Opened in 1915 as the third zoo in Japan, Tennoji zoo is home to over 1,000 animals of over 200 varieties. From lions to chimpanzees to rare New Zealand kiwis, this 11-hectare (110,000 square meter) zoo offers a myriad of exotic animals for your viewing pleasure.
Tennoji Zoo takes extra steps to make the animals feel at home and educate the public by closely replicating the animals’ natural habitat. Each exhibit seeks to mimic natural ecological environments as closely as possible. As such, the public is able to be introduced to the unique environments in which these animals carry out their lives.
Some of the especially interesting exhibits include the transparent pool in the Hippo House and the African savannah zone in which brings both carnivorous and herbivorous animals into the same environment. Within the zoo, you can enjoy several cafes and restaurants and a cute animal-themed stroller rental service.
Located in the Tennoji neighborhood, you are also close to a host of other popular stops to craft a perfect day-long outing. Take short hop over to the skyscraper and modernistic shopping center Abeno Harukas for an unparalleled view of Osaka’s cityscape and endless shopping and dining options. Also located in Tennoji park is the Keitakuen Garden, a Japanese-themed garden with rolling hills, bridges, and ponds that exemplify a sense of modern landscaping in Japan. For those looking for a pleasant picnic or a place for kids to frolic, look no further than the neighboring Ten-Shiba lawn. This sprawling field of grass offers not only a wide-open space to sit down and relax with family and friends, but also a futsal (a variation of football/soccer) court, kids’ playgrounds, and cafes.
Address: 〒 543-0063 1-108 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka
Directions:
5-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Subway Sakaisuji and Midosuji Lines
5-minute walk from Ebisucho Station on the Subway Sakaisuji Line
10-minute walk from Tennoji Station on the Subway Midosuji and Tanimachi Lines and JR Line
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday – 9:30 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00)
Saturday, Sunday, national holidays in May/September – 9:30 – 18:00 (last entry 17:00)
*Monday (the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday) and December 29 – January 1 – closed
Admission Fee:
Adults – 500 JPY
Elementary/Junior High School Students – 200 JPY
Preschool Children – Free
Website: http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu170/tennojizoo/en/