Hodosan Zoo — Attraction in Nagatoro

It was very upsetting to visit this zoo and I don't recommend bringing sensitive children here. One of mine cried when she saw the condition of the animals, particularly the three legged deer (pictured) who is on its own and can do nothing but sit or stand. Some of the Japanese monkeys fought constantly and some, including a baby, had scars and/or fresh bloody wounds. Many of the rabbits have eye infections. It was a really horrendous experience.

However, the young staff we talked to were very nice and I hope they can work to make the zoo a better place for the animals. Also, they have signs up to say they are improving some of the enclosures. And I give it two stars instead of one with the hope that the animals came to the zoo injured and that their injuries aren't from lack of care. With the Japanese monkeys who had fresh bloody wounds: maybe this happens in...

ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!!!!!! DONT GO HERE!!!! Only go here if you want to cry from sadness at how badly the animals are treated here. The sheep was STARVED, the fox was depressed, the turtle was DEAD, the rabbits were confined to tiny cages and one of them had NO WATER IN 35 DEGREE HEAT!!! The monkeys had no trees and had metal poles to play with that burnt their feet because of the heat. There is no enrichment for the animals. They are all sad and depressed, locked in a tiny cage. Some of them exhibited severe neurological damage due to the confinement - walking around in circles and pacing nonstop. This is so heartbreaking. SHAME ON THIS PLACE!!! It should be shut down...

This is a cute zoo that is normal for Japanese standards, but quite upsetting for Westerners. The animal enclosures were small and dirty. The giant tortoises were kept on cobblestones with barely any space. There is a fox near the middle who looks to be neglected and constantly looking for people to interact with. The monkeys were fighting all the time, with baby monkeys and adults getting into conflict.

If you believe in animal rights, do not visit. If you are looking for a place to gape and gawk at monkeys fighting, make the hike to...