Nasu Animal Kingdom — Attraction in Nasu

This is a better zoo than most, but it's still a zoo. The feelings of the animals are not considered above the amount of money they can make. Ethically speaking, it's questionable. So after you look at the cute animals, you can eat a cute animal barbecue. And you can go fishing. :(

They had a conservation room, but the animals really looked unhappy. The partridges are forced (like at Ueno Zoo) into seasonal winter and summer plumage at all times of year.

There was another room where they had a cockatoo attached to a stick. There were no staff members around, and he really wanted some attention. He was a very friendly bird, and he tried to climb on my hand, but he was attached really closely to this very small area of a stick. He looked really sad. That was the straw that broke the camel's back; I started crying. I always cry at zoos, because the animals look so miserable usually. That's why don't go anymore.

But this place was advertised as a place where you can interact with the animals freely, and it looks like a lot of fun in the pictures. That was not my experience here with any animals except for the cats and dogs on display. Those you could freely touch.

As far as the facilities themselves, it's is really pretty, and a built in a beautiful area underneath a lovely mountain. It's pretty much in the wilderness. However, it's split into two areas separated by quite a bit of space. So you have to take either a bus, hike, or take lift/bus. The "lift" takes you down. From there you have to hike up another big hill. It's best to take the lift on the way back from the farm area.

The farm animals looked happy, and sometimes for pictures you can interact with the animals. They don't charge for pictures, that was nice.

Some good things: There is a dog run. The shows were really fun, but again, more for people than for animals. The staff were friendly despite the Golden Week crowds. They did give some of the animals a break from interacting with people, but there were few hiding spots. The food was good, and not expensive

All in all, it just like a place for people with dogs and kids to come and hang out and look at animals. There is a limited sense of thoughtfulness as far as the animals themselves...

I went here last year and it was terrible. Im not a zoo person in general because I love animals but I was taken here by my cousin.

I saw two seals that were in an extremely small area with barely any water; there was just enough for them to submerge their body — not swim. The water looked very murky and green.

I also saw what I think was a reindeer. The hooves of the adult reindeer were definitely way too long and needed trimming. It also looked like it was on the semi malnourished side. I was able to see some of its ribs. I'm not a vet or anything but i've always loved animals and I have studied about them through many videos and all I know is none of this felt right to me. I felt very heartbroken for the animals.

The kangaroo looked very depressed in the corner and I'm really hoping they let it out at some point every day because that is not a big enclosure at all. Same with the reindeer.

I also saw a tiger which I dont have a picture of but I swear, its enclosure was way too small. It kept pacing back and forth repeatedly, and books/videos have told me that usually means the tiger is either stressed, bored or frustrated. I wouldnt want to waste a penny on buying a ticket for this zoo. I personally do NOT want to...

Do NOT come here on a weekend or a public holiday. The place gets superrrr packed and you’ll barely be able to enjoy yourself! Especially if you’re coming on the shuttle bus from nasu-shiobara station. I took the shuttle bus and the bus arrived 1 hour 15 mins late due to there being a jam, and once inside, the place was simply too packed to even enjoy.

The staff while friendly also seemed ill equipped to cope with the crowd. There are lots of nice facilities and animals but you’ll only be able to enjoy it if you go on a regular weekday. You’ll also need to queue for over an hour just to see one of the key highlights “the cats” show.

Do also note that the animal kingdom is split into two - and to get to one half to the other, you either have to take another bus (during busy times the wait for the bus can be over 30 mins), or do a hike through the woods (15 mins hike if you can move fast).

Overall, I can’t say this place is...