Kobe Oji Zoo

Meet a koala! Make memories with your family at this historic zoo

This popular zoo in Kobe is home to a diverse range of animals: approximately 800 creatures of 130 species, including the zoo’s beloved koalas. It is surrounded by a wealth of greenery despite being located in the heart of the city, and offers visitors both exciting and tranquil experiences.

Inside the zoo, large animals such as giraffes, elephants, and polar bears as well as small, cute creatures such as red pandas and penguins lead lively lives, and you can observe them a short distance away. Must-sees include the koalas eating eucalyptus leaves with relish and sleeping sweetly in trees. They’re sure to steal everyone’s hearts.

After being soothed by the animals, you can enjoy attractions and play as much as you like in the attached amusement park. We also recommend taking a commemorative photo in the attractive Hunter’s House, a national Important Cultural Property full of a feeling of exoticism, which retains its ambiance from its time as an ijinkan (residence built for foreign residents) during the Meiji period (1868–1912). This charming zoo brings smiles to the faces of people of all ages.

*The zoo is undergoing renovations between 2024 and 2030, so you may not be able to see certain animal enclosures or use certain facilities.

Area

Basic information

Zip code: 〒657-0838　
Address: 3-1 Oji-cho, Nada-ku Kobe-shi 兵庫県
Telephone Number: 078-861-5624
Opening times: [March to October] 09:00–17:00 (last entry: 16:30)
[November to February] 09:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
Closed: Wednesdays (open if Wednesday is a public holiday. Special opening during spring and summer vacation)
December 29 to January 1
Fees: Adults (high school students and older): 600 yen
Junior high school students and younger: Free
*High school students who live or attend school in Kobe City (including those taking a high-school equivalent course), people age 65 and over living in Kobe City, and people with a disability can enter free of charge
Access (car): Approx 10 mins from the Maya entrance/exit or Ikutagawa entrance/exit on the Hanshin Expressway Kobe Route
Approx. 15 mins from the Sumiyoshihama entrance/exit on the Hanshin Expressway Wangan Route
Access (public transport): Approx. 3 mins’ walk from Hankyu Oji-Koen Station
Approx. 5 mins’ walk from JR Nada Station
Approx. 10 mins’ walk from Hanshin Iwaya Station
Parking: [0–2 hours] 150 yen/30 mins
[2–4 hours] 100 yen/30 mins
[Over 4 hours] 50 yen/30 mins
*Buses must reserve a space in advance