Kobe Oji Zoo

Kobe Oji Zoo occupies a compact 8.5-hectare site in Nada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and is most celebrated as one of only a handful of Japanese zoos that maintain giant pandas. The panda exhibit — a dedicated house with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas — allows close observation of the animals at rest and during their brief active feeding periods and is the primary draw for most visitors. Beyond the pandas, the zoo maintains approximately 130 species across habitat zones representing African savanna, Asian rainforest, and Arctic regions, including African lions, white rhinoceros, Malayan tapir, Komodo dragon, Amur tiger, spectacled bear, sea lions, and various primate species. The layout follows a roughly circular path that allows visitors to cover the entire zoo in two to three hours without backtracking. Animal feeding demonstrations and performances are scheduled at regular intervals throughout the day — including tiger feeding, sea lion shows, and elephant bathing — with the daily schedule posted at the main entrance. A petting and feeding area in the central zone allows direct contact with smaller domestic animals including goats and rabbits, making it particularly popular with young children. The zoo's mature trees and green space give it a garden-like atmosphere, especially in cherry blossom season from late March to early April when the grounds become a popular picnic destination alongside the hanami crowds. A summer night zoo programme operates during warm months, allowing visitors to observe nocturnal animal behaviours after dark — an experience rarely available at Japanese zoos. At 600 yen for adults with free admission for visitors under 16, Kobe Oji Zoo represents excellent value for families visiting the Kobe region.