Japan Trip 2025

Batto

Batto

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Given that a pandemic and family affairs put a sudden end to my plans to visit Japan, I'm having another go at a short trip (ten days max) to Nippon in 2025.
So far, my wife and I have limited ourselves to visiting:
- Tokyo (as shortly as possible)
- Kamakura
- Kanazawa
- (Osaka)

I would like to visit Toba Aquarium, but I'm unsure how to get there in the most convenient way. Given that my wife is coming along, I can't do a daily zoo/aquarium tour like some of you single, free-ranging, happy-go-lucky bachelors.
So any recommendations regarding relevant or even must-see attractions (zoos, aquaria, museums etc.) on the way are highly appreciated.
And for the sake of WdG, I might have to try some fugu while there ... ;)

Thanks in advance.
 
Batto said:
Given that a pandemic and family affairs put a sudden end to my plans to visit Japan, I'm having another go at a short trip (ten days max) to Nippon in 2025.
So far, my wife and I have limited ourselves to visiting:
- Tokyo (as shortly as possible)
- Kamakura
- Kanazawa
- (Osaka)

I would like to visit Toba Aquarium, but I'm unsure how to get there in the most convenient way. Given that my wife is coming along, I can't do a daily zoo/aquarium tour like some of you single, free-ranging, happy-go-lucky bachelors.
So any recommendations regarding relevant or even must-see attractions (zoos, aquaria, museums etc.) on the way are highly appreciated.
And for the sake of WdG, I might have to try some fugu while there ... ;)

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Great to hear! There's a pretty massive selection of places around that region that might be of interest so I'll try and condense it as much as possible, also bearing in mind that you don't have the longest of periods to see much of this stuff and that the focus won't be on zoos either.

Tokyo:
Ueno Zoo - centre of Tokyo, very easily accessible some very rare stuff including tarsier, pangolin, Demidoff's bushbaby, Lidth's jay, a bunch of native birds, good herp collection...
Inokashira Park Zoo - right next to the Ghibli Museum, which may or may not be of interest - nice cross-section of native Japanese animals (aquatic and terrestrial), black-faced spoonbills.
Tokyo SeaLife Park - loads of cool fish, easily accessible by metro from the centre. Little penguins and some nice herps too.
Tama Zoo - better exhibitry than Ueno, plus the Mole House and an excellent Invert House. Less accessible though.
There are some smaller places (Saitama, Adachi, Sumida, Sunshine Aq) but I'm not sure they're relevant if you're not going to spend much time in Tokyo unless there's a particular interest.
If you want a day trip idea from Tokyo, I'd recommend Nikko and Lake Chuzenji - beautiful temples, a spectacular waterfall, lovely lake and the Japan Amphibian Lab on its banks with the largest collection of Hynobius anywhere.

Yokohama:
Zoorasia - Proboscis monkeys and doucs. Good exhibitry.
Hakkejima Sea Paradise - where the rare and weird bycatch often shows up, but maybe moreso in winter. Has a great shark collection.

Kamakura:
Only zoo/aquarium nearby iirc (besides the Yokohama ones which are a bit further out) is Enoshima Aquarium which has Risso's dolphin and a pretty sizeable fish collection.

Kanazawa:
Only nearby place really is Ishikawa Zoo, which have some of the only on-show Crested ibis in Japan (maybe the only?), so worth a visit if you want to see them. It's about an hour and 20 minutes out from Kanazawa.

Osaka and environs:
Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium) - probably a must-visit if you've never seen Whale sharks. Very impressive aquarium, especially the central tank. Near this is a great big ferris wheel which was good to pass the time while we waited to get into the aquarium. Tennoji Zoo isn't worth it.
Toba Aquarium - has gotten easier to reach recently I think - easiest from Nagoya. Around the corner is Ise Sea Paradise with Cape Clawless otters. Ise also has some relatively famous temples.

Nagoya:
Halfway house between Osaka and Tokyo - has an aquarium with Emperor penguin, a big freshwater aquarium, a zoo with, among other things an excellent pupfish collection and nearby(ish) possibly the largest primate collection in the world. Not of particular tourist interest otherwise though.

As for things to do:
Tokyo has a massive wealth of things to do and I doubt you'll have trouble there, Kamakura I'm assuming you're going for the various religious sites, temples etc. and Kanazawa is an unusual but nice choice, I've heard good things. If you're a foodie I've got a few recommendations for Tokyo and Osaka, happy to PM you if you have any other questions.

One major piece of advice would be to get a Suica card when you arrive - streamlines everything and can be used virtually everywhere.

Hope this helps :).
 
Here's some tips for using the metro in Tokyo:
  1. There's a train every few minutes, so being late for one shouldn't be too much of a concern. But during early (very early morning), there's a train only every ten minutes or so.
  2. Use a popular digital map service. I prefer Google Maps, but the choice is yours. There are different types of trains: local trains stop at every station, express skip some stations, and some lines do other things like split into another line. To avoid confusion, just rely on the apps to guide you to where you need to go. Checking the platform number is a great way to make sure to avoid getting on the wrong train. They are rarely wrong and idk about any other services, but Google Maps lets me adjust which train I want to go on.
  3. It can get crowded sometimes. If it does, and you have a camera on you, keep it in your backpack. It's more about avoiding dropping/losing it than an anti-theft thing. Having gigantic lenses around can also warrant some looks.
And adding on to what Amur Leopard said, most vending machines and convenience stores accept Suica. Handy for getting a quick snack/drink. Just make sure you have a plan of how to get rid of your trash: keep it in your backpack until you get home, or find a trash bin (which can be found in convenience stores or sometimes next to a vending machine).

Here's a useful link: IC Travel Cards | Travel Japan | JNTO
 
(Translated by Google)

I will explain how to get to Toba Zoo.
I have actually traveled from Kashikojima, which is just beyond Toba, to Tokyo.
Please note that sea otters may die, so it is best to check carefully before going.

I recommend taking the Shinkansen to travel between Tokyo, Osaka, and Toba.
I apologize for being a small thing, but if you are traveling with large luggage, you will need to make a reservation for a seat, so I would appreciate it if you could confirm this.
Reservations for Seats with an Oversized Baggage Area

To get to Toba Zoo, first take the Shinkansen and then change trains.
From Osaka or Nagoya (a city between Tokyo and Osaka) to Toba, I recommend the Shimakaze limited express train operated by Kintetsu, a company other than the Shinkansen operator.
Premium Express Shimakaze｜Kintetsu Railway Co.,Ltd.
I have ridden it, and it was fun and quick from Nagoya to the last stop (part of the reason may be because I am a train fan).
☆Lockers are available for large luggage and other items.
If you are traveling with 4 to 6 people,
☆Three salon seating areas are available on each Group Seating Car. These seats include large tables and are perfect for enjoying group travel.Salon Seats can be used by a group of four to six without any additional fee.

I hope you have a good trip.
 
I wrote Toba Zoo by mistake, but it is actually Toba Aquarium.
There is also Tobe Zoo for information, but the content of the above post is about Toba Aquarium.
I am sorry that I will increase the number of replies because I cannot edit as I am a new member.
 
Update: It's finally settled - I'm going to travel to Japan in November. Contrary to my previous plan, I'm just going to stay in Tokyo for about a week. I found a reasonably priced accommodation in Ueno, so the closeby zoo and NHM are a given. I will probably visit Tama Zoo and, given @Chlidonias ' & @amur leopard 's recommendation, Inokashira Park Zoo and maybe Tokyo Sea Life Park. As for the other aquaria - ?
Furthermore, I will try out Fugu, an AYCE wagyu beef buffet, buy lots of Shiba Inu related stuff at Daiso, Fugu sashimi sanpuru (if that exists) and look for nice venomous/poisonous (animal/plant) merchandise that I can sell at the WdG gift shop for a profit.;)Any suggestions where I can find the latter?
 
Batto said:
Update: It's finally settled - I'm going to travel to Japan in November. Contrary to my previous plan, I'm just going to stay in Tokyo for about a week. I found a reasonably priced accommodation in Ueno, so the closeby zoo and NHM are a given. I will probably visit Tama Zoo and, given @Chlidonias ' & @amur leopard 's recommendation, Inokashira Park Zoo and maybe Tokyo Sea Life Park. As for the other aquaria - ?
Furthermore, I will try out Fugu, an AYCE wagyu beef buffet, buy lots of Shiba Inu related stuff at Daiso, Fugu sashimi sanpuru (if that exists) and look for nice venomous/poisonous (animal/plant) merchandise that I can sell at the WdG gift shop for a profit.;)Any suggestions where I can find the latter?
Click to expand...

There are two wild Ural Owls that live inside Inokashira Zoo, next to the walk-in squirrel exhibition. According to my friends, they're probably still there. Might be worth noting.
 
I hope you enjoy your trip. Ueno is a good zoo, although it has its ups and downs. The collection is excellent, although most of the facilities are perhaps too small for a Western visitor. Tama Zoo is perhaps more appealing from an animal welfare perspective, although I was a little disappointed. Its insectarium, however, is excellent. Inokashira Zoo is an interesting zoo if you're looking to learn more about Japan's native fauna, and right next door is a section dedicated to aquatic fauna with a small but excellent freshwater aquarium and aviaries for waterfowl. Tokyo Sea Life, in my opinion, is a must-see; it has some impressive aquariums, and seeing large tuna is always a real eye-catcher.
 
Thanks @aramacao .
I'm also planning to go to the beetle shop Mushi-Sha and the Museum of Parasitology. If anyone knows an unique / weird / interesting pet shop in Tokyo, please let me know.

Could I please ask @Eddie Seb @Statice and other ZooChat members that are either Japanese and / or live in Japan for a favour? During my stay, I would like to buy the following detailed animal figurines as exhibits at my zoo. What would be the most efficient way to find them? Any help is greatly appreciated
- Kaiyodo Revogeo Asian Giant Hornet & Emperor Scorpion
- Kaiyodo Revogeo Japanese Giant Water Bug
- Kaiyodo Diversity of Life on Earth: Advanced Wasps
- Kaiyodo Diversity of Life on Earth / Ikimono Encyclopedia Ants
- Capsule Q Toxic Dangerous Animals I & II

And any other toxic animal figurines. Many thanks in advance for your help.
 
Batto said:
Thanks @aramacao .
I'm also planning to go to the beetle shop Mushi-Sha and the Museum of Parasitology. If anyone knows an unique / weird / interesting pet shop in Tokyo, please let me know.

Could I please ask @Eddie Seb @Statice and other ZooChat members that are either Japanese and / or live in Japan for a favour? During my stay, I would like to buy the following detailed animal figurines as exhibits at my zoo. What would be the most efficient way to find them? Any help is greatly appreciated
- Kaiyodo Revogeo Asian Giant Hornet & Emperor Scorpion
- Kaiyodo Revogeo Japanese Giant Water Bug
- Kaiyodo Diversity of Life on Earth: Advanced Wasps
- Kaiyodo Diversity of Life on Earth / Ikimono Encyclopedia Ants
- Capsule Q Toxic Dangerous Animals I & II

And any other toxic animal figurines. Many thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
You can find some of them at the zoo museum shops, but maybe not all.
These figures are all not sold at one place.

If you want to efficiently collect them, there are special shops in Tokyo might be able to help you:
<Kaiyodo Hobbby Lobby>
海洋堂　（株）海洋堂直営店　ホビーロビー東京　HOBBY LOBBY TOKYO
https://x.com/hobbylobbytokyo
There are also some places near Akihabara that specialize in these figures.

There's also an online store
リボジオ | 海洋堂オンラインストア

If you're staying at a certain hotel for a few days, you might be able to get them sent to you there.
 
Batto said:
As for the other aquaria - ?
Click to expand...

A couple other spots I might recommend include Maxell Aquapark Shinagawa, to get 3 sawfish. However this is a small facility and would most likely only take about 2 hours to complete (depending on whether you would like to watch the dolphin show or not) so I would do this if you have a couple hours.

One aquarium I strongly recommend is Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. While it will take around 2h to reach from urban Tokyo, this facility has a great collection of deep sea species, marine mammals, and pelagic fish. They regularly import rare sharks, so if you're lucky you might just be able to see a goblin shark, blue shark, mako, or smalltooth sandtiger shark. Hakkeijima's pelagic tank also holds a number of uncommon sharks, such as bronze whalers.
 
Dear Japanese ZooChatters and those among you who speak Japanese / live in Japan,
my apologies for being so direct, but I require your help.

- I would like to dine at a Fugu restaurant called Kikuchi in Ueno. Based on online reviews, an early reservation is necessary, but apparently only doable via phone. Could you please help me get a reservation? Feel free to PM me for more details.
Kikuchi - Yushima/Fugu (Pufferfish) | Tabelog

- I would like to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum during my stay. The process to get a ticket is... complicated, to say the least, but I've heard that there is an easier option for Japanese residents. Could anyone please advise me on this?

- Is the Adachi Park of Living Things worth a visit? I would go there for the Boelen's Python.^^

Many thanks in advance for your help.
 
Batto said:
Dear Japanese ZooChatters and those among you who speak Japanese / live in Japan,
my apologies for being so direct, but I require your help.

- I would like to dine at a Fugu restaurant called Kikuchi in Ueno. Based on online reviews, an early reservation is necessary, but apparently only doable via phone. Could you please help me get a reservation? Feel free to PM me for more details.
Kikuchi - Yushima/Fugu (Pufferfish) | Tabelog

- I would like to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum during my stay. The process to get a ticket is... complicated, to say the least, but I've heard that there is an easier option for Japanese residents. Could anyone please advise me on this?

- Is the Adachi Park of Living Things worth a visit? I would go there for the Boelen's Python.^^

Many thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

Hi!

Kikuchi
It's a small restaurant that needs reservation. The restaurant will be closed for the whole month in August. I'll message you for details.

Ghibli Museum MItaka
You can buy tickets online from here
https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/sitetop

You can also buy tickets after arriving in Japan from a nearby LAWSON (Convinience Store)

Adachi Park of Living Things
This zoo received Gundis from Saitama Children's Zoo this year. This is probably the rarest animal there, since only Saitama and Adachi has this species in Japan.
The zoo is not big and far from nearby train stations, so it might not be worth the visit if you're not interested in this species.

Feel free to ask anything if you need more help!
 
You no longer plan on visiting Toba Aquarium? It's your trip and I don't know your reasons for revising your itinerary, but if I were visiting Japan soon, I'd jump at the opportunity to see May and Kira, Japan's iconic sea otter duo and the last two in captivity there (though there is a slowly increasing wild population in Hokkaido). Toba has other rarities such as dugong which make it worth your while.

If your wife is the one objecting, just show her one of the many videos of Kira and May from social media, and I'm sure she'll change her mind. :D Toba's marine mammal enclosures are a bit small by contemporary standards, but they're heavily involved in research and conservation efforts for these species, so I don't feel guilty about supporting them. They recently helped raise over 10 million yen for Kyoto University to conduct studies on marine mammals in Japan and Greenland.
 
SeaOtterHQ said:
You no longer plan on visiting Toba Aquarium? It's your trip and I don't know your reasons for revising your itinerary, but if I were visiting Japan soon, I'd jump at the opportunity to see May and Kira, Japan's iconic sea otter duo and the last two in captivity there (though there is a slowly increasing wild population in Hokkaido). Toba has other rarities such as dugong which make it worth your while.

If your wife is the one objecting, just show her one of the many videos of Kira and May from social media, and I'm sure she'll change her mind. :D Toba's marine mammal enclosures are a bit small by contemporary standards, but they're heavily involved in research and conservation efforts for these species, so I don't feel guilty about supporting them. They recently helped raise over 10 million yen for Kyoto University to conduct studies on marine mammals in Japan and Greenland.
Click to expand...

Although they're not common, it's possible to see sea otters in a few aquariums around the world. I consider Toba a must-see for any zoonerd, but I think it's more because of the other species in the collection, which are much rarer than otters.
 
aramacao said:
Although they're not common, it's possible to see sea otters in a few aquariums around the world. I consider Toba a must-see for any zoonerd, but I think it's more because of the other species in the collection, which are much rarer than otters.
Click to expand...

I am aware that other aquaria have sea otters, including a few in Europe, but Kira and May in particular have become mini-celebrities in Japan, like Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo or Knut the polar bear at the Berlin Zoo. Much of the material is in Japanese, but the cultural phenomenon surrounding them is interesting in its own right. They're both elderly for their species, so realistically there won't be many more chances for Zoochatters who don't live in Japan to see them.

In any case, I mentioned that Toba had other rare species as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top