Japan Day 3: Tama Zoological Park

Since Keio Plaza Hotel Tama is far from the usual tourist destination in Tokyo, I have to search and search so my son and I won’t be bored. It is not practical if we will just stay in the hotel because we did not go to Japan just to have a staycation.  

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 call and text but I cannot text or call so my husband activate 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 I was nervous to commute without hubby, I have to be brave for my son. My son and I walk to the Tama Center Station and when I saw that some people turn left before we reach the Odakyu Tama Center Station, we turn left too and I was glad when I saw a sign with 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’m trying to figure out how I can buy the ticket. One lady Zoo Staff rescued me and helped me in using the ticket vending machine.

I just told her that I need 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 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, the staff checked my ticket. Before going to Tokyo, Japan, I printed the map that I’ve seen in their website but don't worry there is available map there too. I was happy that there is 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 is 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 accompany him in all the field trips and when he was in grade school, he did not join the field trip because chaperone was not allowed. (field trip fee are included in the tuition)

I saw these cute toddlers while riding the shuttle bus. They so behave. 

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 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, this 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 finished 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. 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 for it pa naman because we experienced Tiger Safari and Lion Safari in Zoobic Safari before.

Read: Zoobic Safari
          Revisited Zoobic Safari

What 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.

Buti na lang may spoon ako dala, walang scoop na kasama yung ice cream in cup. 

The zoo was well maintained, the animals look 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. 

Nakisabay kami sa pagtawid. :)

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