Updated for September 2026
The Best Zoos in Japan
How this list is ordered: by how complete our listing is — how much we hold on opening hours, ticket prices, accreditation, photographs, animals and facilities. It is a measure of our own coverage, not a judgement of the venue. We hold no visitor scores or conservation assessments, so “best” here means every zoo in Japan that qualifies for the list, fullest entry first.
Listed alphabetically
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Keeper talk or showGuided tourParking
Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo
Zoo in 名古屋市千種区
Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo, opened in 1937, is a zoo in 名古屋市千種区, Japan. Its exhibits include 新トラ・オランウータン舎, 自然動物館, 世界のメダカ館 and ゾウ舎.
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Keeper talk or showNight and evening openingAssistance animal policy
Tennoji Zoological Gardens (Osaka Zoo)
Zoo in Tennōji-ku
It was the third zoo established in the country, and lies southwest of Shitennō-ji. Animals on show include チンパンジー, ブラッザグエノン, ヨウスコウワニ, メガネフクロウ and コウノトリ.
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On-site diningNight and evening openingParking
Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park
Zoo in Ōiwa-chō
Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park, opened in 1899, is a zoo in Japan. Its exhibits include 自然史博物館, 植物園 and 遊園地.
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Animal encounterGuided tourOn-site dining
Akiyoshidai Safari Land
Zoo in 美祢市
Akiyoshidai Safari Land, opened in 1978, is a safari park in 美祢市, Japan. Animals on show include レッサーパンダ, ビントロング, アフリカゾウ, ホワイトタイガー and フクロウ.
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Animal encounterOn-site diningNight and evening opening
Gunma Safari Park
Zoo in 富岡市
Gunma Safari Park, opened in 1979, is a safari park in 富岡市, Japan. Animals on show include ホワイトタイガー, ライオン, シセンレッサーパンダ, アミメキリン and スマトラゾウ.
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Education program
Hamura Zoo
Zoo in 羽村市
Hamura Zoo, opened in 1991, is a zoo in 羽村市, Japan. Animals on show include レッサーパンダ, ニホンザル and モルモット.
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Rides and attractions
Kobe Oji Zoo
Zoo in 神戸市灘区
Kobe Oji Zoo, opened in 1951, is a zoo in 神戸市灘区, Japan. Its exhibits include 旧ハンター住宅 and 動物科学資料館.
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Rides and attractionsParking
Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Zoo in 熊本市東区
Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, opened in 1929, is a zoo in 熊本市東区, Japan.
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Animal feeding experienceParkingKeeper talk or show
Nagasaki Bio Park
Zoo in 西海市
Nagasaki Bio Park, opened in 1980, is a zoo in 西海市, Japan.
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Parking
Rakuju-en
Zoo in 三島市
The site received dual designation in 1954 as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument, and was folded into the Izu Peninsula Geopark in 2012.
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Animal feeding experienceKeeper talk or showPetting zoo
Tobu Zoo
Zoo in 南埼玉郡宮代町
Tobu Zoo, opened in 1981, is a zoo in 南埼玉郡宮代町, Japan. Animals on show include アフリカゾウ, レッサーパンダ, シタツンガ, ライオン and ホワイトタイガー.
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On-site diningFree benefitsParking
Ichihara Elephant Kingdom
Zoo in 市原市
Ichihara Elephant Kingdom, opened in 1989, is a zoo in 市原市, Japan. Animals on show include ぞうさん, カピバラ, カバ, ラマ and カンガルー.
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Animal feeding experience
Ikeda Zoo
Zoo in 岡山市北区
Ikeda Zoo is a zoo in 岡山市北区, Japan. Animals on show include レッサーパンダ, ヤギ and チンパンジー.
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Keeper talk or show
Nasu Animal Kingdom
Zoo in 那須郡那須町
Nasu Animal Kingdom is a zoo in 那須郡那須町, Japan. Animals on show include ユーラシアカワウソ, カピバラ, アムールヤマネコ, ミーアキャット and ヨウム.
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Nogeyama Zoo
Zoo in 横浜市中区
Nogeyama Zoo, opened in 1951, is a zoo in 横浜市中区, Japan. Animals on show include フンボルトペンギン, レッサーパンダ, ライオン and カグー.
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Animal feeding experienceParkingKeeper talk or show
Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park
Zoo in 仙台市太白区
Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park, opened in 1965, is a zoo in 仙台市太白区, Japan. Animals on show include レッサーパンダ, フタコブラクダ and ダチョウ.
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Disability admission concession
Asahiyama Zoo
Zoo in 旭川市
Asahiyama Zoo, opened in 1967, is a zoo in 旭川市, Japan.
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Education programParking
Morioka Zoo
Zoo in 盛岡市
Morioka Zoo, opened in 1989, is a zoo in 盛岡市, Japan. Animals on show include ピューマ, ゾウ and カヤネズミ.
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Keeper talk or showParking
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
Zoo in 札幌市中央区
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, opened in 1951, is a zoo in 札幌市中央区, Japan. Animals on show include コツメカワウソ, アムールトラ, レッサーパンダ, チンパンジー and カバ.
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Nishiyama Zoo
Zoo in 鯖江市
This is a free municipal zoo set on a low hill in Nishiyama Park. The red panda is the city's official animal, and as of 2018 the zoo kept 11 of them, one of the largest groups in the country despite the size of the site. All descend from a pair given by the Beijing Zoo in 1984.
Our ranking methodology
This is not a ranking. The 29 venues above are listed alphabetically by name, the same order used throughout this site. We do not collect visitor reviews, star ratings, ticket-sales figures or a conservation-impact score, so none of those exist here to rank by — “best” in this page’s title means every venue that qualifies for this list, not first-to-last by quality. If we ever add a data source robust enough to support an honest ranking, this note and the order above will change together.