You still have time for summer vacation! Zoos and aquariums you can visit on a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area

A must-see for those who haven't yet traveled anywhere during summer vacation! We've compiled a list of five zoos and aquariums in Kanagawa and Izu that are within a day trip from Tokyo. Each one boasts a wide variety of animal exhibits, making it a great place to enjoy. [Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia] 🐯 1175-1 Kamishirone-cho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 241-0001 🚌 From the north exit of Tsurugamine Station on the Sotetsu Line or the north exit of Mitsukyo Station on the Sotetsu Line, take the bus bound for Yokohama Zoo for approximately 15 minutes. Or, from the south exit of Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line or Yokohama Municipal Subway, take the bus bound for Yokohama Zoo for approximately 18 minutes. It takes about an hour by bus from Yokohama Station to Yokohama Zoo (services are infrequent). 🕘 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM (entry until 4:00 PM) Closed Tuesdays and New Year's holidays 🎫 Adults ¥800, Junior and Senior High School Students ¥300, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥200, Free for Children Under Elementary School 👆 This zoo offers animal observations based on the ecology of different regions, including the Amazon, Oceania, Asia, and Japan. You can see unique proboscis monkeys and dholes, as well as rare species like okapi, Sumatran tigers, and Bornean orangutans. My personal favorite is the adorable rock hyraxes running around the rocky terrain! [Nogeyama Zoo] 🐿️ 63-10 Oimatsucho, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0032 🚶 15-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line or Yokohama Municipal Subway Or 10-minute walk from Hinodecho Station on the Keikyu Line 🚌 Take Municipal Bus Route 89 to Ipponmatsu Elementary School and get off at Nogeyama Zoo-mae 🕘 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Entry until 4:00 PM) Closed Mondays and New Year's Holidays 🎫 Free 👆 This zoo, conveniently located near Minato Mirai, offers free admission. It's hard to believe it's free, as the park is packed with so much to see, and there's even a friendly area where kids can interact with animals! It's uphill from the station, so we recommend taking the bus. [Enoshima Aquarium] 🐠 2-19-1 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture 251-0035 🚶 3-minute walk from Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line, 10-minute walk from Enoshima Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway, 10-minute walk from Shonan-Enoshima Station on the Shonan Monorail 🕘 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 🎫 Adults ¥2,800 / High School Students ¥1,800 / Elementary and Middle School Students ¥1,300 / Preschoolers (3 years and older) ¥900 👆 The "Jellyfish Fantasy Hall," which made Enoshima Aquarium famous, was apparently the result of years of experience in breeding research and exhibit techniques. Approximately 14 types of jellyfish, including rare species, were on display in a semi-dome-shaped space designed to resemble the inside of a jellyfish's body. The jellyfish show "Jellyfish in Space," which is performed using 3D projection mapping several times a day, is a must-see, but I was also particularly interested in the exhibit on the manned submersible research vessel "Shinkai 2000." In addition to the actual jellyfish on display, there was also an easy-to-understand comparison chart of submersibles from around the world and models of ships, which was very educational. In the Humboldt penguin corner, a penguin family tree and the profile of each bird were displayed on the monitors, making the observation even more enjoyable and helping you develop an attachment to the penguins. [Hakkeijima Sea Paradise] 🐠 Address: Hakkeijima, Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 236-0006 🚶 Approximately 15 minutes walk from Hakkeijima Station on the Yokohama Seaside Line 🕘 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 🎫 Aqua Resorts Pass: Adults & High School Students ¥3,500 / Seniors (65 and over) ¥3,000 / Elementary & Middle School Students ¥2,200 / Preschoolers (4 and over) ¥1,200 *+¥300 on certain days (July 19th (Sat), 20th (Sun), 26th (Sat), August 2nd (Sat), 9th (Sat), 10th (Sun), 16th (Sat), 23rd (Sat), September 13th (Sat), and 14th (Sun).) Various ticket types are also available, including one-day passes and night passes. 👆 One of the most impressive attractions at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise was the "Super Sardine Illusion," in which approximately 50,000 sardines dance in sync with sound and light. It's held several times a day, meaning it can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. With a dolphin show, red pandas, otters, prairie docks, and more, it's sure to be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's also easily accessible, just 30 minutes from Yokohama Station. Beyond beluga whales, there are also land creatures and an amusement park, making it a truly exciting spot! [Izu Shaboten Zoo] 🐻 1317-13 Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0231 🚌 Approximately 35 minutes by Tokai Bus from Ito Station Approximately 25 minutes by taxi from Ito Station Approximately 20 minutes by Tokai Bus from Izukogen Station Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Izukogen Station 🕘 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM 🎫 Adults ¥2,700 / Elementary School Students ¥1,300 / Toddlers (4 years and older) ¥700 *Additional ¥100 on weekends and holidays for elementary school students and older 👆 This zoo is famous for its original capybara open-air bath. While the capybaras are soothed in the yuzu bath in winter, there's plenty to see in the summer as well. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, including animal boat tours that take you around the small island where the animals live, a petting corner, and a cactus picking workshop, so it's perfect for families. #JapanTravelGuide #DomesticTravel #KanagawaSightseeing #Sightseeing #Zoo #Aquarium