Finding weekend adventure may be more difficult with the fall season and cold weather quickly approaching.
However, the Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park invites guests to discover an array of exotic wildlife year-round.
The zoo is home to more than 1,700 animals, including lions, tigers, exotic birds, elephants and penguins.
The park, established in 1971, features a very child-friendly petting zoo with farm animals like goats, pigs and sheep. Pony rides are also available for children in the petting zoo, called Pichiku Park.
Along the zoo’s wooded trails, visitors will find a popular area inhabited by a small pride of lions. The lions play and socialize like any normal house cat, but aggressive grimaces and roars quickly reestablish the beasts as the kings of the jungle.
The zoo has areas for picnics, a cafe, restrooms, a zoological museum and playgrounds. The park is open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. every day, except Thursdays.
Admission to the zoo ends at 4 p.m. daily. Admission is 500 yen per adult, and 170 yen for children. Moreover, admission for children is free on Saturdays, except for national holidays and special observances.
Parking costs 440 yen per car, and directions to the zoo by car or public transportation can be found at Information and Referral in Crossroads Mall here.
Public transportation to the zoo costs approximately 1,210 yen per person, one-way from Iwakuni’s local train station.
However, a trip to Asa Zoo takes roughly two hours. The Japanese scenery and an iPod or book make the trip enjoyable.
So, bundle up, grab a buddy and take a trip to Hiroshima’s very own African savanna.