Park & nature

Tennōji Zoo

3.4 · 776 reviews
Tennōji ZooPhoto via TripAdvisor (carolinedubois)
Check tickets & tours Official site

Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.

Tennōji Zoo, opened in 1915, is a classic city zoo set within Tennōji Park. It houses over 1,000 animals representing about 200 species, with notable residents including polar bears, koalas, and a popular hippopotamus. The zoo is designed with spacious enclosures and thematic zones, such as the African Savanna and the Asian Tropical Rainforest. A highlight is the walk-through koala house, where visitors can observe these marsupials up close. The zoo also offers a small petting area and a historic aviary, making it a family-friendly destination in central Osaka.

Don't miss

  • Watch the polar bears swim and play in their large, chilled pool enclosure.
  • Stroll through the koala house and see these sleepy animals munching on eucalyptus leaves.
  • Visit the historic five-storied pagoda within Tennōji Park, adjacent to the zoo.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Tennōji Zoo

You can explore Tennōji Zoo at your own pace. A tour is worth it mainly for transport, or for pairing it with nearby sights in one day.

Getting there

More attractions in Osaka

Planning your trip to Osaka? See where to eat, more attractions, or build a Osaka itinerary.