Kobe Oji Zoo is one of the best place for families in spring. There are cherry trees everywhere, including children's playground, animal cages, and of course all sitting areas. 

The zoo features 130 kinds of animals and it is the only zoo in Japan where you can see giant pandas and koala in one place. It is one of the popular park, attracting 1.2 million visitors every year. 

The Former Hunter residence in the zoo is one of the biggest and most beautiful Western-style buildings constructed during the middle of Meiji Era (1868~1912). It was removed twice and finally reconstructed in this site in 1964 for permanent preservation. It is FREE to visit! You may see some antique furnitures, marble fire place, chandeliers in the living room, dining room, study room and  to feel the luxury living in the old days. The elegant diamond-shaped latticework windows are the key feature added to this historic building, making it an impressive sample of Western Residence in Kobe.

Kobe Oji Zoo
Address: 3 Chome-1 Oji-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo-ken
Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (March to October), 09:00 - 16:30 (November to February)
Access: 3 minute walk from Hankyu "Oji Koen" station west exit, or 5 minute walk from JR "Nada" station north exit
Website: www.kobe-ojizoo.jp