Historic metropolitan zoo where nature and culture are in harmony

Located a 10-minute walk from Kichijoji Station, Inokashira Park Zoo is a nature-rich urban zoo divided into two areas: the Zoo Area (Main Park), which includes a zoo, botanical garden, and sculpture museum, and the Aquatic Life Park (Branch Park), which includes an aquatic life house and waterfowl exhibit. The main zoo has many attractions, including exhibits of Japanese animals such as the Tsushima leopard cat and Japanese serow, a guinea pig petting program popular with small children, a mini amusement park, and a sculpture garden with approximately 200 sculptures on display. In addition, visitors can see freshwater fish, amphibians, waterfowl, and other creatures that live near Japanese waters in the annex. Located in Inokashira Onshi Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, it is also a very popular recreational spot for local residents and tourists. Why not visit to see the approximately 170 species of animals and feel the scenery that still retains the atmosphere of Musashino?

Creatures of Japan

One of the attractions of the Inokashira Park Zoo is that it is home to many animals that live in Japan. Visitors can see animals that can only be seen in Japan, such as the Japanese squirrel, Japanese serow, Japanese marten, Japanese badger, Japanese raccoon dog, and Japanese giant salamander, living in a lively environment. In addition, several endangered species, such as the Tsushima leopard cat, are kept here. The Aquatic Life House, in a branch park, is dedicated to the breeding of rare animals and plants, such as the Miyako Tanago and Musashi Tomiyo, which are endemic to Japan and have been declining due to habitat degradation.

Cultural facilities in the zoo

What sets the Inokashira Park Zoo apart from other zoo facilities is the cultural facilities located within the park. The Sculpture Garden, located in the main park, displays approximately 200 sculptures by Nishimo Kitamura (1884-1987), a sculptor known for creating the "Peace Statue" in Nagasaki, in the Atelier Hall, Sculpture Halls A and B, and outside. The plaster cast of the Peace Statue, which stands over 9 meters tall, is particularly impressive. In the Atelier Hall, where Kitamura used to live until his death at the age of 102, visitors can see the equipment and instruments actually used in the creation of the "Peace Statue".

The historic "Inokashira Park Zoo" opened in 1942 based on the concept of "studying and observing the natural ecology of animals and plants as they are". In addition to the zoo, the park is dotted with a sculpture museum and a exhibition hall, where visitors can spend time experiencing nature and culture from a variety of perspectives. The site, which occupies about 1/3 of Inokashira Park Zoo, is lined with groves of trees, and the exhibits are arranged in such a way that even small children can easily look around on their own feet, making it an attractive place for families to casually visit. The original stuffed toys and miscellaneous goods sold in the park are also popular as a memento of your visit. Kichijoji, the nearest station to the park, is a popular spot with many commercial facilities and restaurants, and is crowded with people on weekends. We hope you will enjoy walking around the city and getting in touch with the flora, fauna, and nature.