Hirakawa Zoological Park

City: Kagoshima
Country: Japan
Region Kyushu
Opened 1916

Species 139

There are literally hundreds of different types of animals to see at the zoo, including elephants, seals, polar bears, orang-utans, eagles, and giant tortoises. A large aviary allows you to get close to wandering flamingos and other ground-dwelling birds, while further on there is a petting zoo for the children. However, the zoo’s main claim to fame is the , featuring kangaroos, emus, and the zoo’s pride and joy, a group of koalas. The city has eucalypt parks dotted around the prefecture just to grow enough leaves to feed the animals. Around half of the animal enclosures have been designed to mimic natural habitats. The highlight of these enclosures is perhaps the African Savannah display, populated with elegant giraffes, zebra and the aforementioned Rhinoceroses. In the background, one could perhaps be forgiven for seeing Sakurajima as Kilimanjaro. The two rhinos (Shino and Chousuke for those in the know) spend weekends roaming the , while weekdays are spent in a private enclosure. Here you can get up close and personalwith the beautiful animals, and if you’re lucky they might come close enough for you to almost touch.