Kobe Oji Zoo

Kōbe Ōji Zoo, or simply Kobe Zoo or Ōji Zoo, is a municipal zoo in Kobe, Japan.

Attractions

Panda House – The zoo has kept giant pandas in its collection since 2000.
Zoological Science Center – An indoor educational center featuring skeletal specimens and a reading room.
Big Cats Circle – This area houses tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, and jaguars.
Polar Bear House – This area houses polar bears, and has aboveground and underwater viewing areas.
Animals' Land & Children's Zoo – This area houses farm animals, small domestic animals, and some exotic animals, such as red pandas, otters and koalas.
A small amusement park – Rides and games for children, including a Ferris wheel and chair swing ride.
The E.H. Hunter House – The former residence of the founder of Osaka Iron Works, Edward Hazlett Hunter. An elaborate example of a 19th century, it is located at the northeast corner the zoo. The interior – with roped-off period furniture – is only open a few months each year. It was designated an Important [Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Property] by both the prefecture and the nation.

Other animals in the zoo's collection include giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, ostriches, flamingos, hippos, some species of ape, crocodiles, bobcats, sea lions, snowy owls and elephants.

Surrounding

Technically, the zoo is situated within Ōji Park, but the zoo is enclosed and has admission fees. Surrounding the zoo are the various parts of a sports complex. To the zoo's northwest is the Ōji Sports Center. To the northeast are some tennis courts; to the east is Ōji Stadium; to the southwest is the Kobe [City Museum of Literature|Museum of Literature].