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Kobe Animal Kingdom

4.5 (200)ZooTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Kobe Animal Kingdom is a captivating and unique zoo and botanical garden hybrid located on Port Island in Kobe. This enchanting destination offers an immersive experience where visitors can interact closely with a diverse array of animals in beautifully designed, naturalistic habitats.

Unlike traditional zoos, Kobe Animal Kingdom emphasizes hands-on encounters and open enclosures, allowing visitors to feed, pet, and observe animals up close. The park is home to a wide variety of species, including capybaras, red pandas, kangaroos, and exotic birds. One of the highlights is the indoor bird aviary, where colorful birds fly freely and may even land on visitors' shoulders.

The botanical aspect of Kobe Animal Kingdom is equally impressive. The park features lush indoor and outdoor gardens with vibrant flowers and tropical plants, creating a serene and picturesque environment. The combination of animals and plant life provides a unique and harmonious experience for nature lovers of all ages.

Kobe Animal Kingdom also offers engaging animal shows and educational programs that teach visitors about wildlife conservation and the animals' natural behaviors. With its interactive approach and stunning natural beauty, Kobe Animal Kingdom is a must-visit destination for families and animal enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable adventure.

Hours:

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

Closed:

Thursdays and December 31 - January 3 for year-end and New Year holidays

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Adults (junior high school students and above): 2,200 yen

Elementary school student: 1,200 yen

Infants (4 and 5 years old): 500 yen

Silver (over 65 years old): 1,600 yen


Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone
+81 78-302-8899
Website
www.kobe-oukoku.com

The area

Address
7-chōme-1-9 Minatojima Minamimachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Kobe Animal Kingdom

5 Stars – An Unforgettable Animal Experience for All Ages Kobe Animal Kingdom is a newly developed, state-of-the-art zoo that offers a refreshing and highly interactive experience. Unlike traditional zoos, this park allows visitors to truly connect with the animals—you can feed, pet, and observe them up close. These special encounters require free timed tickets, which help manage crowding and ensure a calm, enjoyable experience. The park boasts a surprisingly diverse collection of species, including pygmy hippos, pumas, and lesser-known wildcats—animals rarely seen in most zoos. The enclosures are designed with care, offering excellent visibility from all angles, even for small children, making the park extremely family-friendly. What really stands out is the close interaction between visitors, animals, and zookeepers. It’s clear that the staff are passionate and knowledgeable, and they actively engage with guests, creating a meaningful and educational environment. While the entrance fee is slightly above average, the quality of the experience makes it well worth it. Inside, you’ll find several restaurants offering tasty and affordable food, but guests are also welcome to bring their own meals and enjoy the many seating areas and picnic spots. In short, Kobe Animal Kingdom is much more than a zoo—it’s an immersive, hands-on experience that’s perfect for curious kids and animal-loving adults alike. Whether you’re a family or a solo traveler, this park promises a memorable and heartwarming day out
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Yasmin Grassinger
Apr 22, 2025
Best zoo I’ve ever been to (maybe the best on earth) - animals all look healthy and well taken care of. You get to interact directly with many of the animals from only a few feet away. Never been so close to my favorite animals before. Staff are friendly and clearly love their animals. Such a nice calm place to spend an afternoon on our trip to Japan.
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Laura Kershaw
May 30, 2025
One of the best zoos I've been to! (Coming from someone from a country with arguably the best zoo in the world) Extremely interactive experience you will not get anywhere else. Made a day trip from Osaka specially to visit this zoo and didn't regret it at all. A must visit for families with children and animal lovers!
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Raymond Wang
Jun 19, 2025
We went here on a weekday in February. There were quite a lot of visitors & school trips but it wasn’t too crowded or overwhelming. Made a day trip to Kobe from Osaka just to let our kids experience the semi open zoo. It was indeed a pleasant experience to be close up with many of the animals - some you can feed & pet. Even got to run around with the lemurs. Really love how they only charge ¥100 yen for the food to feed the animals. Yes, sold in very small portion but you’re paying for the experience. There seemed to be a specific time allocation to get inside the petting area for rabbits / cats&dogs , there was quite a long line for these areas. And we only managed to get inside the rabbit area. If the waiting time is not too long, it’s worth the queue. There were a lott more animals than we expected. We don’t get this kind of zoo back in Malaysia so we really felt like it was worth it coming here. Zoo was really clean. Staffs were helpful and friendly as well despite the language barrier. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Kobe :) **Bought our tickets in advance from Klook but there didn’t seem to be any line for the tickets on a weekday.
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Wan Farhanah
Mar 13, 2025
For an unforgettable experience in Kobe, look no further! This zoo offers an incredible opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, including some incredibly rare ones. What makes it truly special is the chance to get up close and personal with the wildlife – you might even find animals casually strolling near you without realizing it at first! It's a highly recommended visit. A small tip, you can buy a combo set at Port Liner Sannomiya st., which includes round-trip Port Liner ticket and an admission ticket, with the same price as buying the admission ticket at the zoo directly!
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derek ha
May 31, 2025


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