Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
東山動植物園
Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-10-07 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
Our guide
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, is a joint zoo and botanical garden established in 1937, with an amusement park as well. The zoo keeps more than 450 species, the most of any in Japan, and its koala exhibit logo was designed in 1984 by the manga artist Akira Toriyama. The botanical garden has wild plants, a greenhouse, an insect hall and a Japanese garden, and the Higashiyama Sky Tower offers views of Nagoya from its observation decks, with a restaurant 100 m up. As of 2010 it had the second-highest attendance of any zoo in Japan, after Ueno Zoo.
Hoshigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Line is about 950 m from the point this page is mapped to. Our source says it is closed on Mondays; we have not checked hours or fees.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens Main Gate (2), Kameiri Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2021 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Emerald Tree Boa in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2018 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Cycluranubila Caymanensis in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2018 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Chitals in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2021 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Chilean Flamingo in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2012 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Chapman's Zebra in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2012 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- California Sea Lions in Higashiyama Zoo (1), Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2021 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Black-tailed Prairie Dog in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2018 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Bald Eagle in Higashiyama Zoo, Tashiro-cho Chikusa Ward Nagoya 2021 — Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Amusement Park of Higashiyama Zoo from Higashiyama Sky Tower — KKPCW · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
What this place is
The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (東山動植物園, Higashiyama Dōshokubutsuen) is a joint zoo and botanical garden located at Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan. It is open every day except Monday, and charges a modest admission fee. Established in 1937, the Higashiyama Zoo is one of Asia's largest attractions, featuring a botanical garden and an amusement park. The logo for the koala exhibit was designed by manga artist Akira Toriyama in 1984. It keeps more than 450 species, which is the largest number in Japan. The botanical gardens feature wild flora, as well as a greenhouse, insect hall, and a Japanese garden. The Higashiyama Sky Tower allows visitors a view of Nagoya from its observation decks, and also features a restaurant 100 metres above ground. As of 2010, Higashiyama Zoo had the 2nd most annual park visits of any zoo in Japan, behind only the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.
Visitor information checked: 2026-10-07 · Official visitor information
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Animals
Nearby station
Nearby station: Hoshigaoka (Higashiyama Line), about 950 m from the spot in a straight line.
Worked out on 2026-09-14 from this place’s map position, using HeartRails Express station data and station names from Wikidata. The distance is a straight line, not a walking route, and says nothing about buses, transfers or timetables — plan the trip on Google Maps.
Traveler reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how it went.