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Last update: 21 Oct 2026
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Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens Summary
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| Public website: | www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp |
Japan – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A
Type A:
 Read about power adapters |
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| Currency: |
Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places. |
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| Public drinking: | Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections. |
| New Year (January) |
One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead. |
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| Golden Week (April-May) |
The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport. |
| Obon (August) |
A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance) |
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| Taxi apps: | Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi |
| Other: | Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Japan
Closed Mondays (next day if Monday is a holiday) and 29 December to 1 January
Cherry blossoms late March to early April; autumn leaves mid November to early December
Don't miss
- 🗼 Ride up Higashiyama Sky Tower for views over Nagoya
- 🌺 Stroll through the historic botanical gardens and greenhouse
- 🐨 Meet the koalas at one of Japan's best zoos
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Higashiyama Zoo is on a hill in eastern Nagoya and combines a large zoo with a botanical garden in a single ticket. The grounds cover about 0.6 km² and are laid out along winding paths, so the visit feels more like a park walk than a standard zoo trip. The zoo keeps around 450 species, which makes it one of the largest collections in Japan.
Koalas are the symbol of the zoo and have their own Koala House. Other highlights include a western lowland gorilla named Shabani, whose handsome looks made him a local celebrity. The Asian elephant house has a Sri Lankan theme. A medaka fish museum shows many varieties of the small freshwater fish while the Asian tropical forest area shows animals in a more natural setting. Giraffes, polar bears, kangaroos and lions are among the other animals you can see.
The botanical garden covers the natural slopes beside the zoo and holds thousands of plant species. A large greenhouse displays tropical and subtropical flowers while its front building is a protected cultural property. Outdoors you'll find camellia and rose gardens, flower fields and a Japanese garden around Okuike Pond. A corridor of about 1,000 cherry trees blooms in spring while the same area turns red and gold in autumn.
Plan on four hours or more to see most of it. The hillside has some steep sections, so comfortable shoes help. Several restaurants and snack stands operate inside while a small amusement area and the Higashiyama Sky Tower are also within the grounds.
Why travel to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens?
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
Knowledge before you go
- The zoo is closed every Monday, so plan around it.
- The zoo closes at 16:50 and tickets stop at 16:30, so arrive in the morning.
- Adult entry is JP¥500 (£2.37) and a combined ticket with Higashiyama Sky Tower is JP¥640 (£3.03).
- Weekends and holidays are very crowded, so a weekday morning is by far the calmest time to visit.
How to travel to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The underground is the easiest way to reach the zoo. On the Higashiyama Line, Higashiyama Koen Station is a 3 minute walk from Exit 3. Hoshigaoka Station is a 7 minute walk from Exit 6. From Nagoya Station the ride takes about 20 minutes and from Sakae about 10 minutes. From Centrair Airport (NGO), take the Meitetsu line to Nagoya Station in about 30 minutes and change to the underground. A taxi from Nagoya Station takes around 20 minutes depending on traffic. By car, the zoo has a large paid car park for passenger cars and buses and fees are paid in advance. Weekends and holidays are crowded and parking can fill, so the underground is usually the better choice.
Access summary
- From Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO): 30‑min train to Nagoya Station; transfer to local bus (15 min).
- From Tokyo (Narita or Haneda): Shinkansen to Nagoya, 1.5–2 hrs; from Osaka: JR line, 1.5 hrs.
- By ferry from nearby coastal towns is uncommon; most tourists use train or car.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The zoo is a day visit and no lodging is offered on site. Most visitors stay near Nagoya Station or in Sakae, both on the Higashiyama underground line that serves the zoo. Nagoya Station has the most business hotels and is next to the Shinkansen. Sakae is livelier in the evening with shopping and restaurants while the underground from there to Higashiyama Koen takes only about 10 minutes. Staying near the zoo itself gives you little choice, so most people use the underground to travel in from the city. Hotels near the Higashiyama line stations can be handy if you want an early start. School holidays, cherry blossom time and Golden Week are the busiest periods, so book rooms early.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Food around Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Food is available inside the grounds, with restaurants, cafes and snack stands between the zoo and the garden. Expect simple Japanese meals, noodles and snacks, with crowds at lunchtime on weekends.
You can bring a picnic and eat in the garden area if you prefer. Vending machines sell drinks around the grounds. Outside the gates you'll find fewer places to eat than in central Nagoya, so most visitors eat inside.
For a local meal afterwards, head to Sakae or Nagoya Station for Nagoya specialities like hitsumabushi and miso katsu. Vegetarians should ask about ingredients since broths often use fish stock.
Packing recommendations for Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
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Camera
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Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
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Reusable water bottle
🍫
Energy snacks
nuts, cereal bars
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Waterproof jacket
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Light jacket
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small rucksack
🧼
Hand sanitiser
🗺️
Map or GPS device
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
plasters, antiseptic wipes
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Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
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Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
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Daily expenses in the region are around 45% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
The zoo is very safe, with low crime and staff on the grounds. Summers are hot and humid so heat is the biggest risk. Crowds on busy days can make it hard to keep children close. Stay behind the barriers around animals.
Accessibility
The grounds are large and hilly, with long walks, slopes and some stairs between areas. The zoo can be tiring for people with limited mobility or small children. Check with the zoo about wheelchair or pushchair hire and the easiest routes.
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