Japan 2025

aramacao

aramacao

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I've already been to Japan in 2023 and I loved the trip. I mainly visited Tokyo and Osaka, and many zoos and aquariums, some in other parts of Japan (Atagawa, Izu, Fukushima, Oarai...). This time, in 2025, I want to go back with my girlfriend. The idea is to go back to Tokyo and Osaka, but also to move to other places that I don't know. Specifically, I want to go to Hiroshima, Kyoto and most likely Miyajima. I could also consider the option of Kobe or Nagoya (this option is more difficult). I know that in Hiroshima and Kyoto there are a zoo and an Aquarium in each of them and in Miyajima there is an aquarium. In Kobe there are 2 zoos and 3 aquariums and in Nagoya there are 2 aquariums and a zoo. Safe visits, apart from Osaka and Tokyo (without animals, I've already seen all the ones I wanted to in 2023 there) are Hiroshima and Kyoto, almost certainly Miyajima and more difficult Kobe and, above all, Nagoya. Any advice? Rare species in the parks of these cities? How long does each visit take?

Thank you very much in advance
 
aramacao said:
I've already been to Japan in 2023 and I loved the trip. I mainly visited Tokyo and Osaka, and many zoos and aquariums, some in other parts of Japan (Atagawa, Izu, Fukushima, Oarai...). This time, in 2025, I want to go back with my girlfriend. The idea is to go back to Tokyo and Osaka, but also to move to other places that I don't know. Specifically, I want to go to Hiroshima, Kyoto and most likely Miyajima. I could also consider the option of Kobe or Nagoya (this option is more difficult). I know that in Hiroshima and Kyoto there are a zoo and an Aquarium in each of them and in Miyajima there is an aquarium. In Kobe there are 2 zoos and 3 aquariums and in Nagoya there are 2 aquariums and a zoo. Safe visits, apart from Osaka and Tokyo (without animals, I've already seen all the ones I wanted to in 2023 there) are Hiroshima and Kyoto, almost certainly Miyajima and more difficult Kobe and, above all, Nagoya. Any advice? Rare species in the parks of these cities? How long does each visit take?

Thank you very much in advance
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Hi!

How long are you planning to stay in Japan?
What are you most interested in? Mammals? Fish?

Any specific kind of species you're particularly interested in?

Your plan looks cool, but you'll need a long vacation and a big budget!
 
I think Port of Nagoya Aquarium is down to its last emperor penguin.

Consider visiting Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, it has the largest killifish and ricefish collection known to any zoo/aquarium worldwide. When I was there in 2022, they also had small Indian civet, Cyclura nubila caymanensis, etc.
 
Toki said:
Hi!

How long are you planning to stay in Japan?
What are you most interested in? Mammals? Fish?

Any specific kind of species you're particularly interested in?

Your plan looks cool, but you'll need a long vacation and a big budget!
Click to expand...

The trip will be about 15 - 20 days long, probably closer to 15 than 20.

I'm interested in all groups of animals, especially rare species. It doesn't matter if they are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fishes. Obviously, there are star species that I've a very focused on (like the forest elephant in Asa). Fortunately, this will be my second time in Japan and I have already visited many important zoos and aquariums, so I can ignore now the zoos and aquariums in Tokyo, Osaka, Toba, Atagawa, Fukushima, Izu and Oarai, with many interesting species that I have already seen.

Travelling to Japan is currently very cheap compared to other destinations. In addition, public transport is excellent and allows you to get around quickly and easily.

Sicarius said:
I think Port of Nagoya Aquarium is down to its last emperor penguin.

Consider visiting Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, it has the largest killifish and ricefish collection known to any zoo/aquarium worldwide. When I was there in 2022, they also had small Indian civet, Cyclura nubila caymanensis, etc.
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I think I've seen most of those species in other zoos (not the killifish and ricefish). Unfortunately, I find it difficult to go to Nagoya, it's the most complicated destination on this trip, although I want to investigate it.
 
Honey badgers, jungle cats, small Indian civets, Cape genets, echidnas, bearded saki, black vulture, great curassow, blue throated macaw, chestnut fronted macaw, hyacinth macaw, Cuban iguana, Hispaniolan rhinoceros iguana, Sudan plated lizard, tons of ricefish and killfish. Oh, and a Komodo dragon went on display today, the first time one in Japan that has been displayed since Ueno gave it away to Singapore. Maybe volcano rabbit will return if Higashiyama manages to get one again.
 
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Kyoto has bush dogs, Reunion day gecko and a rare species of snake necked turtle but that's about it. Ever since the goral and plain chachalaca left (the latter still being kept the dingy Kokura Park Zoo), the zoo really doesn't have that much rarities.
 
Besides the obvious African forest elephants (one of them is expecting a baby), Asa keeps rare species like Cape buffalo and hyacinth macaw.
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
Honey badgers, jungle cats, small Indian civets, Cape genets, echidnas, bearded saki, black vulture, great curassow, blue throated macaw, chestnut fronted macaw, hyacinth macaw, Cuban iguana, Hispaniolan rhinoceros iguana, Sudan plated lizard, tons of ricefish and killfish. Oh, and a Komodo dragon went on display today, the first time one in Japan that has been displayed since Ueno gave it away to Singapore. Maybe volcano rabbit will return if Higashiyama manages to get one again.
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Where?
 
Do you know how much time it takes to see the zoos and aquariums in Hiroshima and Kyoto?
 
aramacao said:
Do you know how much time it takes to see the zoos and aquariums in Hiroshima and Kyoto?
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I spent about four hours at Asa, but depends how fast you visit places really. Spent just under an hour at Miyajima but only because it was just before closing; otherwise I would've stuck around for at least an hour more. I'd recommend visiting Kyoto rather than going to the zoo there, the city is lovely. I would say the same for Miyajima were the aquarium not as pleasant as it was...
 
amur leopard said:
I spent about four hours at Asa, but depends how fast you visit places really. Spent just under an hour at Miyajima but only because it was just before closing; otherwise I would've stuck around for at least an hour more. I'd recommend visiting Kyoto rather than going to the zoo there, the city is lovely. I would say the same for Miyajima were the aquarium not as pleasant as it was...
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Don't worry, I'll visit zoos and aquariums, but I also do normal tourism. I will enjoy the places and cities
 
If you're looking for interesting species, I recommend visiting Wakayama.

Susami Crustacean Aquarium has a rare collection of crustaceans, and Taiji Whale Museum has one of the most diverse cetacean collection in the world with 9 species.
 
Toki said:
If you're looking for interesting species, I recommend visiting Wakayama.

Susami Crustacean Aquarium has a rare collection of crustaceans, and Taiji Whale Museum has one of the most diverse cetacean collection in the world with 9 species.
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I have no plans to visit these places on this trip, but I appreciate the recommendation.

aardvark250 said:
kyoto is a small zoo that could be done in 2 or 3 hours, but yh there's so much more to kyoto and the zoo isnt that worth it imo.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I will obviously visit many places in the city, besides the zoo and the aquarium. I don't know whether to see both in one day or dedicate one morning to the zoo, another morning to the Aquarium and then see the city. What do you think?
 
Finally, I will probably extend my visit to Japan and that will allow me to visit a few more places with animals on the trip. The practically definitive list would be the following:

- Nagoya: Sea Life Nagoya, Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Higashima Zoo
- Hiroshima: Asa Zoo, Mariho Aquarium
- Miyajima: Miyajima Public Aquarium
- Kobe: Kobe Suma Seaworld, Kobe Animal Kingdom, Átoa, Minatoyama Aquarium, Kobe Ōji Zoo
- Kyoto: Kyoto Aquarium, Kyoto Zoo

What do you think? Any advice?
 
aramacao said:
Finally, I will probably extend my visit to Japan and that will allow me to visit a few more places with animals on the trip. The practically definitive list would be the following:

- Nagoya: Sea Life Nagoya, Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Higashima Zoo
- Hiroshima: Asa Zoo, Mariho Aquarium
- Miyajima: Miyajima Public Aquarium
- Kobe: Kobe Suma Seaworld, Kobe Animal Kingdom, Átoa, Minatoyama Aquarium, Kobe Ōji Zoo
- Kyoto: Kyoto Aquarium, Kyoto Zoo

What do you think? Any advice?
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If you're around Nagoya, I strongly recommend Japan Monkey Center. It probably has the most primate species around the world, including rare species.

The facility is outdated, but the animals are in relatively good condition.
 
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