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Sarukuma Travel > Activities & Tips > Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Rainy Day Fun Guide (Kengun, Higashi Ward)

Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Rainy Day Fun Guide (Kengun, Higashi Ward)

Outing Spots

2020.07.29

📌 What you’ll learn in this article
A SaruKuma writer’s first-hand report on Kumamoto City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, located in Kengun, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City. Admission starts from ¥500. Includes family-friendly tips, access info, and opening hours.

Hello there! I’m Ayu-mama, a writer for “SaruKuma.”

Welcome to the third installment of our Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens series:
The Rainy Day Edition!

Summer in Kumamoto brings plenty of typhoons and sudden afternoon showers.
You finally made it to the zoo, and then… it starts pouring. Time to head home, right?
Not so fast!!!

Let me show you all the spots where you can have a blast even when it’s raining!

《Admission Fees》
Adults: ¥500
Elementary & Junior High Students: ¥100
Preschoolers: Free
(Free for Kumamoto City elementary and junior high students with name tag or student ID)
Parking: ¥200 per vehicle on weekends and holidays (free on weekdays)
Your rainy-day savior is the Indoor Exhibition Halls.
Since the animals are housed indoors, you can watch them comfortably without getting drenched.
First up, the Papua New Guinea Hall!
This building sits in the back of the park near Lake Ezu.
It’s home to nocturnal animals, porcupines, and various bird species.
Here’s one you absolutely have to see!
Meet the Western Crowned Pigeon (Muneaka Kanmuribato).
Believe it or not, Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens is the only place in Japan where you can see this magnificent bird!
Its delicate, lace-like crown is absolutely stunning!
A must-see during your visit!
Next up, the Reptile House.
Located right next to the Papua New Guinea Hall.
As the name suggests, this hall showcases reptiles like crocodiles and snakes.
(Since some folks aren’t fans of reptiles, I’ll spare you the photos here! lol)
There are turtles on display too.
Watching these laid-back turtles is so soothing!
Near the playground area, there’s also a large covered stage.
When the rain really comes down, you can take shelter here!

Top Recommendation

My top pick is the Animal Reference Hall (Dobutsu Shiryokan).
You’ll find it right next to the playground area.
A restaurant sits across from it.
The name “Animal Reference Hall” might make you think it’s full of dry academic documents, but it’s actually packed with live creatures!
Right as you walk in…
A massive aquarium reaching up to the ceiling greets you at the entrance!
It displays fish that live in nearby Lake Ezu.
Get this — the staff at the reference hall actually catch these fish themselves to put on display!
Toward the back, you’ll find panel exhibits showing the zoo’s recovery from the Kumamoto Earthquake,
plus a corner with stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles that kids absolutely love!
Here’s a fun fact: those stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles actually belong to the staff at the Animal Reference Hall!
They display their personal collection raised as a hobby. Pretty amazing, right?!
There are tons of other fish to discover…
an elephant skeleton specimen…
and even moles on display! There’s so much to see here!
The reference hall also has restrooms inside.
There are kid-sized toilets,
a multi-purpose restroom,
and a diaper-changing station — the works.
For families with little ones, the restrooms inside the reference hall are highly recommended.
There are also plenty of animals that don’t mind the rain at all!

Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens delivers a fantastic experience even on rainy days!

Check out our summary article here↓

[Updated December 16!] Zoo & Botanical Garden enthusiast Ayu-mama shares all the highlights ☆

Facility Information

Parking Yes Restrooms Yes
Vending Machines Yes Diaper Changing Station Yes
Hand-washing Area Yes Suitable Age 0 years and up
Children’s Playground Yes Play Equipment Allowed No
Shaded Areas Yes Change of Clothes Needed No
Water Play No Eating Inside Park Allowed
Hazardous Areas None Nursing Space Yes

Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens — Location Information

  • Address

    Kengun, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City

  • Parking

    Available

  • No

    Tatami Seating

  • No

    Private Rooms

  • No

    Children’s Tableware

  • No

    Children’s Chairs

  • No

    Diaper Changing Station

  • No

    Stroller Access

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a great family-friendly spot in Kengun, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City?

Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens is welcoming for families with kids and is one of the most popular attractions in Kengun, Higashi Ward. Read this article for full details.

What are the operating hours and closing days for Kumamoto City Zoo & Botanical Gardens?

Operating hours and closing days are subject to change. Please check the official website or call ahead before your visit.

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.

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Article Writer

Sarukuma Editorial is a small team of locals based in Kumamoto, Japan, sharing the hidden gems, hometown flavors, and seasonal experiences that make our region special. We write the kind of guide we wish we had when showing friends around — honest, practical, and made by people who actually live here.

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