Tennoji Zoo Tickets

Tennoji Zoo has been part of Osaka life since 1915, which makes it one of the oldest zoos in Japan, and it occupies a genuinely surprising position: a full city zoo minutes from the towers of Tennoji and the neon of Shinsekai. For travellers, its blend of history, affordability and location makes it an easy addition to a southern Osaka day.

Around the zoo

The collection spans big drawcards like lions, hippos and elephants alongside a strong bird collection, with newer habitat style enclosures gradually replacing the older cages as the zoo modernises. The African savanna area, viewed across open water and grass with the city skyline behind, is the signature scene. It is a comfortable half day at an unhurried pace, and weekday visits are pleasantly quiet outside school excursion season.

The neighbourhood

Few zoos anywhere have surroundings like this. Tennoji Park and its gardens adjoin the gates, Tsutenkaku tower and the kushikatsu restaurants of Shinsekai are a short stroll away, and Abeno Harukas rises directly over the park. Zoo in the morning, skewers for lunch, tower views in the afternoon makes a very satisfying Osaka sequence.

Getting there

Tennoji Station, served by the JR Loop Line, Midosuji and Tanimachi subway lines, is about ten minutes on foot from the entrances through Tennoji Park. From Namba it is two stops on the Midosuji Line. The Shinsekai side entrance suits those coming from Ebisucho or Dobutsuen-mae stations, the latter literally named for the zoo.

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