All I can hope is that my 210¥ feeds one of these poor animals. The parrot had plucked all of its feathers off his belly he was so distressed. The animals are all in cages way to small for them in EXTREME heat. I'm shocked more haven't died. I'm embarrassed I went here and wished I'd read the other similar reviews before going. It's the saddest thing I've ever seen. 😢 And since you can't leave 0 or negative stars I had to pick one. This place is disgusting and not clean. If heat doesn't kill these poor animals disease or sickness will.

Wish I would have read reviews before going. But had gone to Himeji Castle and the gardens and both were so beautiful that me and my friend thought to go. Within 30 secs you realize the horror that is going on. This is not to say the staff do not care. They do. It is just the cages and design are depressing. I am a big fan of learning zoos such as the one in San Fran, US. But this has little laminated signs and the animals barely have enough room to walk around. If you live locally demand the government do a massive upgrade or close this down.

I see a lot of animal rights activists posting in this comment section calling for this zoo to be shut down. Well, if you don't like to see animals in captivity I guess you shouldn't go to any zoo at the first place because keeping animal in captivity is the ultimate concept of a zoo. Personally I like this zoo, it is compact and it provides good value. I will definitely come back if I ever come to Himeji again.

I would never go to this zoo again. I was shocked to see the tiny cage of the animals. It was clear at the very first cage that the animals are having social/ behavioral issues (going up and down on the same spot and lethargy). A 500 pound polar bear has about 15m2 of cement floor and a tiny pool he barely fits in. There are no toys or distractions for the animals. Considering that many of the species are on the endangered list (polar bear, lions, elephants, giraffe, red panda, red kangaroo), this is just a shame to see them suffering like that. What we also didn't understand was, for example how two zebras are kept in different stables, while being able to see each other. In other areas there was only one animal, even though they come in groups naturally. Terrible, is all I can say to that.

I'd like to give 0 stars.. if you like to see poor unhappy animals please visit this zoo. i almost cried when i saw this poor lonley elephant. polar bears lying in the heat of 20°C (i visited the zoo in november) with no AC or cold water. i don't want to imagine how they suffer during summer. Hippos lying in a dirty water tank so small they can't even turn around. I wish i'd never visit this zoo, it really broke my heart. hope it will be closed asap.

How on earth is this "zoo" allowed to stay open. The "enclosures" are tiny, dirty and run down. All the animals look depressed and or incredibly stressed out, esspecially the bear who kept walking around the miniscule cage looking for a way out. Honestly an incredible example of animal abuse and neglect. Would've given zero stars if I could. I feel ashamed for paying additions to support this hell whole. If the Japanese government gave a single care they should seize these animals to be transported to more suitable enclosures or habitats. Also this "zoo" should be condemned, it is incredibly run down and disgusting. For the sake of humanity and animal rights this place should be closed forever.

Don't waste your time and money there ! This place is a nightmare for animals ! The polar bears don't have enough place to play. The sea lion cannot even swim because there is only 50cm of water. Just look at my pictures and you'll see...

Just standing outside, peering over the fence. The polar bear is pacing left and right in distress. The enclosure is too tiny! 10 steps to left. 10 steps to right. It’s shocking and heart breaking. Please consider before visiting “zoos”.

I don’t usually review, but this was an exception. I wish I had read about this before going. The conditions are animal cruelty level. Many animals have patches or fur and feathers missing. The cages are tiny and in sad condition. It was a heartbreaking experience.

I really enjoyed this too. It was only ¥210for adults and only 30 Yen for children. I think it is very affordable and for the price it is definitely worth it.

I, like others, wish I had read the reviews before going. It was an abysmal zoo and looked like something out of a horror film. They should shut the zoo down. Absolute shame for the living conditions of these animals.

This is the most cruel zoo I have ever been. I know many zoos in general aren't the greatest for animals but at the very least large animals need space. For example the hippopotamus in this picture is in such a small room he takes up almost the entire space laying down. He could probably walk only like 2 steps. Even worse were the birds, they have them chained up with a leash so they can only sit perched up "pretty" on the post. They can't fly around or even walk around at all. They are literally bound there. It's so sad. Please don't go and support such a horrible zoo.

Like many of the people who left reviews, we chanced upon this ‘zoo’ after a long visit to the beautiful castle, with two kids in tow and didn’t stop to read the reviews. We regretted it as soon as we walked in. Something needs to be done to close this place down!!!!! These poor animals are not going to last long.

The entry fee is really cheap and idk if the animals are being treated right but i guess its a nice area to chill after walking for a few hours. In the morning you can see the workers training the birds too! I mean honestly what did you expect with that cheap entry fee

Besuch nicht zu empfehlen. War eine extrem traumatisierende und negative Erfahrung. Die Tiere sind krank, verstört und werden in extrem kleinen Gehegen gehalten, welche eher Gefängniszellen gleichen. Der Bär und die Löwen haben in der Zelle nichts ausser Betonboden und einen Holzstamm - kein Wasser, keine Beschäftigung, kein Essen. Das Kamel schäumt aus dem Mund. Ein Fuchs dreht durch und läuft durchgehend im Kreis (siehe Video). Sehr trauriges Erlebnis, ich würde dies keinem Tierfreund empfehlen, bitte diesen Zoo nicht unterstützen!

There is a clear trend between Japanese reviews and non Japanese reviews. Non Japanese people seem to know that this is animal cutely at its best... Especially the bear and the lions hurt my sould... they have to live on 20 sqm. The bear did that all alone for the last 30 years... Poor soul.

In simple words: ANIMAL CRUELTY Very small space especially for lions, bear- they need big Area. Animals seems depressed, restless. Odour from cage- hygiene issues. No tarrain development as per needs of each animal. Simply put, a depressing place we just went out from half way inside the zoo..

I wish I read the reviews before going here. The tickets are insanely cheap (210 yen for adults) and you can see the animals from very close. But the enclosures are insanely small. Like super tiny and you can just see it's not good for the animals (especially the lions & bear). It's sad and depressing.

The place is nice, and the entrance free is pretty cheap. It's a good trip after visiting the castle. You can even get a unique glimpse of the castle (see attached photo). You can go around in less than an hour, so it is quite small. What I didn't like is that most of the animals have very small place to be, and some of them appeared to be stressed out by this (eg. the bear). Beside this all animals appeared to be well taken care of, the cages were clean. Overall I think it worth a visit.

Last week I visited that zoo because it was next to Hemeji castle. I was feeling so sad about animals because they put them in small cages not enough to move around specially big bear, hippotomas,kangaroo, monkeys poor birds.

It's cheap, and has some attractions for kids. But, as with most zoos in Japan, the space for the animals is tiny and quite run-down.

This was a surprisingly large zoo beside Himeji Castle, with so many animals! The best thing was the low ticket price (210 yen). However, we felt the enclosure was a little small for the larger animals like the lions and polar bear.

Small zoo which definitely needs renovation, a lot of space, big walks but animals are in small cages. Depressing to see.

Yes it has a cheap entry fee but the enclosures are too small and animals do not look well kept. Could basically reach my arms out to the width of the bear enclosure and moat animals have no stimulation oin their cages, just a diet floor and a small amount of water. This will honestly depress you as animals do nothing but pace back and forth anxiously.

I went there when I saw the castle nearby was closed at 4pm. The place seemed decent from outside even though I was a bit surprised by how cheap the tickets were for that many animals.( 3 euros) It’s just by going inside that I realized how small and not well taken care of the animals spaces were. The lion is in a 3 meters square cage and the bear as well. They were moving all over the place trying to escape and making insane distress suffering anxious sounds . The hippo is in this insanely small area where he almost touch both sides of the room. He seem desperate and lonely. The place doesn’t seems to provide the right amount of space for each animal and the animals seem to be really sad and unhealthy mentally. A really sad experience, I definitely hope the conditions of these amazing animals will evolve for the best because this seems just like true cruelty.

We wanted to kill some time before heading to the castle and thought: hey a cute zoo! Well, this was the absolute worst zoo experience I had so far. I feel really bad to have spent money for this and thus supported this animal cruelty that is going on in there. EVERY animal enclosure is way too small. The animals look miserable, tired, bored or even almost about to snap. They walk in circles or only lay around. The floors in the cages are almost all made of concrete. No grass or mulch is used, even though it’s the animals normal habitat. I don’t even want to start on the bird cages. The birds are not able to fly one bit. It’s not a zoo, it’s a prison for animals. I really would advise to not go there. And I couldn’t take photos because I was way too shocked and sad.

Do *not* visit this place - the animals are kept in squalid and cramped conditions and are clearly very anxious and unsettled. Very little care is given to animal welfare and it is heartbreaking to see.

Would give 0 stars if possible. Completely cruel to the animals, many didn’t even have water during the middle of a summers day and all were depressed and lacking appropriate space or enrichment. This place should be shut down.

If I could post a negative score I would . The animal husbandry is disgraceful. This is not a zoo it’s a prison . The animals are caged in small concrete cages which are completely unsuitable to their size and for their health and wellbeing . No indication of providing anything to keep them stimulated . Many of the animals are just walking around in circles . I can only hope the officials look at these posts and make changes .

DO NOT VISIT THIS ZOO. I left feeling quite upset that I paid admission for this zoo without reading the reviews first. The animals are kept in tiny cages that are not big enough for them to move around properly in. There was multiple animals that appeared to have injuries present that haven’t been attended to. Birds missing feathers and bird cages being way too small for them that they can’t even fly around. All the animals appeared lethargic and were sleeping. Animals are kept in such small cages that they are fighting each other. I wish I could give it 0 stars. Please do not come to this zoo. It needs to be closed down

Please don't come to this zoo, the entry is cheap but the park is outdated and animals are kept in ridiculously small enclosures and conditions in general are poor. Very depressing to see.

I would give 0 stars if that was an option. The animals are kept in tiny, enclosures with hard concrete floors. There is very little greenery in the enclosures and the enclosures are not appropriate for the animals needs. The animals display very obvious signs of distress, with the monkeys fighting and the bear continuously pacing up and down the same wall of its enclosure. The hippo is in a tiny pool, that it can barely turn around in, surrounded by concrete. The zebras are also separated from each other even though they are a social creatures. It was very distressing PLEASE DO NOT VISIT and support this.

Himeji City Zoo is located at the foot of Himeji Castle. It is rare in Japan! You can interact with animals, and also enjoy a mini amusement park and a great view of Himeji Castle. The entrance fee is only 210 yen for adults and 30 yen for children. The prices are reasonable compared to other zoos in Japan. We planted aristolochia, a food for black butterflies. You can see beautiful black butterflies during summer. The zoo will become a more and more attractive place.

Terrible conditions of all the animals. The hippo lives on a tiny pool. The bear seems to have kind of injure/infection on the skin and the camel is only skin and bones. All the facilities are extremelly old, small, and totally inadecuated Terrible!!! Please close the Zoo and send the animals to a proper place!

Lovely and cozy zoo with lots of mini rides for kids

The sadest most cruel zoo i’ve seen in my life. Do not support this. Picture of the bird cages with Hawks etc.

I have never posted a review before, but the cruelty and sheer neglect for the animals in this ‘zoo’ has compelled me to leave one for this place. The cages and enclosures are ridiculously small and the animals look miserable. Large animals, especially the brown bear, lion and the hippopotamus, have basically no space to move around. When we were there every single animal was inactive and looked incredibly distressed in their tiny and unkept cages. The whole place looks dilapidated. Kids rides are covered in shrubs and rusted over, railings and cages are rusty and peeling. It legitimately looks straight out of a zombie movie. Honestly left with a sick feeling and sadness for the animals suffering here. Severely regretting supporting this place with the initially exciting 210 yen entry fee. I wish I could leave a negative score on this place. If this, and the many other 1 star reviews on this place aren’t sufficient to dissuade you from coming here, then hopefully your experience will prompt you to leave a review that can discourage others from making the mistake of coming here.