The very nice Tennoji Zoo is in a great location and set in an 11-hectare park between the popular Shinsekai district, Shitennoji Buddhist Temple and the Harukas 300 skyscraper.

What will you see at the zoo?

Osaka Zoo is the third oldest zoo in Japan and is rather one of the smaller ones in global comparison.

But that doesn't detract from its appeal. Its central location makes Tennoji Zoo the ideal place for a quieter part of the day between sightseeing and exploring Osaka's bustling districts.

A visit to the zoo will take 1-2 hours.

The main attraction of the zoo is the section called "African Savannah" with giraffes, zebras, lions and elephants.

There is also a section dedicated to animals from Japan, tropical rainforests and the local bird aviaries are also popular.

Entrance fees and opening hours

The zoo is open daily from 9:30-17:00, and until 18:00 on weekends and public holidays. Last admission is possible 1 hour before closing time.

Ticket prices are as follows:

500 jpy - basic admission for adults
200 jpy - basic admission for children
450 jpy - admission with a full-day metro ticket
Free - admission with Osaka Amazing Pass

Official website: tennojizoo.jp

How to get there

The main entrance to the zoo is located on the southwestern edge of the zoo near the Shinsekai district.

Metro

Dobutsuen-mae (approx. 300 meters)
- Red Midosuji Line - direction Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Osaka-Umeda Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Umeda Sky Building, Harukas 300 (Tennoji Station), Nagai Botanical Garden
- Brown Sakaisuji Line - direction Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Kitahama Station

Railways

Shin-Imaniya (approx. 550 metres)
- Nankai Electric Railway (JR Pass not valid, Kansai Railway Pass valid) direction Kansai Airport, Wakyama, Koyasan
- JR (JR Pass applies, Kansai Railway Pass does not apply) direction Kansai Airport, Osaka-Umeda Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Nara, Wakayama, Shirahama

Tram and buses

The Hankai tram line (Ebisucho stop) runs along the western edge of the Shinsekai district, which you can use to get to places like Sumiyoshi-Tasha Temple.

Bus lines 48 (towards Suminoeken) and 52 (towards Namba - but the metro is much faster) also run along the southern edge of the district.