Animals places

A free public zoo in Gyosen Park with red pandas, penguins and small animals.

A free public zoo in Higashi-Itabashi Park with small animals and pony experiences.

A public nature centre in Motofuchie Park for insects, fish, small animals and plants.

Japan's oldest zoo in Ueno Park, best planned as a half-day or longer visit.

An indoor Tokyo Skytree Town aquarium with penguins, jellyfish and goldfish.

An aquarium in Shinagawa Kumin Park featuring dolphins, seals and Tokyo Bay life.

A rooftop urban aquarium at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, with a sheltered route from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station for an all-weather family day.

A large destination farm in Futtsu, Chiba, combining animal encounters, seasonal flowers, fruit picking and amusement rides.

Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa is an indoor aquarium about two minutes from Shinagawa Station's Takanawa Exit, with practical family guidance on tickets, rain, strollers, nursing and food.

A metropolitan aquarium known for its tuna tank, global seas and large penguin habitat, easy to pair with Kasai Rinkai Park.

A spacious metropolitan zoo on hilly ground, organised into Asian, African and Australian animal zones.

A zoo and aquatic park featuring squirrels, native animals and waterside life, easy to combine with Inokashira Park.

A full-day island destination combining several aquariums, marine experiences, rides and dining.

A seafront aquarium featuring Sagami Bay, jellyfish, deep-sea life and dolphins. Check reservation periods on peak dates.

A vast park with koalas, capybara hot springs, Penguin Hills and massive outdoor play structures.

A major oceanarium renowned for thrilling killer whale performances, dolphin shows and marine exhibits.

A family tourist farm for cow milking, animal petting, fresh ice cream and grass tobogganing.

Drive or ride a jungle bus through a Fuji foothills safari, with walk-through animal encounters too.

Close-up capybaras, free-roaming animals, cactus greenhouses and an animal boat tour.

A walk-through safari with unusually close animal views plus a small amusement area.

A floating aquarium in a natural cove, known for dolphin and sea-lion experiences.

An indoor aquarium focused on Suruga Bay deep-sea life and coelacanth specimens.

Indoor animal areas and a broad farm zone combine shows with close encounters for a full day.

A lakeside family farm combining animals, rides, outdoor play and dairy-making experiences.

Drive or take a safari bus close to animals, then add walk-through encounters and rides.

Sea-of-Japan views, Magellanic penguins and dolphin exhibits suit a Shinkansen overnight itinerary.