Izu Shaboten Zoo

Overview

Izu Shaboten Zoo, opened in 1959, is a theme park centered around cacti and animals. The park showcases over 1,500 species of cacti and succulents collected from around the globe. You'll be amazed by the diversity, from enormous cacti to uniquely shaped succulents. The greenhouses are divided into five sections – South America, Africa, Madagascar, Mexico, and Forest Cacti – each showcasing the distinctive flora of its region. The zoo also houses over 140 species of animals, including capybaras, monkeys, kangaroos, llamas, and ring-tailed lemurs, all living in spacious enclosures. A particular highlight is the capybara open-air bath; in winter, hot spring water is channeled in, offering a heartwarming sight of capybaras enjoying a soak. This is a truly unique experience at Izu Shaboten Zoo. Additionally, the park offers many animal interaction attractions, such as the animal boat tour and Monkey Island. The animal boat tour takes you to Monkey Island, where you can observe monkeys up close. On Monkey Island, you can observe monkeys freely roaming and closely study their behavior.