Sunday, March 17, 2013

Tokyo, Japan: Inokashira Park Zoo 2

I first learned about Inokashira Park Zoo, much lesser known than its Ueno counterpart (also the oldest zoo in Japan) from my sister. Her friend, who had been based in Tokyo for years, brought her there and she couldn't stop raving about the guinea pig petting zoo. I guess locals do know best!

The zoo never ceases to pay attention to the finer details (think Santa's hats on Giraffe rides and quirky Homo Sapiens exhibits), but you can't help feeling that it has had better days. So do show your support for all things local if you ever drop by Tokyo! Did I mention it was a great place to people-watch too?

The animals in Inokashira Park Zoo always seem to be telling a story. It's nice to visit a charming zoo with native Japanese animals, but I had doubts about the well-being of tropical animals freezing (and possibly starving) in Japan's harsh winter.

The Birds

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

(He was in the greenhouse, don't worry!)

Inokashira Park Zoo

The Mammals

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo


Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

The quirks

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

The little details

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo
The Greenhouse

Inokashira Park Zoo

More child-friendly features

Inokashira Park Zoo
A bin for crying

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Inokashira Park Zoo

Zoos serve to be educational and to raise awareness about conservation, they can't be cheap (I don't recommend single animal exhibits) and happy animals beget happy zoo-goers. More guidelines for zoos please!

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!

Related Posts:
Japan Day 2 – Tokyo, Day 2: 

2 comments:

  1. I love visiting zoo's, you always learn so much about animals you didn't even know existed!! Thanks for following my journey! Will be following your travels as well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, zoos are great fun! Your journey is super interesting, I definitely had to follow it!

    ReplyDelete

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My Japan Itinerary (December 2012 and June 2016)

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