Nagasaki Bio Park

Overview and Charm

Nagasaki Bio Park, located in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a zoo and botanical garden that focuses heavily on direct interaction with animals. Spanning a vast 300,000 square meters, the park is home to a diverse range of creatures, including mammals like capybaras, llamas, and hippos, as well as various insects and plants. The facility is designed with low fences and minimal barriers, allowing visitors to observe the natural behaviors of animals from a very close distance, creating an immersive experience.

History and Cultural Background

Opened in November 1980, the park was built under the theme of 'Harmony between Humans and Nature.' It holds a significant place in Japanese zoological history, having achieved Japan's first successful hand-rearing of a hippo in 1994. The story of the hippo named 'Momo' and the subsequent hand-rearing efforts is well-known among enthusiasts. The park's design emphasizes the coexistence of living beings following the laws of the natural world.

Main Highlights

The park is divided into 12 distinct zones, each showcasing different biological wonders:

• Totora Pond: Home to swans and manchurian cranes, featuring a special platform for monkeys.
• Flower Dome: A space recreating a South American tropical rainforest, filled with diverse orchids, fruit bats, and turtles.
• Live Dome: A two-story structure where you can observe Cape Harlick's and other species.
• Hippo Pond: The area dedicated to the hippos, famous for their hand-rearing history.
• Insect Museum: Displays a wide variety of beetles and stag beetles, including live specimens and collections from around the world.
• Capybara Pond: The dedicated habitat for the friendly capybaras.
• Kangaroo Hill & Squirrel Monkey Forest: An area where you can watch squirrel monkeys moving through the trees above you.

Best Times to Visit

The park is open year-round from 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:00). While you can enjoy the animals in any season, the park features wooded areas and natural terrain, so we highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.

Experiences and Activities

The defining feature of the park is the proximity to the animals. In many areas, you can participate in feeding activities (additional fees apply). You can feed capybaras, squirrel monkeys, llamas, and more. The facility also serves as an educational center where you can learn about the ecosystems of tropical plants and insects.

Surrounding Area

The park is surrounded by the beautiful, lush landscapes of Saikai City. If you are traveling by car, it is located approximately 20 minutes from the Saikai Bridge.

What to Bring and Etiquette

Because the park covers a large area with hills and natural terrain, sturdy walking shoes are essential. When feeding animals, please use only the designated food provided by the facility. Regarding payments, we recommend bringing cash, as many animal feeding experiences and certain facility uses require separate fees that may not accept cards.