Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a zoo and botanical garden run by the city of Nagoya in Chikusa Ward. The zoo moved to its present site on 24 March 1937, after 19 years in Tsuruma Park. Its roots go back further, to a small educational zoo that Imaizumi Shichigoro opened to the public in 1890.

The zoo

About 450 animal species live in the zoo, from Asian elephants down to medaka, tiny Japanese rice fish. According to the zoo, no other zoo in Japan keeps as many species. Koalas, giraffes, lions, snow leopards and western lowland gorillas are among them.

The botanical garden

The botanical garden holds about 7,000 plant species, laid out across hilly ground and natural woodland with walking courses through it. Its greenhouse is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. A gassho-zukuri farmhouse, moved here from Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, also stands in the garden. The camellia garden's collection of Chubu camellia cultivars is recognised as a National Collection.

Higashiyama Sky Tower

Higashiyama Sky Tower stands next to the gardens. It is 134 metres tall, with a 360-degree observation room 100 metres above the ground and an Italian restaurant on the top floor.