Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (東山動植物園, Higashiyama Dōshokubutsuen) is a joint zoo and botanical garden located at Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan. It is open every day except Monday, and charges a modest admission fee.

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (東山動植物園, Higashiyama Dōshokubutsuen)
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Map
Date opened1937 (1937)
LocationChikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
No. of species450+
Botanical Gardens

Established in 1937, the Higashiyama Zoo is one of Asia's largest attractions, featuring a botanical garden and an amusement park. The logo for the koala exhibit was designed by manga artist Akira Toriyama in 1984.[1] It keeps more than 450 species which is the largest number in Japan.

The botanical gardens feature wild flora, as well as a greenhouse, insect hall, and a Japanese garden. The Higashiyama Sky Tower allows visitors a view of Nagoya from its observation decks, and also features a restaurant 100 metres above ground.

Higashiyama Sky Tower

As of 2010, Higashiyama Zoo had the 2nd most annual park visits of any zoo in Japan, behind only the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

Animals

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The zoo's collection consists of 469 species.[2]

  • Koala House: The zoo has housed and successfully bred koalas due to its sister city relationship with Sydney.
 
Koalas at Higashiyama Zoo
  • Bird Hall: A walk-through aviary. Outside of the building is an enclosure for ostriches.
  • Vivarium and Nocturnal House: Nocturnal animals are housed in the building's first floor while the zoo's amphibian and reptile collection are kept on the second floor. On the promenade connecting both floors is a habitat for Nile crocodiles.
  • Medaka World: An exhibition facility keeping native freshwater fish like the medaka.

Shabani

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One of the zoo's silverback gorillas, Shabani received significant social media coverage in 2015, being termed as "handsome" and "metrosexual" by news media, leading to an increase in young female visitors to the zoo.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "[鳥山明ほぼ全仕事] 平日更新24時間限定公開!". Dragon Ball Official Site (in Japanese). Shueisha. April 19, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018.
  2. ^ "Zoo Highlights | Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens" (in Japanese). Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Shabani: The making of a metrosexual gorilla - BBC News". BBC News. 26 June 2015.

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