luna. He has long face and silky hair. He is said to have a calm personality.

Seeing lions up close is quite a sight.

The Red Panda House, the First Red Panda House in Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden in 39 Years!

Now, we came to the “Red Panda House” that had just opened in March 2021, which I was looking forward to the most this time.

It has been 39 years since the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden has bred red pandas! Three Sisen red pandas, Zun, Maruko, and Rei, came to the zoo. *Rei arrived at the zoo on May 31, 2021.

We were told that feeding time in the after noon is recommended to visit.

Wow, they are taking a nap. I waited to see if he would wake up, but he didn’t wake up at all.

When I went there again in the evening, I found that Rei was awake! Light-colored and rambunctious one is Rei. How adorable!

The Sisien red panda is size of approximately 60 cm and lives in the cold regions of China and Myanmar at altitudes above 1,500 m. It is listed as an endangered species.

The indoor exhibition hall is connected to the outdoor playground, and if you are lucky, you can even see them walking on the aerial walkway!

Next, let’s go to the “Giraffe House”.

The Tallest Animal on Land, the “Reticulated Giraffe.”

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is home to 4 reticulated giraffe. The giraffes are impressive for their leisurely appearance, but in fact they can run at speeds of up to 50 km per hour!

Benches are set up in front of the giraffe lawn, so you can take your time and relax and observe the giraffes. It is time for a short rest.

Fluffy Idol “Koala House”!

We are now at the “Koala House”. Many people may say that Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is famous for its koalas!

First, learn about koalas at the Koala Forest, a learning facility located in front of the koala house.

Koalas sleep for 20 hours a day. Will we ever see a koala awake?

The room is very spacious! I wonder where they are?

There he was! They are napping on the tree. Their fluffy appearance is like a stuffed animal.

We were able to see the koalas awake, as it was just time for them to eat.

Here they are eating; they take an hour or so to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Surprisingly, a baby koala was with us! It is a true angel. Currently, three baby koalas born in 2020 are being raised in the koala house.

The symbol on the wall of the koala house was created by manga artist Akira Toriyama when the koalas first arrived at the park in 1984. Please be sure to check it out!

Bird Hall, a Popular Spot for Those in the Know

The Bird Hall is located just a short walk from the koala house. In fact, it is a popular spot among those in the know.

Once inside, you will see about 10 species of colorful birds, including the Indian peacock and the white-winged blackbird. And what is surprising is the way they are displayed.

There are no fences or glass walls between the birds and people. Visitors can see the birds freely moving about at a distance that is almost within reach of their hands. The staff members are also puzzled as to why the birds do not come to the aisle side.

The sight of these beautiful birds is enchanting. Benches are set up along the pathway, so it is recommended to spend a relaxing time.