July 2024 Japan trip

Are the Tibetan Macaques still being kept in Zoorasia and to be seen in winter time ?
 
I didn't know this but on the day I went to Tennoji Zoo back in December 19th, I was luckily enough to see the birds of the zoo before every bird enclosure of the zoo was closed on 20th. I think a few other zoos did the same thing that Tennoji Zoo did, so I suggest re-arranging your dates unless you are set on arriving in Japan on the 21st.
 
I would have a question regarding bird aviaries and exhibition during winter in Japanese zoos. To prevent them from bird flu, are the birds moved into their indoor accommodation ? Are the bird's pavilions accessible for visitors in winter ? (Ueno). And one more question - do the bears hibernate in zoos during winter ? Mayby in southern zoos they activate year round, I would be happy to see both Hokkaido brown bears and Japanese black bear during my trip:)
 
＞may I ask you, what is the best way to get to the zoo from Yakohama station ? I will ＞be using JR Pass
Depending on your starting location, you have several options.
①Where will you stay in Tokyo on the 21st? The Shonan-Shinjuku Line is connected to the Sotetsu Line. Get off at Tsurugamine and take the bus bound for Zoorasia.

②There is an airport bus from Haneda to Futamatagawa. Another option is to take a taxi from Futamatagawa Station. (You can also take the Sotetsu Line from Futamatagawa Station to Tsurugamine Station)

③From Yokohama Station, take the Sotetsu Line to Tsurugamine Station and transfer to the bus bound for Zoorasia.

※Zoorasia is close to Shin-Yokohama Station, so it's convenient for traveling to Toyohashi. Please reconsider your schedule.
(Take the Sotetsu Line bound for Shin-Yokohama from Tsurugamine Station)
 
Hello my friends,
as my trip to Japan is slowly approaching, I'd like to present you our final travel plan. As I wrote in my previous post, I postponed the trip from July to December/January.

December 20 - arrival in Tokyo
December 21 - Inokashira Zoo
December 22 - Zoorasia or Saitama Children's Zoo
December 23 - Tama Zoo
December 24 - Port of Nagoya Aquarium + Toyohashi Zoo
December 25 - Higashiyama Zoo
December 26 - Japanese Monkey Centre
December 27 - Asa Zoo
December 28 - Hirakawa Zoo
December 29 - Osaka Aquarium
December 30 - Taiji Whale Museum
December 31 - Toba Aquarium +ISE Sea Paradise
January 1 - Atagawa Zoo + Izoo
January 2 - Kamogawa Sea World
January 3 - Ueno Zoo + flying back to Europe

Any advise or tips would be much appreciated, also it would be nice to meet some Japanese zoochaters and zoo nerds during our trip;)

Jakub
 

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What exactly do you seek in Saitama and Toyohashi Zoo/Non-hoi Park? I assume you already saw quokka at Wilhelma and you can see Amami spiny rat at Hirakawa. I assume you want to see the Bornean white-bearded Abbott’s gibbons at Toyohashi.
 
Jakub said:
Hello my friends,
as my trip to Japan is slowly approaching, I'd like to present you our final travel plan. As I wrote in my previous post, I postponed the trip from July to December/January.

December 20 - arrival in Tokyo
December 21 - Inokashira Zoo
December 22 - Zoorasia or Saitama Children's Zoo
December 23 - Tama Zoo
December 24 - Port of Nagoya Aquarium + Toyohashi Zoo
December 25 - Higashiyama Zoo
December 26 - Japanese Monkey Centre
December 27 - Asa Zoo
December 28 - Hirakawa Zoo
December 29 - Osaka Aquarium
December 30 - Taiji Whale Museum
December 31 - Toba Aquarium +ISE Sea Paradise
January 1 - Atagawa Zoo + Izoo
January 2 - Kamogawa Sea World
January 3 - Ueno Zoo + flying back to Europe

Any advise or tips would be much appreciated, also it would be nice to meet some Japanese zoochaters and zoo nerds during our trip;)

Jakub
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This looks as if it will be a phenomenal trip, with lots of zoos and aquariums. You could pack even more in if you wanted, with tons of smaller places in the Tokyo region, but of course a lot of zoo nerds wouldn't want to have too many stops. As someone who would like to do a zoo tour of Japan one day, I would love for you to eventually type up some reviews. :)
 
@PossumRoach
You are absolutely right about the Gibbons in Toyohashi:). Yes, I saw Quokkas in Wilhelma and also in Australian collections, I was looking for some zoos in Tokyo area and Saitama sprang in my mind. I might swap it with Zoorasia though.
 
Jakub said:
December 27 - Asa Zoo - may I know the best way to get there from Hiroshima station ?
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When I went I took two buses - one to get to a bus stop just South of Yokogawa Station, and the next (called the 70-3 I think) which took me directly to the zoo in maybe 40 minutes or so? Apparently the taxi costs, despite the actual length of the trip being short, are exorbitant...
I remembered thinking it was really smooth by public transport, although I did end up waiting a while for the bus back. Hope this helps :).
 
@Veno
Thanks for the reply. I guess White-bellied spider monkey is not kept anywhere in Europe, also White-fronted capuchin is held by one institution in England, so quite a rarity also. May I ask you, if the weather is bad, are animals in Monkey Centre to be seen in their indoor holding ?
Thanks, Jakub
 
Jakub said:
May I ask you, if the weather is bad, are animals in Monkey Centre to be seen in their indoor holding ?
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In winter, tropical monkeys can move between indoor and outdoor holdings. However, I believe not all species were viewable in the indoor holdings.

Jakub said:
White-bellied spider monkey
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Unfortunately, all individuals are actually hybrids, so this species is not kept at JMC.
 
Jakub said:
And one more question - do the bears hibernate in zoos during winter ? Mayby in southern zoos they activate year round, I would be happy to see both Hokkaido brown bears and Japanese black bear during my trip
Click to expand...
Among the zoos you’re planning to visit in Japan, Ueno Zoo is the only one where Japanese black bears hibernate. However, Hokkaido brown bears do not hibernate there. No other zoos practice hibernation for bears. I hope you find this information helpful.
 
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Jakub said:
Higashiyama Zoo
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At Higashiyama Zoo's Nocturnal House, the lights are on between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, right after opening. If you want to capture a good photo of the Small Sri Lankan Civet, it's recommended to visit during this time.

You may have seen Japanese squirrels in European zoos. However, the Japanese squirrels kept in Europe are clearly hybridized and look different from the true species, so I recommend taking the time to observe the authentic ones in Japanese zoos.

Jakub said:
Hirakawa Zoo
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I haven't visited Hirakawa Zoo, but according to a post from a Japanese visitor on X, they spotted an active Amami spiny rat near closing time. As for the Amami rabbit display, there are various photos shared by visitors showing the exhibit in different lighting conditions, both bright and dark. Generally, checking periodically throughout the day, from opening to closing, may give you a chance to capture great photos.

If you're particular about subspecies, Ueno Zoo has the Western Pacific harbour seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri), which cannot be seen in European zoos. Similarly, the ringed seals (Pusa hispida ochotensis) at Kamogawa Sea World and Kaiyukan are not kept in Europe.
 
@Veno
Many thanks for your advise, especially regarding the nocturnal house at Higashiyama. Tomorrow I am in Saitama, I changed my plan a bit, the Amami spiny rats should be on display, I contacted the staff there and should be allowed to visit some animals up close. Japanese squirrels I saw today in Inokashira:)
 
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