What other travelers are saying about Osaka Tennoji Zoo
Tennoji Zoo (est. 1915) is one of Japan’s oldest zoological parks. The zoo benefits from a very central location inside Tennoji Park, which makes it easy to visit and a convenient stop within Osaka. However, my overall experience was mixed. The zoo occupies a relatively small area, and many of the enclosures feel limited in size, with several animals kept on concrete surfaces rather than in naturalistic environments such as sand, soil, or vegetation. This creates the impression that the habitats are not particularly enriching for the animals.
The animal collection itself is quite limited, often consisting of just one representative of a species (for example, one giraffe, one wolf, one rhinoceros), which reduces the sense of observing social behavior that is typically visible in larger groups.
The most impressive areas were the Humboldt penguin pool, which seemed more modern and provided animals with better-designed space and activity possibilities.
A significant section of the zoo is currently under renovation, and I hope that these ongoing works will lead to more modern, spacious, and animal-friendly habitats in the near future.
Tennoji Zoo has historical value and strong potential due to its location, but further modernization will be essential to improve both visitor experience and the welfare of the animals.
The admission fee is 500 yen for adults, with discounted or free entry available for children and students.
Extremely busy on a Sunday afternoon with a sizable queue to purchase an entrance ticket which was a very reasonable ¥500. The zoo has quite a few animals on display, but the sheer amount of people was overwhelming. Whenever an animal would come out of hiding, a huge crowd would quickly form to the point you could not even see it. As such, I ended up not seeing some of the animals at all. I would recommend coming earlier in the day, or on a weekday, if possible.
I went to the Zoo of Tennoji, Osaka, Japan.
I think it's really worth to pay ¥500 as entrance fee. We can see lots of birds species and other animals either. If you want to the place that won't cost a lot for sight seeing, I would like to recommend it.
My favorite was red pandas, penguins and seals. They were so cute and playing all the time. 🥰
A nice place for the animal lovers 🥰🥰
HOPE you enjoy these photos and can make decision.
A good zoo with well kept animals that never stops improving. It has a proactive white bear and small red pandas with a lot of space to roam. The only thing I feel guilty about it are the eagles. They don't deserve captivity. And can't be provided with the space needed to feel the flight.
It was affordable, so we got to enter without spending too much, and without a line! We got to see a lot of animals, but I couldnt shake the sad feeling abt them being so sad, especially the monkeys. The tiger and wolves were also on the slimmer side. It was fun overall, but hopefully I can come back and see healthier and happier animals
Tennoji Zoo is considered worthwhile for those interested in zoology and conservation. It's one of the oldest zoos in Japan and offers a unique blend of traditional and modern zoo practices, providing insights into animal care and conservation efforts. The zoo's efforts to recreate natural habitats for its animals, such as the African Savanna zone, are particularly noteworthy.
The duration of your visit can vary significantly based on your level of interest in each exhibit and any time spent at interactive or educational programs. While the average visit lasts between 2 to 4 hours, animal enthusiasts or those with children might find themselves spending more time to fully engage with the zoo's offerings.
Tennoji Zoo covers an area of 11 hectares (around 27 acres).
The nearest station is Tennoji Station, which is a short walk from the zoo.
