Kyoto City Zoo — Attraction in Kyoto

If you are searching for family-friendly things to do in Kyoto with kids, the Kyoto City Zoo is a wonderful choice. Conveniently located near Heian Shrine and Nanzen-ji Temple, the zoo is easy to access and can be combined with other popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto.

The entrance fee is very affordable: ¥750 for adults, ¥650 for groups (30+), and free for children under junior high school age. An annual pass is only ¥2,200, making it one of the most budget-friendly family attractions in Kyoto.

As of July 2024, the zoo is home to 109 species and 626 animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Kyoto City Zoo also has a long history — it opened in 1903 (Meiji 36), making it the second oldest zoo in Japan after Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. This rich history adds cultural value to your visit.

Highlights for families include an elephant herd larger than many other Japanese zoos, a special giraffe observation deck where visitors can look down on giraffes from above, and a petting area where children can interact with smaller animals. These unique features make the zoo not only fun but also educational.

Overall, Kyoto City Zoo is a compact yet diverse zoo that combines learning, relaxation, and fun. For tourists looking for Kyoto attractions for families or things to do in Kyoto with kids, this zoo is highly recommended. It’s a hidden gem that shows another side of Kyoto beyond temples...

This zoo is an appalling display of animal cruelty. Small, filthy enclosures for large animals that are not designed well for those animals. No shelter from elements in most enclosures, many had hardly any foliage at all. Monkeys were kept in a concrete pit and many other animals had nothing to climb and no room to fly. There is an obvious lack of staff and management here. There were more people working the gift shop and greeting customers than working the grounds and caring for animals. It would seem that hardly any cleaning is done in enclosures. Many of the animals were underfed and clearly stressed out. Big cats were just walking in circles as they had no place to lay, no shelter or toys. The elephants very stressed and had no shelter or foliage. There was a zebra alone in a small enclosure that was basically a pit of mud. Penguins and turtles swimming in poorly designed enclosures with filthy water. The hippopotamus was kept in a small concrete room with no natural light, a dirty pool and no access to grass. It was an absolutely abysmal experience and has soured what was otherwise a great trip. If anybody reading this knows of any animal rights groups in the area or anyone directly opposing the zoo that I can talk to and support please let me know. Something...

Unfortunately me and my partner did not look at the reviews and spontaneously went to this zoo. We were deeply upset by the conditions these animals and the enclosures they were in. Tiny cages, distressed animals, and poor quality of life for the animals. Below I have attached photos of: tiny glass enclosure for frog. Imagine a tiny fish tank with no where for the frog to jump or have any freedom. fox with enclosure of about 3x3m two deer with again tiny enclosure (surprise surprise). Especially when we have just came from Nara, where the deer can roam freely. bear who was clearly very distressed and would not stop walking in a tiny circle. elephant. There was about 5 in this enclosure that all stood in the same spot swaying in the same spot. With what we know about the intelligence and empathy these animals have, it was absolutely heartbreaking. this giraffe was in a bare enclosure with about 3 other giraffes. It was attempting to eat the leaves from the tree but because it was fenced off so could not eat any. To say me and my partner were in tears is an understatement. We feel absolutely heartbroken that we provided money to witness this animal suffering. Please do not make the same mistake as we did. Do not fund this...