July 2024 Japan trip

Jakub

Jakub

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Hi guys,
I was inspired by @Sicarius and @aramacao and also by a great amount of rarities, off course by the beauty of the country, to make a trip in Japan in July this year, with a friend of mine. I know, not a best time of year ( heat, humidity, rain ) but as I work as a teacher, I don't have any other possilibity to make such a trip ( there are school summer vacation in July and August in Czech republic ). For interest, my trip will be as follows:

1 day - arrival in Tokyo, Inokashira Zoo
2 day - Tama Zoo
3 day - Zoorasia, mayby Sea Paradise Yokohoma
4 day - Sea World Kamogawa
5 day - Ueno Zoo
6 day - Nagoya Zoo + Aquarium
7 day - Toba Aquarium
8 day - Taiji Whale Museum
9 day - Osaka - Tennoji Zoo + Aquarium
10 day - Hiroshima - Asa Zoo
11 day - Hirakawa Zoo - still Amami rabbit ?
12 day - way back to Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya
13 day - back to Europe:-)

Mayby a bit ambitious plan:-), but as a zoochatter and with first and probably last visit in Japan, I'd like to see as much as possible. It will be great to meet some other zoochatters during this trip off course. And I'd like to kindly ask you for any tips and advice, regarding travel in Japan especially ( I'm bit afraid of it, don't want to get lost in Japan), off course I count with buying JR Pass - I'm bit confused about it:-). So I would really appereciate any advice and help to make this trip more comfortable.
Thanks in advance,
Jakub
 
If I'm not mistaken, the Amami rabbits are now permanently on show at the nocturnal house. I have seen a few pictures in the last few months.
We combined Hirakawa Zoo with Kumamoto Zoo, the holder of the last golden snub-nosed monkey in Japan.

What is Nagoya Zoo + Aquarium? If it is referring to Higashiyama Zoo, then I can only say yes! This place has the largest collection of killifishes and livebearers worldwide. In Nagoya there is also the Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium, home to few rare fish species and of course emperor penguins. To my knowledge, Sea World Kamogawa has no unique species in its collection so I would alter the schedule and add Port of Nagoya public aquarium instead. It all depends on your interest in fishes too, because Tokyo Sea Life Park or Aquamarine Fukushima are world class aquariums that are currently not on your list.
 
@Sicarius thanks for your reply. And yes, I meant Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium and Higashiyama Zoo. I'm considering to include Tokyo Sea Life also, Aquamarine Fukushima, after the the death of Ribbon Seal is not a priority destination. I'm not a fish fan:). Thanks for your advice. I'll send you PM about some species you have seen bhs if you don't mind it.
Jakub
 
Jakub said:
@Sicarius thanks for your reply. And yes, I meant Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium and Higashiyama Zoo. I'm considering to include Tokyo Sea Life also, Aquamarine Fukushima, after the the death of Ribbon Seal is not a priority destination. I'm not a fish fan:). Thanks for your advice. I'll send you PM about some species you have seen bhs if you don't mind it.
Jakub
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My pleasure!
 
Great schedule! It seems that you've covered all the major zoos, but may I suggest Kobe Animal Kingdom? I have yet to visit but I've heard great things such as striped possum and Miyako Grass lizard. It is very close to Osaka, so it may be possible.
 
I'm also currently planning a Japan trip, for April of 2025. Looks like you're planning to hit most of the other Tokyo-vicinity zoos that I will, but I figure it might be worth it to bring up Saitama Children's Zoo since it's got a handful of appealing rarities. Quokka is the major draw (I know these are also in Germany now though), but they also have Chacoan mara, bush dog, plains viscacha, yellow-footed rock wallaby, Pallas's cat, southern pudu, gundi, feathertail glider, pygmy slow loris, bush hyrax... I'm sure some of those are probably more common in Europe, but for me they're all either exciting new life list entries or rarities I won't have seen for some time by then.

Either way, I'm very excited to have another Japan trip thread to follow!
 
Hi guys,
does anybody know if Kamogawa Sea World still holds Bearded Seals and are on-display ? They would be the only reason for visit as I was told, another rarity, Caspian Seals, if still holds, are only off-display:(
Thanks, Jakub
 
Hi my friends,
so I decided to postpone my trip, mainly because of the weather condition during hot, humid and wet Japan summer, which could make the trip less comfortable, so I will visit during December/January period and changed itinerary a bit. As far as I know, there is a closure time between December 29 and January 1 in Japanese zoos, but the Aquarium in Osaka, Toba, Taiji should stay opened, the schedule is as follows:

December 21 - arrival in Tokyo
December 22 - Zoorasia - may I ask you, what is the best way to get to the zoo from Yakohama station ? I will be using JR Pass
December 23 - Tama Zoo
December 24 - Ueno Zoo
December 25 - Toyohashi Zoo
December 26 - Port of Nagoya Aquarium
December 27 - Asa Zoo - may I know the best way to get there from Hiroshima station ?
December 28 - Hirakawa Zoo
December 29 - Osaka Aquarium
December 30 - Taiji Whale Museeum
December 31 - Toba Aquarium + ISE Sea Paradise
January 1 - Ataqawa + Izoo
January 2 - Kamogawa Sea World
January 3 - Inokashira Zoo and flying back to Europe

I am used to the climate in central Europe, so for such a trip I guess it will be more comfortable. Any tips and suggestions would be much appreciated.
Jakub
 
If you visit Japan in winter, you might consider skipping Zoorasia. The birds are not exhibited during winter to prevent avian influenza, and the proboscis monkeys are rarely exhibited during this season.
 
@Veno, thanks for your reply. Can some of the birds be seen in pavilions ? No problem with Proboscis Monkey as I have seen them in Apenheul and Singapore Zoo.
 
Veno said:
If remember correctly, some of the pheasants were housed in cages lined with very fine mesh to prevent wild birds from entering, allowing them to be visible even during winter.
Click to expand...

Last winter, the whole tundra area was closed due to the avian flu
 
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