Kobe Ōji Zoo — Attraction in Kobe

No Panda! We knew that before our visit thankfully because we checked the website. So this review is not taking that into account.

For a Buddhist country that is supposed to love and respect animals Japan is not very good at Zoos. They are often run down, look like they have not been renovated since WWII and the enclosures can best be described as animal cruelty. Public zoos are often around ¥200-¥500 Kobe was ¥650 and you can tell the difference.

With that in mind we decided to visit when we had some spare time. It just so happened it was the hottest time of day so some of the animals were sleeping in the shade and a few like the tiger we didn’t see at all. Typical zoo stuff, to be expected. Yes every single enclosure was too small but that is also what you expect from a zoo especially a Japanese zoo. Some of the enclosures have really had thought put into them to mimic the natural habitat of the animal. The zoo keepers and vets were all very friendly and cared about the animals and took pride in their work.

The zoo is big but not too big and the enclosures can be viewed from different heights and angles. There is a zoological center where you can learn more and play a few games. Thankfully it wasn’t too busy when we went so we could go at our own pace and really enjoy ourselves.

There is also an amusement park there, we didn’t visit that area so I can’t comment on it.

We had some great experiences with the hippo and the sea lions. It was a lovely 3 or so hours well spent. If we are in Kobe again and have time we will definitely visit again, it really is one of the better zoos I have visited in Japan and your entrance fee is...

Follow me on my Instagram @Shayan Shany And then click on YouTube channel link for the whole video I visited oji zoo I have given every single detail in it !! In Kobe there are 2 zoo but I would prefer to visit oji zoo here what the 1 st u would get it is the easy and safe parking secondly it’s huge so there is no problem even if a lot of people are inside in it Even you could visit the website on google by that you’d easily get the location and information which is based on different languages You can find 2 antique things over there which talk about history One is the old train And second one is the house Now I’m posting some pictures which would help you out One more thing at the exit there is a small shop of toy stuff where there is a machine and a computer by which you could make your own locket by putting it your name and date of birth even what ever you want to write etc Whole locket with the chain would cost u just for 800 yen , so don’t forget your memories make it and take...

This is a great place for little kids, everything is tidy, many bathrooms and benches, and the animals seem well cared for although enclosures tend to be small by Western standards. There are only a couple downsides. The only place to eat inside is the penguin or gorilla areas, they really need to open or make areas where people can eat inside close to the kitchen cars. All seating is outside, so it's very uncomfortable in summer or winter. Besides that lack of indoor seating, the giant panda building is empty, and the tropical and night animal building is closed, so you can't see as much as you used to be able to. Lastly, the petting zoo is only available M-F, and the squirrel forest is only Sunday for 2 hours. So, there are very few possibilities to do special stuff. If you want a really amazing zoo, you should look elsewhere. But if you want a decent zoo that's geared towards little kids, then this place is great. My son especially loves the train, elephant slides, and...