The Kyoto City Zoo is a surprisingly good little zoo conveniently located in the Northern Higashiyama sightseeing district. It’s the perfect way to give the kids a break from temples and shrines.
Kyoto City Zoo © Chris Rowthorn
Reopened in 2015 after an extensive renovation, the Kyoto City Zoo is a great way to keep the kids entertained for a few hours. It’s on the east side of the Okazaki Museum District, in Northern Higashiyama. It’s not far from sights like Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian-jingu Shrine and the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (formerly Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art), so you can easily combine it with a visit to these places or one parent can check them out while the other takes the kids to the zoo.
The zoo’s collection contains all the “biggies” like lions, tigers, gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, hippos and giraffes. Japanese species include Japanese macaques and bears. There’s also a small but interesting reptile house. There’s even a small petting zoo and regularly scheduled events where kids can handle animals like guinea pigs.
The animal enclosures are well laid out and the entire zoo is pleasantly spacious and easy to explore. In addition to the animals on display, there’s also a fun little amusement park with rides that kids love (buy tokens for the rides from the vending machines in the middle of the amusement park). The Ferris wheel here gives you a great view over the Northern Higashiyama area.
Finally, there’s a proper sit-down restaurant above the main entrance, as well as a snack bar and a rest area with a huge collection of Japanese-language animal books. And on the opposite side of the zoo, there’s a small snack bar with an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy ice creams on a hot summer day.
English address:
Hoshoji-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku
Japanese Address:
左京区岡崎法勝寺町
Opening hours:
9am-5pm, last entry 4:30pm March- November
9am-4:30pm, last entry 4pm December-Februrary
Closed Monday and New Year holiday
Admission:
Adults: Y600
Junior high school students and younger: Free
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
3min walk from Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 5 from Kyoto Station
10min walk from Higashiyama Station, Tozai subway line
Telephone: 771-0210
Website:
Official Website
Near To Here:
Kyoto City Zoo is located in Kyoto’s Northern Higashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Northern Higashiyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
