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Capybaras soaking in a warm outdoor bath at Saitama Children's Zoo
Photo: Doricono, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Saitama · zoo aquarium

Saitama Children's Zoo

埼玉県こども動物自然公園

A zoo in the green Hiki Hills of Higashimatsuyama, Saitama, with quokkas found nowhere else in Japan, koalas, and capybaras soaking in hot baths.

Koala climbing a branch at Saitama Children's Zoo
Photo: Minkuru3296, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Castle-shaped Children's Castle building inside Saitama Children's Zoo
Photo: Minkuru3296, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A zoo set in the hills

Saitama Children's Zoo is a zoo in the Hiki Hills in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. It opened on 5 May 1980 and is run by the Saitama Prefectural Park Green Space Association, a public interest foundation.

The zoo area alone covers about 46 hectares, and there are also walking trails and a cross-country course. It is laid out so that you walk over green hillsides to visit the animals.

Quokkas and koalas

One of the biggest favourites is the quokka, a small member of the wallaby family from Australia. The quokkas arrived to mark the zoo's 40th anniversary, and Saitama Prefecture's official tourism site says this is the only zoo in Japan where you can see them.

The zoo also keeps koalas, and 2026 marks 40 years of koalas here. Altogether there are about 150 species, including giraffes and red pandas.

Penguin Hills and the capybara hot bath

Penguin Hills is a large exhibit that recreates the habitat of Humboldt penguins, so you can watch the penguins going about their lives.

The winter highlight is the Capybara Onsen, where capybaras soak in hot water (onsen means hot spring). For small children there is plenty to do: a corner for handling guinea pigs and rabbits, pony rides, and cow milking.

Getting there

From Takasaka Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, take a bus bound for Hatoyama New Town and get off at Kodomo Dobutsu Shizen Koen after about 5 minutes. By car, it is about 10 minutes from Higashimatsuyama IC or about 20 minutes from Tsurugashima IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.

The zoo is normally closed on Mondays (open if Monday is a public holiday) and over the New Year holiday. Opening hours change with the seasons, so check the official website.

Tips

  • The zoo is large and hilly, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. There is also Saipoppo, a train-shaped ride that goes around the grounds.
  • The capybara hot bath is a winter favourite. If you visit in the cold months, do go and have a look.
  • The zoo is closed every Monday (open if it is a public holiday). Check the official website before you go.

Sources

Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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