Japan Snake Center — Attraction in Ota

ヘビ類を専門に展示している動物園ですが、日本蛇族学術研究所が運営管理していることもあり、研究設備としての側面も有しています。飼育・展示されている動物はヘビだけ、というわけではなく、一部でカメとワニが展示されています。 敷地内に個別の展示施設が建てられており、各施設の展示は、大蛇や毒蛇、熱帯に生息する蛇類というように大まかに分類されています。純粋に展示されているヘビを鑑賞するだけでも楽しめますが、ほぼ毎日のように、どこかしらの施設で、採毒やお食事タイム、ふれあい等のミニイベントが催され、特に子供たちに人気を博しています（各施設の入り口に、その日のミニイベントの開始時刻と場所が掲示されているので、それで確認するといでしょう）。熱帯蛇類温室では、ヘビと記念撮影できるコーナーがあり、随時受け付けています。 一方で、各施設ともに老朽化が著しいです。変温動物を展示していることもあり、ほとんどの展示施設では空調を入れることが出来ません。そのため夏は非常に暑い中で鑑賞しなければなりません（扇風機は常に稼働しています）。この施設は冬でも開場しているのですが、ヘビは冬は冬眠するため、一部は展示されないことがあります。また、小高い丘の上に作られた動物園であるため、各施設の行き来も坂道やスロープを行き来する必要があります。車椅子等の障碍を持つ方でも気軽に利用できる動物園ではありますが、一部で傾斜の急な傾斜もあり、車椅子の方単身での利用は少々苦労するでしょう。一方で、動物園にしては喫煙スペースが比較的多いのが特徴的です。 日本で唯一の、且つ世界中のヘビを飼育していることもあり、世界からも注目を集めている動物園なのですが、各展示の説明はほぼ日本語のみで、英語などの説明の併記は皆無に等しいことに注意が必要です。

The zoo specializes in exhibiting snakes, but it also has an aspect of a research facility, as it's operated and managed by the Japan Institute of Snake Science and Technology. Not only snakes are bred and exhibited, but also turtles and crocodiles are exhibited in some parts of the park. Individual exhibition facilities have been built on the premises, and the exhibits in each facility are roughly categorized as giant snakes, poisonous snakes, and tropical snakes. While visitors can simply enjoy viewing the snakes on display, there are also mini-events held almost every day at one of the facilities, such as poison collection, meal times, and petting sessions, which are especially popular with children (the starting time and location of the day's mini-events are posted at the entrance of each facility, so visitors should check there), (The entrance to each facility has the start time and location of the day's mini-events, so it is best to check there). In the Tropical Snake Conservatory, there is a corner where visitors can take pictures with snakes, which are available at any time. On the other hand, all of the facilities are aging rapidly. Due in part to the fact that the museum exhibits animals with variable temperatures, most of the exhibition facilities do not have air-conditioning. As a result, visitors must view the exhibits in very hot conditions during the summer (fans are always running). This facility is open in winter, but some of the snakes hibernate in the winter, so some of the exhibits may not be displayed. Also, since the zoo is built on a small hill, visitors must go up and down hills and ramps to get to and from each facility. Although the zoo is easily accessible to visitors with disabilities such as wheelchairs, some of the slopes are very steep, and it may be a bit difficult for a single wheelchair user to use the zoo. On the other hand, the zoo features a relatively large number of smoking areas for a zoo. The zoo is the only zoo in Japan that keeps snakes from all over the world and is attracting attention from around the world, but it should be noted that explanations of each exhibit are almost exclusively in Japanese, with no explanations in English or...

It's a rundown place that's highly interesting. The place is actually pretty big, which I think is the issue. I wish they would downscale and renovate. They have a few outdoor places which are modeled after normal Japanese countryside places. I could spot several snakes there. It's really helpful to teach your brain to recognize snakes in the wild. The inside places are not very good unfortunately. It's easy to see the snakes but there's hardly anything else. If they would renew themselves I think this could be a fantastic place. I came to learn about poisonous snakes of Japan, as I go hiking, parks and to general...

A fun place to explore. I agree with another review stating that it’s rundown. It is, but that doesn’t take away from the things you learn and the experiences you can have. They have a lot of reptiles and animals, and I like the demonstrations. There’s even a little variety gift shop. I wish the snakes habitats were a little better. The staff are well informed and are friendly. You can even hold and pet a lizard and a snake. It was my first time holding a snake and I was very scared, but the snake and staff were nice, which made me feel relaxed. I want...