Best Zoo in Kansai

[etto_neh]

Hi-

With the holiday coming up, I'm planning a day trip with the wife.

Any recommendations as to the best zoo in the Kansai area?

Maybe even an overnight stay isn't out of the question.

Thanks.

[GomiGirl]

Don't know of any zoo's other than the Yamanote zoo (5am Sat or Sun) when I am crawling home from some seedy bar district.

Sorry - not helpful for your questions though.

[FG Lurker]

If you have a car then I think the safari drive-through park in Himeji is supposed to be good. I have not yet been but it's on the list to get to eventually.

Otherwise I don't really know. The Osaka aquarium is good though!

[Big Booger]

Are you driving? If so I can recommend a decent "Japanese Safari" experience at the Himeji Central Park. (It's mainly a place for children but I saw several couples there as well). (damn FGL beat me to it!)

http://www.central-park.co.jp/

The animals roam around the park in huge areas while you drive through the park. Once you finish driving, you can then get out and walk down the mountain while looking at all the other animal enclosures.

They have a cable car that takes you back up the mountain to the parking area when you are ready to leave. My wife and I have been there three times and we enjoyed it.

There's an amusement park about 3 minutes from the "safari" as well if you are into thrill rides and games. (we went but only ate ramen at one of the restaurants)

And the mostly fresh water aquarium in Himeji is very good too and cheap.

http://www.city.himeji.hyogo.jp/aqua/

We had a good time there as well.

[Greji]

Himeiji

Hey, Boog is that the one where the Obaasan got out of the car (her family didn't even bother to stop her) to look around and the lions ate her?

Other than that it sounded like a good place. Just typical of the obaachans not to worry about anything.

[Big Booger]

Hey, Boog is that the one where the Obaasan got out of the car (her family didn't even bother to stop her) to look around and the lions ate her?

Other than that it sounded like a good place. Just typical of the obaachans not to worry about anything.

Actually I think something like that happened. I do know that one person rolled the window down and a lion or something dragged him out and killed him. (they have signs that forbid opening the doors or rolling down the windows.)

It's a neat experience but some of those animals look so bored. I told my wife they should let chickens run loose in with the big cats so they can hunt their prey. That or make it a true safari with all the animals mixed up together

[FG Lurker]

Actually I think something like that happened. I do know that one person rolled the window down and a lion or something dragged him out and killed him. (they have signs that forbid opening the doors or rolling down the windows.)

Hmm, interesting. When I go I plan to take a couple of long lenses with me (300mm and 500mm I guess) and get some good shots. Hopefully the lions realize I'm not lean enough to be tasty.

Where abouts are you in Hyogo BB?

[Big Booger]

Hmm, interesting. When I go I plan to take a couple of long lenses with me (300mm and 500mm I guess) and get some good shots. Hopefully the lions realize I'm not lean enough to be tasty.

Where abouts are you in Hyogo BB?

I live near Kakogawa. The land of sock factories LOL

[FG Lurker]

I live near Kakogawa. The land of sock factories LOL

Busy on the long weekend in October?

[etto_neh]

Thank you much, all. Sadly, we don't have a car, though that safari thing looks pretty fun so maybe we'll settle for that Himeji aquarium. I kinda liked the train ride there anyhoo.

We did the kayukan in Osaka last year. Pretty nice, 'cept for all the obaasans punting their grandkids around and between peoples legs in order for the little shits to get a better view.

[drpepper]

Well there is a 'zoo' n Osaka, the Tennoji zoo but it really blows... there is always USJ or just go to America Mura on a fri/sat night it could pass as a zoo as well...

[dimwit]

The Tobe Zoo outside of Matsuyama is good by Japanese standards -somewhat natural looking settings even if they are smaller than they ought to be, but it is a distance from Kansai. The rest of the zoos in Shikoku are good for making SPCA fundraising posters.

[Blah Pete]

It's a neat experience but some of those animals look so bored. I told my wife they should let chickens run loose in with the big cats so they can hunt their prey. That or make it a true safari with all the animals mixed up together

Forget the chickens. It seems they like the obaachans better.

Went to a safari park in S. California when i was a kid and an ostrich jumped up on the hood and releived himself. Was a real mess, but boy was he hung...