Guide
Tobu Zoo & Amusement Park is a vast, hybrid leisure facility spanning Miyashiro Town and Shiraoka City in Saitama Prefecture. Since its opening in 1981, it has been known as a "Hybrid Leisure Land," offering both intimate animal encounters and thrilling amusement park rides. The 54-hectare grounds are home to 1,200 animals across 120 species, including the iconic white tiger, with exhibits designed to harmonize with the natural landscape. The amusement park area features over 30 attractions ranging from family-friendly rides to high-intensity thrill rides, and a massive water park is available during the summer months.
The facility was conceived as a centerpiece project for the 80th anniversary of Tobu Railway. At its inception, the zoo established its unique identity by appointing Toshio Nishiyama—known as the "Hippo Uncle" from the famous Ueno Zoo—as its director. The park has long functioned as a major regional event hub, even having its own theme song, "The Song of Tobu Zoo," which has even been arranged as a departure melody for local trains. The landscape is deeply connected to local nature, featuring ponds derived from the former Kasahara Swamp and the nearby Himiya Ochikawa stream.
The park is divided into three main areas: the Amusement Park, the Zoo, and the Pool/Equestrian Club area. In the zoo, you can observe the symbolic white tigers or watch herbivorous animals like capybaras and small monkeys behaving naturally in their habitats. The amusement park offers diverse rides, including the "VR HEAD ROCK" experience and water-based wooden coasters. For a closer connection to nature, the "Animal Interaction Events" allow visitors to touch and interact with rabbits, guinea pigs, and chicks. Additionally, a rare "Rhino Touch" event is held every Saturday, offering a unique opportunity to experience a rhinoceros up close.
Experiences change beautifully with the seasons. From spring to autumn, the park is perfect for enjoying the active movement of the animals and the lush greenery. During the summer, the "Tobu Super Pool" opens, making it a premier destination for beating the heat. Because the park features many scenic ponds, the landscape is particularly beautiful in the warmer months. For the best experience, we recommend visiting the zoo during the cooler morning hours and moving to the amusement park or pool in the afternoon. Please note that certain seasonal activities, such as crayfish fishing, have limited schedules and should be checked in advance.
Beyond simple sightseeing, the park offers many hands-on activities. You can enjoy feeding the animals or participating in touch-and-feel sessions with rabbits, guinea pigs, and chicks. There are also specialized experiences like the