Read: Keio Plaza Hotel Tama
There is no pool or play area in the hotel and we cannot watch TV because most of the shows are in Japanese language and if there is an English show, malakas pa yung volume nung nag-interpret to Japanese kaysa sa pinanonood. Lol
I searched for places to visit near Tama area so I was really glad when I’ve read about Tama Zoological Park. My son likes visiting zoos, if you’ve been following this blog for quite some time now, you know that we’ve already visited 7 zoos in the Philippines.
Read: Trip to the Zoo
I immediately added the zoo in our itinerary and put it on Day 3 which is Tuesday, that is the only time that we can visit the zoo because it is closed every Wednesday.
My roaming was not working properly, it is so weird that I can receive calls and texts but I cannot text or call so my husband activated my Globe Roaming Surf for P599 for 24 hours so just in case we’re lost we can inform him.
On the day of our trip, I still have no idea where is the Tama Monorail Station, the train station is different from the Tama Center Station. My husband, asked me if alam ko na ba pupuntahan ko, I said, oo, ako na ang bahala. Lol. But the truth is I was still searching, according to the app, it is just 5 minutes walk from the hotel so for sure sa tabi-tabi lang yan.
So even though I was nervous about commuting without hubby, I had to be brave for my son. My son and I walked to the Tama Center Station and when I saw some people turn left before we reached the Odakyu Tama Center Station, we turned left too and I was glad when I saw a sign with the arrow “Tama Monorail”. Yey, we found it.
I bought train tickets to Tama-Dobutsukoen (Adult 260 yen and Kid 130yen), what nice about the Tama Monorail, it is like our very own LRT and MRT, two way lang siya so hindi na nakakaligaw kung san kami pupunta.
Tama-Dobutsukoen is the fourth station from Tama Center and travel time is around 16 minutes. You can already see the Tama Zoological Park and Keio Rail-Land from the train station. It is just walking distance from the train so you won’t be lost. (1 minute walk)
Tama Zoological Park
You need to buy your ticket in the ticket vending machine. We were standing there for so long because I was trying to figure out how I could buy the ticket. One lady Zoo Staff rescued me and helped me in using the ticket vending machine.
I just told her that I needed two tickets, 1 adult and 1 child (7 years old). She was speaking in Japanese and I was speaking in English. We were able to buy the ticket even though there is language barrier with the help of sign language. (as tinuturo niya lang kung ano pipindutin and if I need to insert the money). My son is still free of charge.
So we went inside, and the staff checked my ticket. Before going to Tokyo, Japan, I printed the map that I saw on their website but don't worry there is an available map there too. I was happy that there was an English version of it. The map was updated too because you can see the attractions that are under construction.
Side story: I saw lot of kids who were having educational trips I noticed that there was no chaperone, as in teachers and kids only. Wow, the kids are so independent here in Japan, I remember when my son was still in Preschool, we always accompanied him on all the field trips and when he was in grade school, he did not join the field trip because a chaperone was not allowed. (field trip fee are included in the tuition)
I was worried at first because I thought that the place would be crowded because of the field trip but the zoo was so huge. Even if there was an educational trip, you won’t feel that the place was packed. It is divided into four zones such as Asian Zone, Australian Zone, African Zone, and Insectarium.
Asian Zone
We started our tour in Asian Zone, which is the biggest part of the zoo so we took advantage of the free shuttle bus so we won’t get tired of walking. We have all the time in the world so we really took our time at each attraction. lol
Bus Route and Stop: Siberian White Crane, Rhinoceros, Orangutan, Animal Memorial Tower, Asian Plains.
There are times that we followed those kids, nakikifield trip din kami. Hehehe!
We’re glad that there is a free shuttle bus or else, gugulong ko sa pagod maglakad. hehehe! My son was carefully checking the map if we missed something. It seems that we will not go out unless we finish his list.
Australian Zone
This is just a small zone where you can see the emu, kangaroo, wallaby, wallaroo, koala and laughing kookaburra.
Insectarium
My son enjoyed the Insectarium Zone, there are so many little creatures to see.
Butterfly Sanctuary
Ethan: Mommy look, the butterfly will land on my finger.
After 48 years, walang nagland. hehehe!
Check the video to see how big the sanctuary is. Click here for the video
African Zone
Our last stop is African Zone, most of the attractions here were under construction and I was so disappointed because there is no Lion Bus Tour, under construction din. We were looking forward to it pa naman because we experienced Tiger Safari and Lion Safari in Zoobic Safari before.
Read: Zoobic Safari
Revisited Zoobic Safari
What is nice about their zoo is there are so many picnic areas so if you are tired, you can just stay there, eat, drink, or rest for a while. We brought some drinks and snacks but there are vending machines, kiosks, and shops everywhere.
The zoo was well-maintained, and the animals looked happy and satisfied. Since it is a zoo, I was expecting a foul smell but wala, hindi kami nag-amoy hayop. Lol. Ang layo sa zoo natin sa Pinas. I only spent less than P300 for the entrance fee and it was super worth it.
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| Nakisabay kami sa pagtawid. :) |
The next stop in Keio Rail-Land, which is just across the Tama Zoological Park.
Read: Keio Rail-Land Museum
Hours and Days Open
Tama Zoo opens 9:30am. to 5:00pm (tickets sold until 4:00pm) and closes every Wednesday (closes Thursday if Wednesday is a public holiday).
*The zoo closes from December 29 through January 1.
Admission Fee
Adults (16-64) 600 yen
Seniors (65+) 300 yen
Students (13-15) 200 yen
Children (0-12) Free
Tama Zoological Park
Tama Zoo, 7-1-1, Hodokubo, Hino-shi,
Tokyo 191-0042, Japan
Phone: 042-591-1611
Read: Keio Rail-Land Museum
Hours and Days Open
Tama Zoo opens 9:30am. to 5:00pm (tickets sold until 4:00pm) and closes every Wednesday (closes Thursday if Wednesday is a public holiday).
*The zoo closes from December 29 through January 1.
Admission Fee
Adults (16-64) 600 yen
Seniors (65+) 300 yen
Students (13-15) 200 yen
Children (0-12) Free
Tama Zoological Park
Tama Zoo, 7-1-1, Hodokubo, Hino-shi,
Tokyo 191-0042, Japan
Phone: 042-591-1611
Ngayon lang nakapagbasa... I hope hubby will be patient enough to go places with baby. Medyo makulit na kasi at nakakapagod humabol habol
ReplyDeleteVisit Keio Rail-Land just across the Tama Zoo, may play area for toddlers dun. 250 yen entrance fee lang. :)
DeleteI don't think I would dare go somewhere without my husband in a foreign land, haha. Kahit 5 minutes away pa yan. But what a nice zoo ha! I think the biggest I've gone to is the Avalon here where I got really tired walking after the zoo guide.
ReplyDeleteActually, first time ko kasi takot din ako pero I just think na mas safe sa Japan kaysa sa atin. :) Avilon Zoo is big, napagod din kami sa 2 hours na ikot. hehehe!
DeleteLooks like a great trip. =) I salute your bravery. haha..ang hirap mag-biyahe sa ibang lugar without the husband. The kids having field trips were really cute. I remember when I was in KG, we also didn't have chaperones during our trips. I think it's just lately that schools are just really careful that they ask for chaperones. Times have changed. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks! True, di naman uso chaperone dati. Nakakaparanoid na kasi ngayon sa dami ng crime.
DeleteWow!That was a really huge zoo ha! Looks like your son really did enjoy. :) And ang cute ng kiddies on their fieldtrip! Super behave ;)
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly sanctuary is so huge. Parang isang buong zoo na! Mukhang nkakapagod but i'm sure your son had a great time!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is huge even the bird sanctuary is big. :)
DeleteI agree, kids in Japan are super independent. Tsaka parang ang ganda din kasi ng school nila dun, school is like a place you can fully trust your kids. Sana maging ganyan din sa pinas. Grabe super ganda ng zoo nila.
ReplyDeleteTrue, hindi ka mapaparanoid na may biglang kumuha sa anak mo.
DeleteTapang! I wouldnt dare travel alone in a foreign land. Would prefer to have husband by my side as he is so great with direction. Even if he often tease me for my makakalimutin at pamali maling direction, i would still prefer to be with him. Ihihi. The zoo is so big! kaka excite sa australian anf African zone.
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice if you have buddy that has sense of direction, mahirap talaga mawala in foreign land. :)
DeleteThose toddlers are so cute! :) A trip to the zoo is always fun for young learners. :) My kids enjoyed our trip to a local zoo also years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! I have to admit at first I thought only the zoo would be named Tama.. so the whole place is called Tama, tama ba? (yes pun intended hihi)
ReplyDeleteYes, Tama is a name of city. They named the zoo Tama Zoological Park but the truth is, the zoo is not situated in Tama. hehehe!
DeleteThis reminds me of the time when we joined hubby in his business trip in HK. I had to also look for places to go to keep my son entertained. I also had to brave the streets with a child in tow.
ReplyDeleteKids certainly love zoos and seeing animals! This one looks like a very nice and spacious one with plenty of animals to see. :)
Good thing HK has so many places for kids and trains are very accessible.
DeleteI'm sure my kids would love to go visit the place too. That's good that there's no foul smell. I also like that there's a shuttle bus for free. You're so brave going out without your hubby.
ReplyDeleteYes, I really appreciated the free shuttle bus. :)
DeleteSo worth a trip here! My son would love to visit this zoo. It's a real zoo with a wide expanse of land. Not like some of the zoos here.
ReplyDeleteTrue and the fee is cheaper. :)
DeleteLove the bit about the independent kids on a field trip! Congrats on being adventurous enough to explore without the husband! I probably would've chickened out. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI wish we can do that here in the Philippines too, if only the place is safe and secure. Thanks! I'm scared at first but thank God we survived. :)
DeleteWow never heard this Tama Zoo during my stay in Japan last 2009. Sayang napuntahan ko sana. And I agree, those preschool are soooo cute!
ReplyDeleteThe popular zoo in Tokyo is Ueno Zoo but Tama Zoo is much better because of less crowd. :)
Deletekakatuwa naman son he really wants to finish everything in the map,congrats you were able to commute and explore the zoo with out hubby.
ReplyDeleteWow, my kids will love it there! I only wish the zoos here are as nice as that one. The ones we've been to here are not really that great.
ReplyDeleteThe zoo animals there in japan looks well taken cared of compared to the animals in ours. Great shot of the toddlers..super cute!!!
ReplyDelete