Japan is Nippon 日本語
Entrance building of Adventure World in Shirahama with visitors in front
Photo: Nankou Oronain (as36…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Wakayama · zoo aquarium

Adventure World

アドベンチャーワールド

A zoo, aquarium and funfair in one in Shirahama, Wakayama. Get close to savannah animals on safari, watch dolphin shows and meet lots of penguins.

Zebras standing in the Safari World area of Adventure World
Photo: Nankou Oronain (as36…  This photo was taken with Pentax K-01‎, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A group of emperor penguins standing together in their enclosure at Adventure World
Photo: 名古屋太郎, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Zoo, aquarium and funfair in one

Adventure World is a theme park in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. It opened in April 1978 as Nanki Shirahama World Safari and took its current name in 1983.

According to the official website, about 1,600 animals of around 120 species live in the park. It is divided into Safari World, where you see land animals, Marine World, with shows starring sea animals, an amusement area with rides, and more.

The safari and the dolphin shows

In Safari World you can ride the Kenya-go, a vehicle shaped like a train, to see animals that live on the grasslands. There is also a walking safari.

Marine World puts on dolphin and sea lion shows. The amusement area has rides for everyone from children to adults.

After the pandas left, and the penguins

From 1994 Adventure World kept giant pandas in cooperation with a Chinese research institution and was famous for the many cubs born there. However, the last four were returned to China on 28 June 2025, and you can no longer see giant pandas here.

One of the big draws today is the penguins. According to the official website, about 470 penguins of 10 species live here, from the emperor penguin, the world's largest, to the very smallest kind. Only a handful of facilities in the world have succeeded in breeding emperor penguins, and this is one of them.

From 24 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, LIGHT PARKS, an event that lights up the park at night, will be held, and you can enjoy a night safari too.

Getting there

From JR Shirahama Station, take a Meiko Bus to the Adventure World stop. According to the official website, it takes about 2 hours by train from Osaka to Shirahama Station, or about three and a half hours by bus from Osaka (Namba or Osaka Station). You can also get there by bus or taxi from Nanki-Shirahama Airport. Closing days and opening hours vary by season, so check the official website.

Tips

  • The park closes on irregular days. Always check the opening calendar on the official website before you go.
  • There are no pandas any more. If you go by old guidebooks or web information, you may be disappointed, so be aware.

Sources

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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