Tennoji Zoo in Osaka offers a decent variety of animals and a convenient location near popular attractions. The enclosures allow visitors to see animals up close, but some areas could be improved for better animal welfare. It’s a good spot for families and casual visitors, though it may feel a bit outdated compared to modern zoos. The affordable entry fee makes it an accessible option for a short visit. Overall, it’s a decent zoo but could benefit from more enhancements to its facilities.
I visited Tennoji Zoo recently, and it was a delightful experience overall. The zoo is clean and well-maintained, providing a comfortable environment for both the animals and visitors. It’s a great spot for families, especially those with kids, as it offers an educational and fun outing with plenty to see and explore.
While the zoo has a good variety of animals, some areas were under renovation during my visit. This meant that a few exhibits were temporarily closed, and some animals weren’t visible. It seems that spotting certain animals depends on timing and luck, but that adds a bit of unpredictability to the experience, which can be fun in its own way.
Despite the renovations, the zoo has done a commendable job in keeping the grounds organized and welcoming. The paths are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of shaded areas, which is great for taking breaks, especially on warmer days. The enclosures are well-kept and designed to provide a natural habitat for the animals, which is always reassuring to see.
One of the highlights of the visit is how family-friendly the zoo is. Kids can enjoy seeing the animals up close while learning about their habits and habitats. There are also interactive elements that make the experience more engaging for younger visitors.
Overall, Tennoji Zoo is worth a visit if you’re in Osaka, especially if you’re traveling with children. It’s a pleasant way to spend a few hours and a nice escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
This is the easiest zoo to visit. You can see a wide variety of animals here. I recommend getting a map at the entrance.
The zoo entrance fee is 500 yen. Accordingly, it is easier to visit if you follow the roads.
If you have a suitcase or bag with you, there are lockers at the entrance that you can use for 500-800 yen.
It’s my daughter 2nd visit, 7 yrs apart..but my first visit. Am truly amazed they able to carve out a huge piece of land to plant a zoo in the middle of city. Place is clean and amenities are plenty and strategically place. Quite a number of animals are made available… I love their hippo (it’s huge) and off course their polar bear..ops their red panda too… even though it’s weekday.. many parents took their kids to enjoy and appreciate the animals.. one point worth mentioning, the curator did a great job in placements of viewing points..it gives you great visibility and closeup views of the animals…definitely recommended place to go..
P/s..after the journey…there’s a great place to savor their local food nearby….
Entry was easy.
The zoo was clean and had bins and vending machines.
The gift store and cafe were good.
Stamps were great! Statues were fabulous. The feeding times were good and quite a few of the animals were active (red panda, polar bear, zebra, giraffe monkeys, penguins, hippos etc.).
Some animals had been moved due to their incoming winter hibernations. The only improvement would be on the reptile house. Some of the enclosures looked quite small and others a bit run down.
Overall, great day and spent about 3-4hours.
