Nagoya Trip 2024

zoogeekmaelstrom

zoogeekmaelstrom

Well-Known Member
Hello, I am going to Nagoya for the first time in years, and here are the zoological institutions that are a must visit for me:

Higashiyama Zoo
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

I have already been to these places, but that was when I was a child, and I barely remember what happened. Plus, a lot has changed over the years there, and I would love to see what's new with these places. Places I am considering include the Japan Monkey Centre and the SEA LIFE aquarium if I have time on my trip to Legoland. If anyone can give me information regarding visit and completion times, tips or any of the like, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
Hello, I am going to Nagoya for the first time in years, and here are the zoological institutions that are a must visit for me:

Higashiyama Zoo
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

I have already been to these places, but that was when I was a child, and I barely remember what happened. Plus, a lot has changed over the years there, and I would love to see what's new with these places. Places I am considering include the Japan Monkey Centre and the SEA LIFE aquarium if I have time on my trip to Legoland. If anyone can give me information regarding visit and completion times, tips or any of the like, it would be greatly appreciated.
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There's quite a lot of interesting facilities around Nagoya, and I've been to most of them.

Any particular species or group of species you're interested?
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
Sorry it took long to respond, but I'm usually interested in small nocturnal animals and rare animals not seen anywhere else in and outside of Japan.
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No problem.

If you're looking for these species, Higashiyama is the perfect place to go!
You'll be able to spend a full day there looking at the large collection, especially the nocturnal house, aquarium (Sekai No Medaka Kan) and the reptile house. It's full of rare species.

I also recommend these places if you have time, they're all a day trip from Nagoya, and can be reached by public transport. I went to all in the past year, so I'll be able to tell you any info about it.

Japan Monkey Center
- Probably the world's largest primate collection
- Enclosures are old and small but clean and well maintained

Aqua Totto Gifu
- World-class freshwater aquarium with a collection of rare species
- Includes species might not be held anywhere else in the world

Toba Aquarium
- Japan's most species-richest facility, with more than 1200 species
- Has rare species, including Dugong, Commerson's Dolphin, Sea Otter and Nautilus

Let me know if you need any more info!
I'll be happy to help!
 
How long does it usually take to complete Higashiyama. I know it's gonna take a long time since the last time I went there I missed the Japanese animal section but I want a more definite time.
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
How long does it usually take to complete Higashiyama. I know it's gonna take a long time since the last time I went there I missed the Japanese animal section but I want a more definite time.
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It really depends on how careful you want to look at the animals.

In my case, I usually spend 8 full hours to see the whole zoo. My Japanese "zoo nerd" friends usually do the same thing.

But if you don't focus on everything there, 4-5 hours might be enough.
 
Toki said:
It really depends on how careful you want to look at the animals.

In my case, I usually spend 8 full hours to see the whole zoo. My Japanese "zoo nerd" friends usually do the same thing.

But if you don't focus on everything there, 4-5 hours might be enough.
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I'll make a note for my future visit, I was hoping to spend half a day here and now I see that a whole day Will be necessary.
 
My trip is tomorrow, and my zoo day is in 2 days, so here are the confirmed places, however I will be considering some:

Higashiyama Zoo
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
My trip is tomorrow, and my zoo day is in 2 days, so here are the confirmed places, however I will be considering some:

Higashiyama Zoo
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Click to expand...
Good luck, and have a safe trip!
Both facilities are quite large, so I recommend planning what you want to see ahead!
 
aramacao said:
Oh, It's a shame...
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Looks like the original plan was in action, as I visited Higashiyama Zoo today, but only with my dad. I will list my thoughts via pros and cons:

Pros:
First time seeing species like honey badger, Komodo dragon, blue throated macaw, palm cockatoo, lesser Cayman iguana, Indian civet, cape genet, caecilian, jungle cat, bearded saki, black vulture, Tsushima leopard cat and several species of killfish and ricefish.
New updates like renovated jaguar, tiger and kangaroo enclosures
Educational signs and great artwork, especially in the Medaka (freshwater fish) house
Most species out of any Japanese zoos
Good range of gifts
Good food
Well layed out map
Most animals were active


Cons:
Old exhibits that need renovation, like the pheasant row and the small carnivore house
Pacing animals, especially the anteaters
Closed off exhibits like the bird house
Most animals I wanted to see like the volcano rabbit, Sumatran orangutan and Ezo red fox unfortunately passed away, so I was a bit sad when I didn’t get to see them

Overall, I think Higashiyama Zoo is a must see zoo when you’re here in Nagoya. Back in the days, it has had a reputation for being a very old zoo with depressing enclosures, but slowly it’s building itself up to be a zoo with good enclosures and a dedication to conservation. Tons of rare animals, rest areas and areas to explore. I wish Higashiyama bright days ahead of it as it continues to be a better zoo than it already is.
 
zoogeekmaelstrom said:
Looks like the original plan was in action, as I visited Higashiyama Zoo today, but only with my dad. I will list my thoughts via pros and cons:

Pros:
First time seeing species like honey badger, Komodo dragon, blue throated macaw, palm cockatoo, lesser Cayman iguana, Indian civet, cape genet, caecilian, jungle cat, bearded saki, black vulture, Tsushima leopard cat and several species of killfish and ricefish.
New updates like renovated jaguar, tiger and kangaroo enclosures
Educational signs and great artwork, especially in the Medaka (freshwater fish) house
Most species out of any Japanese zoos
Good range of gifts
Good food
Well layed out map
Most animals were active


Cons:
Old exhibits that need renovation, like the pheasant row and the small carnivore house
Pacing animals, especially the anteaters
Closed off exhibits like the bird house
Most animals I wanted to see like the volcano rabbit, Sumatran orangutan and Ezo red fox unfortunately passed away, so I was a bit sad when I didn’t get to see them

Overall, I think Higashiyama Zoo is a must see zoo when you’re here in Nagoya. Back in the days, it has had a reputation for being a very old zoo with depressing enclosures, but slowly it’s building itself up to be a zoo with good enclosures and a dedication to conservation. Tons of rare animals, rest areas and areas to explore. I wish Higashiyama bright days ahead of it as it continues to be a better zoo than it already is.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your report!

Yes, Higashiyama is still on the way to getting better, and constructions are going on now.
Some animals are in smaller temporary exhibits and old exhibits, but things are getting better in the past years.

I hope you can visit the place again in the future to see a better place!
 
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