A Must-See for Animal Lovers! 3 Zoos Around Nagano City Where You Can Meet Your Favorite Animals

I'm Takki from Local Knot Backpackers, a guesthouse in Nagano City.

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As a journal entry from our guesthouse staff, this time I would like to talk about zoos around Nagano City.

*This article was written on July 8, 2025.

Enjoy it with your Zenko-ji Temple visit! The locally beloved "Johyama Zoo"

Located about a 12-minute walk from Nagano City's popular tourist spot, Zenko-ji Temple, "Johyama Zoo" is situated in a corner of Johyama Park and is a free-admission zoo that has long been cherished by locals.

Starting with the surprise of meeting California sea lions in Nagano, a prefecture without a coastline, you will find yourself stopping in your tracks to watch the cute sea lions swimming around their circular pool.

You can also experience feeding at the monkey mountain, and the feeding times for the sea lions and monkeys (Sea lions: 11:00 and 15:00 / Monkeys: 10:30 and 15:30) are popular highlights.

I recommend the "Iizuna Forest," where you can enjoy seeing the squirrels in their natural state.
It feels like you are walking through the forest with them. Also, in the summer of 2025, the "World Turtle Exhibition" was held! I was able to see rare turtles from around the world all at once. Having many events like this is another highlight!

The zoo is compact, making it safe for those with small children. There are playground equipment and a mini monorail, making it perfect for families. Furthermore, in the summer, a night-only "Night ZOO" is held, where you can enjoy observing nocturnal animals. Please be sure to stop by in combination with your sightseeing around Zenko-ji Temple!

Bonus: For those with children, the "Nagano Children's Center Naganobi!" next to Johyama Zoo is also recommended

Nagano Children's Center "Naganobi!" is an indoor play and experience facility for children located near Johyama Park in Nagano City.

Based on the concept of "Nurturing children's vitality to live × A comfortable and healing place for everyone," it features activities and playground equipment themed around nature, animals, and science, making it a space that children of a wide range of ages, from 0-year-olds to elementary school students, can enjoy.

With a forest exploration area, space-themed athletics, and a science and creation plaza, it is full of ingenuity to stimulate curiosity while playing, allowing parents and children to spend time relaxing together.

When visiting Johyama Zoo with your family, please be sure to stop by the Children's Center as well!

Come Meet the Descendants of "Ossan Kangaroo" Hatch! The Heartwarming Story of Suzaka City Zoo

Located right next to Nagano City, Suzaka City Zoo is situated within Garyu Park, which is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms in the spring..

There are 600 cherry trees blooming inside and outside the park, and the rows of cherry trees around the pond are even selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots." It is also popular as a spot where you can enjoy both spring cherry blossom viewing and the zoo.

This local zoo is charming for its cozy atmosphere and close proximity to the animals. One particular highlight is the Red Kangaroo "Hatch," also known as the "Ossan (middle-aged man) Kangaroo" who became a hot topic on TV programs. His habit of clinging to a punching bag filled with hay, his powerful kicks, and his relaxed lounging made him a national sensation and the key figure who saved the zoo from the threat of closure.

Today, his descendants—great-grandchildren "Ito," "Match," and "Eight," and great-great-grandchildren "Sakura" and "Light"—live happily in the zoo. It is a delightful time to observe the behaviors of these next-generation kangaroos while looking for traces of Hatch.

The zoo has a main area and a south area, creating a space that nicely blends animals with playground equipment. The animal information panels are very detailed, with thoughtful touches that allow both children and adults to learn while having fun. It is especially recommended for animal lovers!

Furthermore, the capybaras at Suzaka Zoo became famous for taking baths in hot springs. Although the event has ended, you might be lucky enough to see them taking a bath!

Every Saturday in August and on the 15th, the "Saturday Night Zoo" is held, where you can enjoy the expressions of the animals at night. Why not come and experience a reunion with the laid-back kangaroos yourself?

A Must-See for Red Panda Fans! The Impressive Chausuyama Zoo

Spreading across the hills in the southern part of Nagano City, Chausuyama Zoo is a full-scale zoo where you can meet a diverse range of animals, from large animals like elephants and giraffes to small animals like red pandas.

The fluffy and soft red pandas are especially popular. Their adorable expressions and the way they eat bamboo will surely make anyone smile.

The red panda enclosure is divided into outdoor and indoor areas, with the indoor section designed so you can look up and enjoy watching the pandas walk along overhead walkways. Being able to observe them from such a close distance is one of its charms. While only the indoor exhibit is open during the summer, it is well-equipped to provide a cool environment for observation.

In 2023, a new facility called "Lion Hill" opened. You can see lions up close through glass and fully experience the power of these animals. With a tiger enclosure currently under construction, this is a zoo to watch for even more excitement in the future.

There is also a chance to observe elephant health checks. With commentary from the keepers, you can deepen your learning. The zoo is packed with other events, so please check the official website for details and be sure to visit.

A Special Night-Only Experience! See a New Side of Animals at Nagano's "Night ZOO"

On summer nights, a "Night ZOO" event where you can encounter animals in a way you usually can't will be held at three zoos around Nagano City. It is a special summer-only event where you can observe nocturnal animals moving actively in an atmosphere completely different from the daytime.

First, at the previously introduced Shiroyama Zoo, opening hours will be extended until 20:30 on four days: August 16, September 14, October 12, and November 2. From 19:30, a "Nocturnal Animal Guide" will be held, where you can enjoy detailed explanations from the keepers.

At Suzaka Zoo, the zoo will be open until 21:00 as a "Saturday Night Zoo" every Saturday in August and on the 15th. Although it is only in the main park, you can carefully observe the behavior and expressions of the animals from dusk into the night. The charm lies in being able to spend time in a way that is different from the daytime.

And, Chausuyama Zoo is also planning to hold a "Summer Night ZOO" for one week from August 10th to 16th. This is also a valuable chance to take a close look at the animals at night.

While the heat can be a concern during the day, a nice point about the Night ZOO is that you can enjoy it cool and comfortably while cooling off in the evening. Why not visit once to create some summer memories?

Summary | Heartwarming Summer Memories at Nagano's Zoos

How was it? There are many attractive zoos around Nagano City where you can meet unique animals. The charm is that each zoo offers a different way to enjoy your time.

The fun of a zoo is that even the same animal will show completely different expressions depending on the season and time of day. You are sure to have that special encounter that makes you want to visit again and again once you find your "favorite animal." Please go and create some precious memories at a zoo in Nagano!