※This article was published at February 2015.※
Australia has the Emu (and the Kangaroo and the Koala) and the United States has the Eagle… but what’s Japan’s national animal?
The truth is no national animal comes to mind.However, there is one that is very, very popular in zoos.
The Panda!
If you’re in Tokyo you can go to Ueno Zoo, or if you prefer the path less travelled you can try visiting Adventure World in Wakayama.
However, if you just want to add a bit of animal to your otherwise regular tourism, Kobe’s Oji Zoo is the best place to go.
As you wander through the gates, you’ll be greeted (cheerfully) by flamingos.
Other residents include tigers, lions, leopards, sea lions, polar bears and a variety of birds.
Once you have climbed the hill about mid-way, you will come across the panda enclosure!
Panda’s are a delicate creature – sometimes, they wander outside; at other times, they confine themselves to indoor comfort.
If you’re lucky, you should be able to see them outside enjoying their meals.
However, even if you’re not so lucky, you can still head into the Panda building and see them through the glass windows.
The best thing is that there seldom are queues to see the black and white animal!
To get to the Oji zoo, it is a short three minute walk from “Oji-koen station” on the Hankyu Kobe Line.
The fee is 600 yen for adults.
Opening hours are: 9am-5pm (March-October), 9am-4:30pm (November-February).
The zoo is closed on Wednesdays and Dec 29-Jan 1.
Website: http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/spot/15_ojizoo.html
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