Nasu Animal Kingdom
那須どうぶつ王国
A zoo on the Nasu Highlands with more than 600 animals, split into mostly indoor Kingdom Town and ranch-like Kingdom Farm, where you see them up close.
An animal kingdom on the Nasu Highlands
Nasu Animal Kingdom is a zoo on the Nasu Highlands in Nasu town, in the north of Tochigi Prefecture near the border with Fukushima Prefecture. It opened in 1998, at first as a place centred on dogs and cats that showed "a natural relationship between people and animals". Since a new company took over running it in 2006, it has greatly widened the range of animals it keeps.
The site is large, about 430,000 square metres, and more than 600 animals live here. It is divided into two areas, Kingdom Town (Okoku Town), which is mostly indoors, and Kingdom Farm (Okoku Farm), with pastures spreading out in the countryside, and you can travel between them by bus.
From wild cats to waterside creatures
The zoo is known for small wild cats such as the Pallas's cat and the sand cat, and a video of its Pallas's cats once caused a big stir. Among Japan's own wildlife, it also keeps the Tsushima leopard cat (a wild cat that lives on Tsushima island in Nagasaki Prefecture) and the rock ptarmigan.
There are plenty of other animals to see at close range too, including capybaras, otters and penguins. A jaguar joined in 2018, and Amur tigers and Arctic wolves also live here. There are programmes you can take part in rather than just watch, such as feeding the penguins or alpacas.
Shows and the farm
"BROAD", a bird performance in which birds of prey (meat-eating birds such as eagles and hawks) fly overhead, is one of the zoo's signature attractions. On the farm you can also watch the "New Zealand Farm Show", where sheepdogs round up sheep.
The official website also introduces "ZOO STUDY!", a new programme for learning about animals through hands-on experience. Show times and content vary from day to day, so check the schedule on the day.
Getting there and seasonal notes
By car, it is about 15 minutes from the Nasu-Kogen Smart IC (interchange) on the Tohoku Expressway, or about 30 minutes from the Nasu IC. By train, a free shuttle bus runs from Nasushiobara Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (about 70 minutes, advance booking required).
In winter Kingdom Farm closes and only Kingdom Town is open. At some times of year there are also regular closing days. Opening hours, prices and closing days change with the season, so check the official website before you go.
Tips
- The free shuttle bus from Nasushiobara Station must be booked. If you are going by train, reserve early on the official website.
- Kingdom Farm is closed in winter. If you want to enjoy the ranch area and the farm shows, it is best to visit outside winter.
- There are restaurants in the zoo serving meals and sweets, and accessibility facilities such as wheelchairs to borrow.
- Kingdom Farm has a dog run.
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
