Suzaka City Zoo is a municipal zoo located within Garyu Park in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. Closely connected with the local community, the zoo has been a popular place for recreation since it opened on October 1, 1962. Its compact size and warm atmosphere make it an appealing destination for families and travelers looking for a relaxed wildlife experience.
The zoo makes effective use of the natural terrain of Mount Garyu. Animal enclosures are built along the mountain slopes, creating green, spacious environments where animals can be observed in surroundings that feel connected to nature. Japanese deer and many other animals can be seen throughout the grounds.
The southern section of the zoo includes an aquarium that focuses mainly on freshwater fish, as well as playground equipment designed for young children. These facilities make it easy for families with children to spend several enjoyable hours exploring the zoo.
Near the main entrance facing Ryuga Pond stands D51-class steam locomotive No. 401. The large locomotive is an unusual addition to the zoo and is particularly popular with railway enthusiasts.
One of the distinctive charms of Suzaka City Zoo is the intimate distance between visitors and the animals. Handwritten information boards and other handmade touches give the zoo a friendly, personal character that differs from large-scale commercial zoos.
The zoo gained nationwide attention through its famous red kangaroo, Hatch. His appearances on Japanese television programs, including Shimura Zoo, made him a household name in Japan. Hatch became particularly famous for his energetic habit of kicking a punching bag, an entertaining behavior that helped introduce Suzaka City Zoo to audiences across the country.
Hatch had several offspring with Clara, a female kangaroo that came from Kobe City, including Clutch and Catch. The kangaroo family became beloved by visitors. Hatch died of old age in 2009, but he remains an important part of the zoo’s history and is still remembered fondly by many people.
During winter, visitors can enjoy one of the zoo’s most charming seasonal attractions: Capybara Hot Springs. The capybaras relax in a warm outdoor bath, creating a peaceful and amusing scene that has become a favorite winter spectacle.
Suzaka City Zoo hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Programs include the Night Zoo Exploration, Merry Christmas ZOO, Happy New Year events, photography exhibitions, forums, and other special programs.
These events offer visitors opportunities to discover the animals and the zoo from different perspectives, while also strengthening the zoo’s connection with the local community.
The mammal collection includes red kangaroos, Japanese dogs including Kawakami dogs, capybaras, caracals, Japanese black bears, mantled baboons, common patas monkeys, Formosan rock macaques, Japanese macaques, raccoons, masked palm civets, Japanese raccoon dogs, silver foxes, Bengal tigers, Barbary sheep, prairie dogs, ponies, miniature pigs, goats, donkeys, and ring-tailed lemurs, among others.
The Bengal tigers Garo and Mio are among the zoo’s notable residents, while the variety of smaller mammals provides plenty of opportunities for visitors to discover unfamiliar species.
The bird collection includes yellow-crowned amazons, white-tailed eagles, Humboldt penguins, flamingos, Indian peafowl, white peafowl, golden pheasants, silver pheasants, kalij pheasants, Japanese bantams, Japanese green pheasants, budgerigars, and common kestrels, among others.
The zoo is also home to a white-tailed eagle known for being one of the longest-lived individuals of its species in Japan.
The zoo’s Taxidermy Museum displays specimens representing 13 species of mammals, 14 species of birds, and two species of reptiles. These exhibits provide an opportunity to learn more about animal anatomy and diversity through preserved specimens.
The zoo once operated an aquarium featuring species such as the Japanese giant salamander and golden-colored catfish. Due to the aging of the facility, however, the aquarium closed permanently on May 6, 2015.
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Last admission is at 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, except when Monday is a public holiday, in which case the zoo closes the following day. The zoo is also closed from December 29 through December 31.
April, May, and August: Open every day.
Admission: 200 yen for general visitors and high school students or older; 70 yen for junior high school students and younger. Preschool children enter free when accompanied by a guardian.
Group discounts are available, with a 10% discount for groups of 30 or more and a 20% discount for groups of 100 or more.
From Suzaka Station on the Nagano Dentetsu Line, take the Suzaka City Community Bus. The Nanboku Line, Sengi Line, and Yoneko Line provide access to either the Garyu Park or Garyu Park Entrance bus stop. From the bus stop, the zoo is approximately a 10-minute walk.
On Sundays and public holidays, only the Sengi Line operates.
Garyu Park and Suzaka City Zoo share several parking areas, including those in front of the municipal museum, at the west entrance, east of the nursing school, and near the tennis courts.
Parking is generally free. During the annual cherry blossom festival, however, some parking areas may charge a fee.
A visit to Suzaka City Zoo can easily be combined with time at the neighboring Garyu Park. The park was developed in 1931 according to a design by Seiroku Honda and is recognized as one of Japan’s notable cherry blossom destinations.
Approximately 800 cherry trees bloom throughout the park in spring, accompanied by seasonal flowers such as irises, wisteria, azaleas, and hydrangeas. The changing scenery makes the park enjoyable throughout the year.
Mount Garyu is associated with a local legend about a young man who transformed into a dragon and caused havoc after being prevented from marrying the woman he loved. The mountain also contains historical attractions, including ancient burial mounds, the remains of Suda Castle, and the mausoleum of the Hori family, former lords of Suzaka Domain.
Walking trails through the mountain allow visitors to experience both the natural landscape and the history of the area at a leisurely pace.
Around Ryuga Pond, traditional tea houses provide places to rest and enjoy local specialties. Among the foods associated with the park are black oden and Japanese dumplings.
Cherry blossoms in spring, refreshing greenery in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snow-covered scenery in winter give Garyu Park a different character in every season.
Suzaka City Zoo may be smaller than Japan’s major urban zoos, but its intimate atmosphere, distinctive animal exhibits, handmade character, and strong connection with the local community are part of its appeal.
Combined with a walk through Garyu Park, visitors can enjoy animals, seasonal nature, local history, and traditional food in a single outing. The destination is well suited not only to families, but also to couples, solo travelers, and anyone looking for a relaxed experience away from the crowds during a trip through Nagano.