A winter tradition in Izu, the capybara open-air bath at Izu Shaboten Zoo will be held again this year from November 19 until April 2, 2023. During the event period, guests can watch the adorable capybaras as they enjoy a hot bath once a day at 1:30 PM on weekdays and twice a day at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM on weekends and holidays. 

This season marks the 40th anniversary of the popular event, though it all began as a happy accident. In 1982, an employee cleaning the enclosure with hot water noticed that the capybaras were huddling together in a warm puddle. Since then, each year, employees prepare a warm bath for the animals during winter and early spring. 

During the event period, in addition to the standard open-air baths, the water will be decorated with unique items depending on the season, from yuzu to rose petals.

40th-anniversary goods will available at the Animal Mart Gift Shop at the zoo, as well as the official Izu Shaboten Zoo online store. 

For more information about the event’s schedule, visit the official website.

Adventure World, located in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, has opened its 2022 Spring Festival until April 10, 2022. The event includes a limited-time picnic menu inspired by adorable animals, with desserts made using fresh local fruits. 

Picnic Offerings

Kannonyama Fruits Garden Collaboration Menu

Adventure World Original Menu

Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa has announced a new ‘Animal Sauna,’ inviting guests to spend time with cute animals to heal the body and soul. The sauna will be open from March 1 to May 31, 2022. 

Fans of Gashapon capsule toys know that animal sauna figures are popular among sauna enthusiasts. These figures are only about four centimeters big, but during this sauna event, they will be life-sized and placed within the sauna space! These massive figures were made with the help of Bandai. 

Sauna hats protect guests’ heads and hair from the heat, and sauna ponchos prevent guests from getting too cold after emerging from the space. Now, these hats feature cute animal ears, and the sauna mats are covered in animal prints as well. These will also be available to rent or buy! 

The lounge space will also be transformed, and a drink bar with animal-themed glasses will help guests to rehydrate after time in the sauna. Yes, the lounge space also features life-sized animals, perfect for nature lovers. 

Gashapon figures will be available to purchase on the first floor, so be sure to grab one as a souvenir! 

ⒸBANDAI

Izu Shaboten Zoo’s annual “Capybara Yuzu Hot Bath” event is set to return this winter from December 19, 2020 to January 5, 2021.

In Japan, there’s a saying that you won’t catch a cold if you take a hot yuzu bath, and so it has been a custom since the Edo period to float the fruits on top of the water during the winter season.

Izu Shaboten Zoo’s “Capybara Yuzu Hot Bath” event first started in 1996 and has continued every year since throughout the winter and over the New Year. Visitors flock to see the capybara looking content as they enjoy their warm citrus-smelling baths.

The zoo’s adorable capybara plush toy makes a return this year too. They are made with traditional Japanese colours like indigo blue and emerald green. Their cute appearance are sure to have you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Izu Shaboten Zoo in Ito, Shizuoka has opened its very own hotel Izushaboten Village Petit Hotel which is less than a minutes’ walk from the zoo itself, making it an ideal location for those looking to see the animals so they can take their time at their own leisure.

The hotel offers various different rooms, from modern and chic to the Izu Shaboten Zoo Room, Pirate Room and more. Each room has its own unique touch you won’t find anywhere else. The hotel also offers an accommodation plan that comes with entry tickets to the zoo.

For food, guests can enjoy dining at La Chic, a new restaurant that opened in spring this year that makes use of homegrown vegetables and produce sourced from contracted farmers. Food is served in a semi-buffet style in mornings and evenings so you can make up your own dish. Non-guests can eat here too if they make a reservation*.

*Reservations for non-guests are dependent on free tables and other conditions. The menu style and ingredients and subject to change without notice.

If you’re looking to visit Izu Shaboten Zoo, consider booking a room at their official hotel.

Tobu Zoo will be extending their opening hours on September 14, 15, 21 and 22 to 8pm to hold a special Autumn Night event.

Animal Dinner (A chance to feed the animals)

This is a wonderful opportunity to feed the penguins and elephants. 

Running: September 14, 15, 21 and 22

Penguin Dinner Time: From 5pm

Elephant Dinner Time: From 5:30pm 

Price: ￥500 per group  (maximum of 25 groups)

For both events above, the feeding time will end once 25 groups have participated. 

Animal Night Guide

This is a chance to learn about the lifestyles and fascinating features of each species directly from the team of zookeepers that raise them.

Running: September 14, 15, 21, 22 

Monkey World Jungle Night: From 6:10pm (lasts approx. 20 mins)

Lion Night: 7:20pm (lasts approx 10 mins) 

White Tiger Night: 7:30pm (lasts approx 10 mins) 

* The nighttime lion and white tiger guides will replace the daytime guides running from 2:30pm and 2:40pm respectively.

Traditional Theatre Performance of an Animal Ghost Story

The team of zookeepers has prepared and handmade a traditional Japanese Kamishibai theatre performance. Kamishibai is a form of Japanese street theatre and storytelling which was particularly popular during the 90s. Join the zookeepers on a quiet evening as they tell an old yet terrifying ghost story. Make sure to check out the zookeeper’s interesting costumes too. 

Running: September 15, 22

Times: From 7:00pm (approx. 20 mins long)

Location: Japanese Animal House (日本産動物舎)

Autumn Night ZOO Special Event: Penguin Bar

This bar is the perfect place to sip on your favourite spirits whilst enjoying the graceful view of penguins. You can also purchase merchandise here. Some of the merchandise has been designed with the inspiration of the penguins’ names and even their food. 

Open: September 14, 21

Opening Hours: 5:30pm ー 8:00pm (last orders: 7:30pm)

Location: Penguin Land 

There are so many exhibits and fun attractions running until 8pm. Enjoy a refreshing Autumn night at Tobu Zoo with your family and friends.

Hirakawa Zoo is home to 12 koalas, the most of any other zoo in the country. Last month, one of the mothers gave birth to three baby koalas who have now crawled into her pouch.

The zoo is located in Hirakawacho, Kagoshima. It houses 1,000 animals of around 140 different species. Some of their most popular residents are the koalas and white tigers. The giraffe site is a popular spot too as people like to snap photos with them and Sakurajima in the background, an active volcano.

The marsupial babies are growing slowly day by day. They are weight each day to keep an eye on their health.

The zoo is now currently taking suggestions from the public to help name the three babies. One is male and the other two are female. Each of them were born on different days and are not related.

Head to the zoo and to the koalas for yourself and help them come up with a name. Full details on how to submit can be found below.

A female giant panda was born at Adventure World, a wildlife park with a panda exhibition in Shirahama, Wakayama, on August 14, 2018. She turned 8 days old on August 22.

She is the smallest giant panda cub ever to have been born at Adventure World and the first to be born in two years. She is well fed by her mother Rauhin, drinking from her six to seven times a day. Her weight has increased from 75.0g when she was born to 96.0g, and her height from 15.5cm to 18cm. Details as to when she can be viewed by the public will be released at a later date. For now, the mother and child are being observed by the park.

The new cub marks the 16th panda looked after by Adventure World. Rauhin was first born at the park on September 6, 2000. Eleven of the pandas born and raised there have traveled to China. Four of them are used for breeding and have raised twelve children as of November 2017.

There are said to be just 1,800 giant pandas in the wild. To ensure their protection and increase their survival, important research is being carried out to breed them. Adventure World opened in 1994 as the Japanese subdivision of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Both country’s worked together and started the world’s first breeding lawn for the natural breeding of giant pandas.

The same facility also runs the ‘Shiawase Keikaku’ (Happiness Plan) which ensures the happiness of the giant pandas and all of the people involved with them.

Let’s look forward to the public unveling of the new addition of the Adventure World panda family.

New details for the Attack on Titan and Tobu Zoo collaborative event which was announced last month have been released. The event is set to run from July 14 to October. Let’s take a look at the latest news.

Original Illustrations

Original character designs have been specially drawn for this event. Fans can look forward to seeing main character Eren together with Levi dressed as animal handlers, as well as characters dressed up as animals.

Panel Showcase

There will be life-sized cardboard cutouts of characters from the series, as well as a photo spot recreating the event’s key visual. There will also be boards of the characters disguised as zoo animals.

Life-Size Exhibition

Expect to see a giant 4-meter tall balloon head of the Colossal Titan, life-sized figures of Eren and Levi, and more. There’ll also be a display of the Maneuver Gear that the humans use when taking down the Titans.

Original Merchandise

A huge line-up of original merchandise will be sold featuring artwork drawn for the event, such as badges, acrylic keyrings, folders, tote bags and more. Those who spend ¥2,000 or more (tax included) will also receive an original sticker.

Photo Booth

Take a commemorative photo of your day with cute designs of the characters dressed as animals. Photos can be printed.

Price: ¥600 each

Attack on Titan Themed Food

Enjoy food and dessert inspired by the series. Those who order from this menu will receive an original postcard.

Location: Cornet Pancake House at Tobu Zoo / Event Plaza

Character Voice Announcements

The voice actors and actresses of the series have recorded special announcements specially for the event. They will go off several times a day and each lasts around a minute.

Attack on Titan fans won’t want to miss out on this very special collab!

Animo is a new indoor zoo set to have a pre-opening on March 24th, 2018 that will house a whole litter of animals from cats to rabbits, hedgehogs, owls and more. It will open along “Orange Street” in the stylish area of Minamihorie-dori in Nishi Ward, Osaka.

When the zoo fully opens, it will have many more animal breeds than the pre-opening, and the interior design will be even better.

The mini zoo will be home to small animals such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehods as well as owls, lizards, snakes and more.

The charm of this place is the combination of the cute décor that is based on the theme of ‘yume-kawaii’ (dream-cute) popular with middle school students, together with each of the animals lively bustling together. You can meet the animals face to face in their rooms! In addition, a collection of merchandise will be sold including original accessories as well as other small bits and bobs.

Meet the cute band of animals yourself!

The humor sundry brand, FELISSIMO “YOU＋MORE!” has opened a limited-time-offer shop in “TOKYU HANDS Shinjuku Store” (March 1st (Thurs.) to March 14^th (Wed.)).

 “YOU＋MORE” is a brand that sells many original items which make people’s everyday lives amusing. The limited-time-offer-shop they opened this time will sell many kinds of funny and cute animal sundries using the motifs of animals like rabbits, shiba dogs, pandas, squirrels and hedgehogs.

Below are examples of theses series.

Mofu Mofu Kousagi Pouch – 2,300 yen ＋ tax

A long-haired variety of rabbit called Jersey Wooly is expressed by soft fake fur. The product is very soft and has a fastener on the back so that the users can put small goods like lip cream in them!

Panda Big Cushion 6,900 yen ＋ tax

This is a 5-month old panda cub. You can hug this cushion because it is big! The silhouette, paws, claws and the white/black print look very realistic.

Wallaby Kinchaku Pouch – 2,300 yen ＋ tax

A pouch of a wallaby which is known as “the happiest animal of the world.” This pouch can be used as a goods-storage item since its feet can be used as  clips. Why not get your very own cute pouch!

Korontto Marui Harinezumi Gamaguchi – 2,300 yen ＋ tax

A purse shaped like a hedgehog. The needles on the back are made using boa, so it is very soft and cute. If you put cosmetics or snacks inside the hedgehog becomes roly-poly and it will look like it is curled up.

Mini Wafu Marshmallow Usagi Hozui – 1,480 yen ＋ tax

The rabbit version of the very popular marshmallow series! Each marshmallow has a different facial expression, so the product is suitable to be uploaded onto your SNS. Chocolate is stuffed inside the mouth. The product can be used as a souvenir since the design of the package is very stylish.

Why not get your very own unique and cute animal items!

An American restaurant where you can enjoy your meal and many different kinds of music called, “Hard Rock Café Ueno Station Tokyo Store” will sell a series of goods called “BABY PANDA ITEMS” from the 14^th of October (Sat.) in commemoration of the birth of the giant panda’s female baby “Shan Shan” which was born in Ueno Zoo on the 12^th of June 2017.

Hard Rock Café is a restaurant where you can enjoy hearty American home dishes while listening to music. The interior of the restaurant is like a museum which has many costumes of famous musicians and guitars on the wall. The “Rock Shop” beside the restaurant sells popular original goods with the logo mark of the restaurant and the name of the city where branch restaurants are located.

The “BABY PANDA ITEMS” include ten kinds of original pins and two kinds of t-shirts. Two kinds of pins will be sold as the first stage. Goods in the“BABY PANDA ITEMS” series will be released subsequently after November.

Moreover, you can receive a 10% discount if you show the staff your entrance ticket to “Ueno Zoo.” Information about discounts can be checked out on the official website of Hard Rock Café.

Why not get your very own “BABY PANDA ITEMS!” New items will continue to be released.