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Tennōji Zoo

is a 11-hectare (27-acre) zoo located at Tennōji Park in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan, opened on January 1, 1915. It is the third zoo to be built in Japan and is located southwest of the Shitennō-ji temple, the first Buddhist temple in Japan.

History

In the late 1920s, Tennōji Zoo acquired a chimapanzee, Torō, who died of pneumonia after only a month at the zoo. In response, they sent animal collector Isamu Kagawa to Africa to get a replacement, called Rita. Rita and her mate, Lloyd, became very popular at the zoo and across Japan.

Attractions and Animals

African Savanna Zone

African Savanna

The habitat features expansive habitats for African animals. These habitats are arranged so that predators like lions and hyenas appear to be sharing the same space with their prey.

IFAR Reptile House
Other animals

Asian Tropical Rainforest Zone and Friendship Garden

Asian Tropical Rainforest Zone

Themed after a Southeast Asian rainforest, this zone formerly housed Asian elephants, the last of which, a female named Hiroko died in 2018. The Tennōji Zoo expanded Asian elephant habitat, and introduced three elephants from Malaysia

Friendship Garden

Established in April 2022, visitors are allowed to interact with domestic animals.

Nocturnal House

The zoo is the only zoo in Japan to house kiwis. In 2024, concerns were raised over the suitability of the kiwi enclosure.

Southern Hemisphere House
Chimpanzee Base

Opened in spring 2025

Monkey and Baboon House

World of Birds and Surrounding Area

Crane House
World of Birds

Opened on November 21, 2023.

Other

Aviary Zone and Surrounding Area

Flight Aviary

Home to free-flying waterbirds, the aviary has springs, dams, streams and forest, recreating a natural environment.

Penguin Park & Sea Lion Wharf

Opened on April 26, 2023.

Bear House

References

Access

External links