Zoorasia Yokohama with Kids: A Local Mom’s Guide
Visited multiple times | Kids: toddler & preschooler
If you’re looking for a zoo experience in Japan that actually feels different — not just animals behind glass, but real, immersive, “wait, is that lion right there?” moments — Zoorasia in Yokohama is the one.
We’ve been twice, once when they were toddler and preschooler age, and again a year later. Both times, my son was completely glued to the animals. My daughter, whose interest in wildlife has been gradually replaced by interest in playgrounds, still had a great time — because Zoorasia has those too.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Quick Info
| Would I recommend it? | Yes — one of the best zoos in Japan for families |
| Best for | ✔ Animal lovers · ✔ All ages · ✔ Picnic families |
| Not ideal for | ✘ Families with very limited time or energy for walking |
| Best age | Any age — stroller-friendly throughout |
| Crowd level (weekends) | Busy, but the park is so large it never feels crowded |
| Stroller-friendly? | Fully accessible — rental strollers also available |
| English support | The official website offers translations in multiple languages. |
| Parking | Available on-site |
| Time needed | Full day |
Why We Loved Zoorasia with Kids
1. The animals feel shockingly close
This is what sets Zoorasia apart from most zoos I’ve been to in Japan. The enclosures are huge and designed to mimic natural habitats, which means the animals actually move. My son, still a toddler at the time, was completely captivated — pointing and shouting “they’re swimming!” at the polar bears and “they’re running!” at other exhibits. He barely blinked.
The lion exhibit has a glass wall, so you can come face to face with a lion at eye level. Our older one crept towards it very slowly, half terrified, half fascinated. The walk-in bird cage lets birds walk right past your feet. For a very young toddler, an elephant looming nearby was apparently a bit much (he was scared 😅), but a year later, that same closeness had become the highlight of the day.
2. It’s also a really good park
Scattered throughout the zoo are large playground areas with climbing structures and open spaces. By our second visit, she was starting to lose interest in animals, these became her main reason to keep walking. If you have a mix of animal-obsessed and playground-obsessed kids, this place genuinely works for both.
3. Big enough that it never feels overcrowded
We’ve visited on weekends and yes, there are people — but the grounds are so expansive that it rarely feels congested. Unlike Ueno Zoo in central Tokyo, where you’re often shuffling along in a crowd, at Zoorasia you can take your time at each exhibit without feeling rushed or jostled. As someone who’s done a lot of Tokyo-area zoos with young kids, that breathing room makes a real difference.
What My Kids Loved Most
Our younger one — first visit (toddler)
- Immediately overwhelmed by how close the elephant was — clung to us! 😅
- Fascinated by any animal that moved near him
Our younger one — second visit
- Completely absorbed by the giant polar bear exhibit — watched them swim from multiple angles
- Kept running ahead to see what was next
Our older one — first visit (preschool age)
- Fascinated and slightly terrified by the lion through the glass wall
- Loved the walk-in bird area where birds walked right past her feet
Our older one — second visit
- Less into the animals by this point, but fully into the playgrounds
Things to Know Before You Go
It’s a big park — plan your route
Zoorasia covers a huge area, and you genuinely won’t see everything in one visit. If you have young children who tire easily, check the shuttle bus route before you go — there’s an in-park bus that can save tired little legs (and tired parent legs too).
Bring a stroller if you have one, or rent one at the park. The paths are fully accessible and stroller-friendly throughout.
Food
There are cafés and restaurants inside the park.
→ Restaurant & café info (Japanese)
That said — we’re a bring-your-own-lunch family, and Zoorasia is genuinely one of the best parks for it. There are plenty of benches and open picnic areas throughout the grounds. Eating outside with animals in view? Hard to beat. If the weather is good, I’d strongly recommend packing your own food and finding a picnic spot.
Getting There
By car: Parking is available on-site. We drove both times and had no trouble finding a space.
By train & bus: Please check the official website for the latest access information.
Tips from a Local Mom
- Bring a stroller or rent one on-site — the park is large and little legs will tire
- Pack your own lunch and find a picnic spot — there are plenty of open spaces and it’s much more relaxing than queuing at a café
- Use the shuttle bus if your kids (or you) start running out of steam
- Budget a full day — there’s more here than you can cover in half a day
FAQ
Is Zoorasia good for toddlers? Yes — we first visited when our younger one was still a toddler. The close animal encounters are exciting (and occasionally overwhelming 😅), but the stroller-friendly paths and open spaces make it very manageable.
How long do you need at Zoorasia? A full day is ideal. The park is large enough that you won’t see everything even in a full day.
Is there parking at Zoorasia? Yes, there’s on-site parking available.
Can you bring your own food? Yes — there are picnic areas and plenty of benches throughout the park. We always bring our own lunch and highly recommend it.
Is Zoorasia stroller-friendly? Fully accessible. You can also rent strollers at the park if you don’t want to bring your own.
