Oji Zoo is Kobe’s much-loved city zoo, a compact and refreshingly inexpensive place set in parkland between Nada and Sannomiya. Its collection covers the usual favourites — elephants, big cats, giraffes and a well-known group of koalas — alongside a small old-fashioned amusement corner with rides for younger children and a preserved Meiji-era Western residence in the grounds. In spring the zoo’s cherry trees make it one of the best hanami spots in central Kobe, when families picnic under the blossoms between animal enclosures.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Nada Ward, Kobe |
| Hours | ~9:00–17:00, closed Wednesdays |
| Admission | ~¥600 |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Spring for cherry blossoms |
What to See
- Koalas, elephants, big cats and giraffes.
- A small old-fashioned amusement corner for young children.
- Cherry blossoms making it a top spring hanami spot.
- A preserved Meiji-era Western residence in the grounds.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art nearby.
- Pair with the Nada sake breweries in the same ward.
- Read our Hyogo overview .
Getting There
- By train: Hankyu Oji-koen Station is right by the gate; JR Nada is a short walk.
- Closed Wednesdays: plan around the weekly closure.
Tips
It’s remarkably cheap for a city zoo, making it easy to justify even a short visit with children, and the compact layout means you can see most of it in a couple of hours. Come in cherry-blossom season if you can — the combination of animals and hanami is a Kobe family tradition — and note the Wednesday closure when planning.
