About Saitama Children's Zoo

Saitama Children's Zoo is a zoo with a vast site rich in nature, located in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, and is a fun spot for both children and adults. The park offers a wide range of hands-on animal experiences and playground facilities, making it an attractive place where visitors can enjoy the benefits of a zoo and a park at the same time. Taking advantage of its vast site of approximately 46 hectares, the zoo has an open exhibition area that takes into consideration the natural environment, allowing visitors to see the animals at close quarters as they spend their time in a relaxed atmosphere.

First of all, the zoo's distinctive feature is its emphasis on “interaction” with animals. The “petting corner,” where children can directly interact with sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals, is very popular because it allows children to feel the warmth of the animals while interacting with them. In the Kangaroo Area, visitors can see kangaroos hopping around in a large grassy area reminiscent of Australian soil, and it is fascinating to observe the animals in their natural behavior.

The zoo is also known as one of the few zoos in Japan where “koalas” are kept. At the “Koala Pavilion” with koalas, visitors can observe the adorable koalas relaxing in the trees through the glass. Eucalyptus leaves are indispensable for raising koalas, so the koalas are fed fresh eucalyptus grown in the park, and depending on the timing of your visit, you may even be able to watch them eating.

In addition to animal exhibits, the park also has a wide variety of playground equipment and athletic facilities for children to play to their heart's content. For example, the “Children's Castle” playground has a large wooden playground, net playground equipment, slides, and other facilities where children can play freely and exercise. The “Children's Train,” a miniature train that runs through the park, is very popular with young children, allowing them to spend a relaxing time while viewing the natural scenery and animals in the park.

In addition, Saitama Children's Zoo is actively involved in “eco-friendly” activities. The park offers exhibits and hands-on programs that allow children to learn about the ecology of the animals and the natural environment, fostering their interest in nature while they play. In particular, guided tours by animal keepers and feeding experiences are valuable opportunities for children to learn about the ecology and habits of the animals in a fun way.

The park's interior has a different look each season, with cherry blossoms and flowers in full bloom in the spring and beautiful autumn foliage in the fall. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic on the large lawn area and spend a relaxing time in contact with nature, which is an attraction not found in other zoos.

All in all, Saitama Children's Zoo is an attractive sightseeing spot for families, where you can enjoy interacting with animals, playing, and learning about nature all at once. The park, where visitors can observe animal life up close and play in a spacious natural setting, is the perfect place to relax, get away from everyday life for a bit, and experience the richness of animals and nature.