Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a municipal zoo and botanical garden located in Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The extensive grounds are divided into three main areas: a zoo, a botanical garden, and an amusement park. With approximately 130 animal species comprising around 700 individual animals, as well as about 800 plant species represented by approximately 50,000 plants, the gardens offer a variety of experiences for visitors of all ages.
Located beside Lake Ezu, often described as an urban oasis for the people of Kumamoto, the gardens cover approximately 24.5 hectares. Visitors can observe animals, enjoy seasonal flowers, explore landscaped gardens, and spend time with family and friends in a spacious green environment close to the city center.
The animal zone is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys, capybaras, and penguins. New areas have been developed over the years to provide animals with environments that more closely resemble their natural habitats. The “Forest of Monkeys” opened in 2008, followed by “Chimpanzee Island” in 2011.
Visitors can see many familiar favorites, including elephants, giraffes, and tigers. After entering through the main gate, visitors are greeted by lively monkeys before continuing to other animal exhibits.
The collection also includes the golden snub-nosed monkey, a rare species sometimes associated in popular culture with the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Its unusual appearance makes it an especially interesting animal to observe.
The mammal exhibits include two-toed sloths and Sichuan red pandas, along with larger animals such as African elephants, Masai giraffes, lions, and polar bears. Visitors can also observe Japanese macaques and chimpanzees, whose behavior and intelligence make them fascinating subjects for close observation.
The bird exhibits feature rare species such as the Japanese golden eagle and red-crowned crane. Colorful birds, including flamingos and macaws, add to the variety of the collection and provide opportunities to appreciate the diversity of birdlife.
The reptile and amphibian exhibits include species such as African rock pythons and spectacled caimans. Visitors can also see more familiar Japanese wildlife, including Japanese pond turtles and Japanese tree frogs. The collection offers an introduction to the wide variety of forms and adaptations found among reptiles and amphibians.
Touch Ai Land, an animal interaction area, opened in April 2005. It includes a play area inspired by the American West and a zone where visitors can interact with animals. The facility is designed to encourage children to learn through seeing, touching, and playing.
By encountering animals at close range, children can develop an appreciation for living creatures and learn about the importance of coexistence with nature. The area adds a hands-on educational element to the zoo experience.
The Living Things Learning Center offers programs that make learning about animals enjoyable and accessible. Through exhibits and hands-on activities, children and adults can deepen their understanding of wildlife and the natural world.
The center complements the animal exhibits by helping visitors look beyond the animals themselves and consider their characteristics, behavior, and place in the environment.
The botanical garden includes a Japanese garden and an arboretum where visitors can enjoy plants and flowers throughout the seasons. Tropical and subtropical plants are displayed in greenhouses, allowing visitors to experience a different botanical environment at any time of year.
The botanical garden features broad lawns and flower displays that change with the seasons. In spring, fields of rapeseed flowers bring bright color to the grounds, while cosmos flowers create an attractive display in autumn. Other flowering plants bloom throughout the year, offering visitors a changing landscape with every season.
The Japanese garden and arboretum provide a calm setting in which to appreciate traditional garden design and a variety of trees and plants. The landscape changes throughout the year, and autumn is particularly attractive when the leaves turn a range of vivid colors.
These areas offer a quieter contrast to the animal exhibits and amusement rides, allowing visitors to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the natural surroundings.
The Flower Rest House is located at the front of the botanical garden zone. It includes a large greenhouse displaying tropical plants and a separate orchid room. Visitors can enjoy tropical and subtropical vegetation throughout the year, experiencing the atmosphere of a warm-climate garden even outside the summer season.
The Greenery Consultation Center provides advice and guidance on flowers, trees, gardening, and other topics related to plants. It also supports local greening activities and serves as a useful resource for people interested in plants and horticulture.
The amusement park offers attractions for children and adults, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, and teacup rides. Most rides cost 200 yen per ride, although some attractions have different prices.
The amusement park has 10 types of large rides and 40 smaller rides. Its attractions are designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, from young children to older visitors. Gentle rides, including a monorail and Ferris wheel, provide relaxing ways to enjoy the park.
Ride prices range from 10 yen to 200 yen, making many of the attractions affordable for families. The spacious grounds also provide room for children to play and enjoy their visit.
The Ferris wheel, carousel, and miniature train are especially popular with young children. These attractions offer simple, enjoyable experiences for families and help make the gardens a destination where visitors can spend much of the day.
The facility opened in 1929 as Kumamoto Zoo, on land to the east of Suizenji Jojuen Garden. At the time, the zoo occupied approximately 9,900 square meters and displayed a relatively limited collection of animals.
In 1969, the zoo moved to its present location beside Lake Ezu, allowing the facility to expand substantially. After the move, it was also known as the “Waterside Zoo,” reflecting its lakeside setting and the use of the surrounding natural environment in its exhibits.
In 1986, the zoo became one of the venues for the Fourth National Urban Greening Fair in Kumamoto, known as “Green Picnic ‘86.” Part of the event was held in an area called Animal Plaza.
The botanical zone that had been used during the fair was subsequently incorporated as a permanent botanical garden. In 1991, the facility was renamed Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, reflecting its expanded role as both a zoo and a botanical garden.
The Kumamoto Earthquake of 2016 caused serious damage to the gardens. Ground uplift and subsidence occurred throughout the grounds, and many animals had to be evacuated. The facility was temporarily closed while safety checks and restoration work were carried out.
Some facilities reopened in February 2017, and recovery work continued in stages. The reopening marked an important step in restoring this much-loved public attraction and returning it to the community.
The gardens are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last admission is at 4:30 p.m.
The gardens are closed on Mondays. If Monday is a public holiday, the regular closing day moves to the next weekday. The facility is also closed during the New Year holiday period.
Adults and high school students: 500 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen
Preschool children and younger: Free
Groups of 30 or more people receive a 20% discount.
Parking is free on weekdays. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the parking fee is 200 yen per standard vehicle and 1,000 yen per large vehicle.
The parking facilities can accommodate approximately 1,225 standard vehicles and 58 buses, making the gardens accessible to both individual visitors and organized groups.
From Dōshokubutsuen-iriguchi tram stop on the Kumamoto City Tram, the gardens are approximately 800 meters away on foot. From Suidocho Intersection tram stop, the distance is approximately 950 meters.
Bus services also provide access to the gardens. Visitors can use the Dōshokubutsuen-iriguchi or Dōshokubutsuen-nishiguchi bus stops, which serve the surrounding area.
The gardens are approximately 5 kilometers from the Mashiki-Kumamoto Airport Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. The large parking area makes traveling by car a convenient option for families and groups.
Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens combines wildlife exhibits, seasonal flowers, traditional garden scenery, greenhouses, and amusement rides in one expansive setting. Visitors can observe mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, interact with animals at Touch Ai Land, and learn about living things through educational programs.
The botanical garden offers a quieter experience with its Japanese garden, arboretum, seasonal flowers, and tropical greenhouse. Meanwhile, the amusement park provides affordable rides for children and families. Located beside Lake Ezu and within easy reach of central Kumamoto, the gardens are an appealing destination for anyone looking to enjoy nature and spend a relaxing day outdoors.