Inokashira Park Zoo is one of five zoos in Tokyo (and one of three I visited in Japan), featuring the native animals of Japan and its (ironically non-local) star animal is Hanako, the first elephant to come to Japan after WWII. The Park Zoo is also peppered with sculptures by Seibo Kitamura. I especially enjoyed the Guinea Pig Petting Zoo run by volunteers - cuddle therapy! It's one of the more child-friendly zoos I've visited - with a Gallery with activities for children and lots of cutesy animals that will appeal to them.
It's within walking distance from the Studio Ghibli Museum, making the Mitaka-Kichijoji area a worthy day trip off the JR Line.
The friendly staff told me about a visitor's discount (upon hearing some of my gibberish English and checking my passport) and passed me the tourist guide for Tokyo's zoos (with the coupon).
A prelude
Oh my Gawd! Cuteness Overload!
What fine weather
We used to keep a couple growing up.
Sculpture a-hunting
Someone's been doing a great job with the lawn
An obsession with maple
The Petting Zoo
You can pet them in the pen or place them on your laps and stroke. Repeatedly.
They are all females (talked a bit with a volunteer) for obvious reasons.
They are the same, yet different.
Hi Hanako. Bye Hanako.
Cost: free (0-12 years) - ¥400 (Inquire about tourist discounts)
Access: JR Kichijoji Station South Exit (10 min walk)
NB: Don't miss the Studio Ghibli Museum!
More to come!
Related Posts:
Japan Day 2 – Tokyo, Day 2:
- Studio Ghibli (magical but restricted photography)
- Inokashira Park Zoo 1 (Pet all the Guinea pigs!)
- Inokashira Park Zoo 2
Hi there, we are planning a trip to japan in December and would like to know how cold tokyo and kyoto is? Is it really freezing or chilly? We are from South Africa and find New York in December pretty unbearable so we hoping japan is more pleasant:)
ReplyDeleteSingapore is warm/ hot all year around and I thought Japan was quite cold! (3-15 deg celsius? It might rain too...) If it gets unbearable in Japan, you can pop into any Uniqlo store and stock up on Heattech products, get hot drinks from the vending machines or soak in an onsen! The temperature drops further in Jan/ Feb. Anw it was worth the cold. Really! Have a good trip!
ReplyDeleteWe loved this Zoo, and the whole Mitaka/Innokashira superb. Two years on and my children are still talking about "all those guinea pigs! Thank you so sharing your pictures
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine, thanks for reading! Yes, the guinea pigs were definitely THE highlight of the zoo. It was so therapeutic stroking them... so soft!
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