Lions, Deer and Flying Orangutans, Oh My!

How to be a Native - Step Three

Roam among the animals.

   Looking for an awesome zoo to visit?  Then skip that too crowded, well-known Ueno Zoo (上野動物園) and visit Tama Zoo (多摩動物公園) in Hino City (日野市).  It’s bigger and far more interactive.  It has large, open spaced habitats, allowing for a more natural setting for the animals.  Plus it gives visitors an almost safari type experience.  There are even guided tours. 

I'm cute.  Come see me!

   The zoo is divided into four sections: 

   The first and largest section is the Asiatic Zone, which features animals native to Japan and other parts of Asia.  Here visitors can watch elephants bathe and peacocks roaming along the paths. 

They have their own personal shower.

   There is even an orangutan skywalk, which allows them to climb across from the orangutan forest to their main habitat.     

Here is a video by sunpo2012.

Me enjoying the view of the lions.

   The African Zone is by far my favorite.  It has the largest, most open areas and the Lion Bus.  Visitors can ride a bus through the lion habitat and get up close and personal. 

Someone is hungry!

   I loved it because it made me feel like I was walking among the lions.  During some feeding times, they will hang meat from the bus and you can watch them tear it off.  A little bit terrifying but definitely exciting!  

A butterfly in the hand is worth a great
picture.

   If you want to see the most beautiful part of the zoo then go to the Insectarium.  This is a large greenhouse type of building, which lets in sunlight, allowing visitors to take in the multitude of flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies. 

   The butterflies are very friendly, always giving people an up close view of their beauty.  The sight of thousands of butterflies among so much greenery makes this a “take your breath away” place.

     

The Insectarium in all its glory.

   The Australian Zone unfortunately doesn’t have that much to see.  There are plenty of kangaroos, but the koalas are kept in a building in unlit viewing areas. Visitors are separated from them by a window, which means you have to fight for a good spot to see them. 

This is the best picture I could get.
They're very shy.

   Here is a map of the zoo (top) and one of travel directions (bottom).

Map from Tama Zoo website.

Map from Tama Zoo website.  I've added English translations to certain locations.