This is a zoo and safari park in the Nasu highlands where visitors view animals such as lions and tigers from vehicles on a drive-through circuit, alongside walk-through sections with smaller animals. It's built around the cooler mountain climate of the Nasu area, distinct from a typical lowland zoo.
Nasu Safari Park is a drive-through and walk-through safari zoo on the Nasu highlands in Nasu-machi, Tochigi, home to lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, and other large mammals across a savanna-style driving zone and a separate walking zone with smaller enclosures and a petting area. Visitors can drive their own car through the safari zone, ride a park safari bus, or take a caged jungle bus for closer views of predators such as lions and tigers. The walking zone includes a monkey area, a section for feeding giraffes and other herbivores by hand, and a baby-animal petting corner popular with young children. A full visit covering both the driving safari and walking zone takes 2 to 4 hours. Feeding sessions for various animals are scheduled at set times through the day, and weekday mornings tend to offer calmer animal activity before larger tour groups arrive. From April through October, the park runs a Night Safari on Saturdays and holidays, when nocturnal animal behavior can be observed after dark, a distinct experience from the daytime visit. The park is closed on Thursdays outside of Golden Week, summer break, and the New Year holiday period, so checking the calendar before visiting on a weekday is worthwhile.
| Admission | Adult ¥2,800 ($17.61) junior high school and older · Child ¥1,900 ($11.95) ages 3–elementary school |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00AM–5:00PM (last entry 4:15PM); closed Thursdays (except Golden Week, summer break, New Year) |
| Typical visit | 2–4 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings for animal feeding sessions; Night Safari runs Saturdays and holidays April–October |
| Getting there | From JR Nasu-Shiobara Station: shuttle bus or taxi, approx. 40 min; car recommended (Nasu IC on Tohoku Expressway, 20 min) |
| Address | 3523 Takaku, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 325-0302 |
Location
3523 Takaku, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 325-0302
37.0672, 140.0219 View on map
Highlights
- Drive-through and walking safari zones with lions, tigers, and giraffes
- Caged jungle bus rides for close views of predator enclosures
- Hand-feeding stations for giraffes and other herbivores
- Seasonal Night Safari on Saturdays and holidays, April to October
Tips for visiting
- Check that the visit day is not a Thursday closure outside peak holiday periods
- Ride the caged jungle bus for closer predator views if not driving a personal car through the safari zone
- Arrive for morning feeding sessions when animals are most active
- Book Night Safari tickets separately if visiting April through October on a Saturday or holiday
When to visit
Weekday mornings offer the calmest animal activity during feeding sessions; the seasonal Night Safari (April–October, Saturdays and holidays) offers a distinct after-dark visit.
Accessibility
The walking zone has paved paths suitable for wheelchairs, while the driving safari zone can be experienced from a personal vehicle or the park's bus without walking; some feeding platforms have steps.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Nasu Safari Park take?
Covering both the driving safari zone and the walking zone typically takes 2 to 4 hours.
Is Nasu Safari Park worth it for kids?
Yes, the hand-feeding stations and petting corner are specifically geared toward young children and families.
Is photography allowed at Nasu Safari Park?
Photography is allowed throughout the park, including from personal vehicles and the jungle bus, though flash may be restricted near certain animal enclosures.