・How to Get to the Himeji City Zoo

Get off at “JR Himeji Station”—about a 15-minute walk
Get off at “Himeji Castle Otemon-mae”—about a 5-minute walk

You can enter and exit the zoo through two entrances: the Main Entrance and the North Entrance.

・A “zoo right at the foot of a castle”—a rarity even nationwide

The “Himeji City Zoo” is located—believe it or not—within the grounds of the World Heritage Site “Himeji Castle.” It adjoins the Sannomaru Plaza of Himeji Castle. Thanks to this location, it attracts not only local children and families from Himeji but also many tourists visiting Himeji Castle.

From within the zoo, visitors can observe the animals against the backdrop of the beautiful scenery of Himeji Castle, and this unique atmosphere—unlike anything found at other zoos—is another reason for its popularity.

・Affordable Admission Fees Are a Major Draw

The admission fees are truly surprising. At just 250 yen for adults and 50 yen for children, they are extremely reasonable—even compared to zoos nationwide!

・In 2026, a Harris’s Hawk and a penguin chick were born!

There’s been a string of happy news in 2026! A Harris’s Hawk—a member of the hawk family—was born on April 15, and a Magellanic penguin was born on May 14.

Harris’s Hawks grow quickly, reaching nearly adult size by about three months of age.The photo shows, from left to right, the father “Kojirō,” the mother “Karen,” and the Harris’s Hawk born this past April.

You can tell it’s a chick by the downy feathers still on its chest and its patchy plumage. Its gender hasn’t been determined yet, and they’ll decide on a name once it’s confirmed.

The Magellanic penguin chick is also growing strong! It’s a bit smaller than the adult penguins and has thinner feathers, so you can spot it right away. Although Magellanic penguins are generally considered to be wary, this little one is fearless and often approaches visitors on its own. We can’t wait for the announcement of its gender and name.

・Keep an eye out for the giraffe with the hidden heart mark!

In the giraffe enclosure, “Kosuke” (in the back of the photo) and “Kiki” (in the foreground) live happily together as a couple.

Kosuke is famous for the heart-shaped mark on his right front leg. Rumor has it that finding this heart brings good luck. Actually, there’s said to be a hidden heart mark on “Kiki’s” back as well!? You’ll be lucky if you spot it.

Feeding experiences are available exclusively on holidays, so don’t miss this opportunity!

■ Giraffe Feeding (First 10 Groups)
Public holidays only, starting at 1:30 p.m. (500 yen per group)

One of the park’s charms is that you can meet marine creatures without even having to go to an aquarium! The Otaria’s adorable joy—as they express their excitement with their whole bodies when the zookeeper appears with food—is definitely worth seeing.

・Animal Interaction Experiences

Himeji City Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, ranging from large animals like giraffes and lions to small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. In particular, the “Interaction Plaza,” where you can interact with small animals, is very popular and a highly recommended spot for families with children.

At the “Interaction Plaza,” you can interact with guinea pigs twice a day—once in the morning and once in the afternoon—for one hour each session.

When zookeepers are nearby, they’ll happily answer any questions you have about the animals.

■ Interaction Plaza
1st Session: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2nd Session: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

・An amusement park with a retro Showa-era atmosphere

There are “mini amusement parks” in both the north and south sections of the park. They feature a wide variety of attractions sure to delight children, including an airplane, a train, a Ferris wheel, a monorail, a chain tower, teacups, battery-powered cars, and a caterpillar train.

The “Showa retro” atmosphere, which evokes a sense of nostalgia unique to Japan, is particularly charming. Rides cost 250 yen per person per ride—a budget-friendly price.

■Mini Amusement Parks
●Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:40 p.m. (Tickets sold until 4:30 p.m.)

*Rides may be suspended during operating hours due to severe weather, maintenance, or other reasons.

■Details