Inokashira Park Zoo

One admission fee, two parks

Perri Silverstein Aug 05, 2013 - 1 min read

Guinea pigs are popular zoo animals in Japan.

Many toads are housed in the Aquatic Life House.

Enter the Squirrel Trail and watch Japanese squirrels race around your legs and jump through the trees.

The colorful Mini Amusement area features a number of rides for small children.

The Capybara is the largest rodent in the world.

The elusive Amur Cat is one of the most popular animals at Inokashira Park Zoo.

The Lakeside Park area is home to many different types of birds and suitable for avian enthusiasts.

The Patagonian Cavy is a close relative of the Capybara.

This Masked Palm Civet has such soft-looking paws that I want to touch.

Romantic bronze sculptures can be spotted around the park grounds.

Staying entertained on the cheap in Tokyo can be a trying task with the copious number of spectacular restaurants, shopping districts and museums to explore. It can be tough to stay on budget. Yet, with some research it’s entirely possible to find inexpensive or free activities. A ten-minute walk from Kichijoji Station will land you in Inokashira Park, a vast green space that is home to the Inokashira Park Zoo. For just 400 yen you’ll gain access to not one, but two parks: an aquarium/aviary and a traditional zoo, just a short jaunt from one another. I visited during a sweltering day so most of the animals were laying low and resting in the shade. This is a suitable destination for those with children as they can enjoy both the animals and the Mini Amusement Park inside the Main Park area.