Izu Shaboten Zoo Tickets

Izu Shaboten Zoo is the park that made capybaras soaking in hot springs a Japanese winter tradition, and the internet has never recovered. Spread over the slopes below Mt. Omuro on the Izu Peninsula, it mixes a huge cactus collection, free roaming animals and close encounters that would be unthinkable at a conventional city zoo.

Capybaras, cacti and company

The famous capybara bath runs in the colder months, when the world’s largest rodents wallow blissfully in steaming yuzu strewn water while cameras click. Year round, squirrel monkeys, peacocks and waterfowl wander the grounds freely, animal shows run through the day, and a boat ride crosses the park’s ponds past monkey islands. The shaboten of the name means cactus, honoured in greenhouse gardens holding thousands of varieties, and yes, the gift shop sells cactus flavoured everything.

Around Mt. Omuro

The zoo sits at the foot of Mt. Omuro, the perfectly bowl shaped extinct volcano whose rim you can circle after a short chairlift ride, with Fuji and the sea in view on clear days. Together they anchor the Izu Kogen area, one of the most pleasant corners of the peninsula, and combine into a satisfying day trip from Tokyo with an onsen stop to finish.

Getting there

Ride the JR Odoriko limited express or local trains to Ito on the Izu Peninsula, continue on the Izukyu Line to Izu-Kogen Station, then take a short bus toward Mt. Omuro which stops at the zoo. Allow around two and a half to three hours from Tokyo each way.

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