7 Reasons Izu Shaboten Zoo is a Must-Visit in Japan!
Meet bathing capybaras and feed cute animals at this Izu gem 🐾
Hello everyone~ It’s Hattie here 💛 If you are currently deep in the trenches of planning your Japan itinerary and feeling totally overwhelmed by the Tokyo crowds, I have the most magical, hidden-gem recommendation for you. Today, we are talking about a place that literally made me melt into a puddle of happiness, even in the middle of a sweltering Japanese summer: the iconic Izu Shaboten Zoo 🌵🐾
Okay, let me set the scene for you. This place is famous for being the original birthplace of the “capybara hot spring” Yes, you read that right. It is a literal paradise where you can get up close and personal with the internet’s favorite chill animal, the capybara.
If you have kids, this is an absolute non-negotiable must-add to your trip. But let’s be real, even if you’re traveling solo or with your partner and you’re just “meh” about animals, you have to go. To be completely honest, we only ended up here because it’s located directly across from Mt. Omuro (a super popular scenic spot), and the line for the Mt. Omuro chairlift was way too long. I figured we’d just kill some time at the zoo.
Well, joke’s on me, because the second I locked eyes with a real-life capybara, I was obsessed.🫠 I had seen the viral TikToks and Reels, but in person? Their slow-motion waddles and completely unbothered, zen energy will instantly win you over.
Grab your matcha lattes, because in this post, I am spilling all the details: how to get there from Tokyo, the four zones you absolutely cannot miss, the cutest souvenirs to bring back to home. Let’s get into it! ✨
Izu Shaboten Zoo: Essential Info & Ticket Hacks 🎫
When you’re traveling internationally, the last thing you want is to show up to a highly anticipated spot and waste your precious vacation time waiting in a massive line. Let’s get the logistics out of the way so you can start your day flawlessly!
Location: 1317-13 Futo, Ito, Shizuoka, Japan (Located on the beautiful Izu Peninsula, southwest of Tokyo).
Park Hours: Generally, the park is open from 09:30 AM to 5:00 PM. However, Japanese parks often shift their hours based on the season, sometimes closing around 4:00 PM in the winter. Pro tip: Always double-check their official website a few days before your visit so you don’t miss out on prime feeding times!
✨ Ticket Hack:
Listen to me: do not wait to buy your tickets at the gate!
Buying at the Gate: You’ll pay full price, and if you go during a weekend or a Japanese holiday (like Golden Week or Obon), the lines will test your patience.
Booking Online: While we usually default to apps like Viator or GetYourGuide back home, my biggest pro-tip for Japan travel is to book your e-tickets in advance through platforms like Rakuten Travel Experiences (or even directly on the zoo’s official English website). Not only can you often snag a slight discount, but it is the ultimate time-saver. You literally just stroll up to the entrance, scan the QR code on your phone, and you are in! Take all that time you saved and go buy some extra grass to feed the capybaras😆
👉 Click here to grab your e-tickets online and skip the line!
Transportation: How to Get to Izu From Tokyo? 🚃
I know navigating the Japanese rail system can give anyone anxiety, but getting to the Izu Peninsula is actually a breeze (and incredibly scenic!). Here is the foolproof guide for my fellow directionally challenged girlies.
Taking Public Transit:
From Tokyo Station / Shinagawa: Treat yourself and book a ticket on the limited express train called the “Odoriko” (or if you want to be super fancy, the luxury “Saphir Odoriko”). It takes you straight from Tokyo to Izu-Kogen Station in about 2 hours. Grab a bento box at Tokyo Station, sit back, and enjoy the stunning ocean views along the coast. It’s the perfect, relaxing start to your day trip🌊 (Note: If you have a JR Pass, the standard Odoriko is covered!)
The Local Bus: Once you hop off at Izu-Kogen Station, head out the exit to the bus terminal. Look for the Tokai Bus heading toward Izu Shaboten Zoo. The ride is only about 20 minutes and drops you right at the entrance. Buses run about every 30 to 60 minutes, so just map it out on Google Maps (which is super accurate in Japan).
Alternative Route: If you’re staying in the popular hot spring town of Atami, you can take a local train to Ito Station, and catch a 35-minute bus ride straight to the park from there!
Renting a Car in Japan
If you are brave enough to drive on the left side of the road, renting a car is an amazing way to explore the Izu coastline! The zoo has a massive parking lot right out front (about 500 JPY / roughly $3.50 USD for the day), so parking is super easy🚗
The 4 Must-See Highlights in the Park ✨
This park is surprisingly huge, but here are the four absolute non-negotiables you need to hit up.
The Original Capybara Hot Springs ♨️
We went during the peak of summer, so I honestly didn’t think we’d see the capybaras bathing (since it’s a hot spring!). But to my surprise, they were still lounging and chilling in their little tub areas! For a few yen, you can buy bundles of grass to feed them.
Let me tell you, I have finally found an animal that moves slower than I do on a Monday morning😆 They are incredibly lethargic, turning their heads in literal slow motion. I seriously question if these animals are physically capable of running.
You can gently pet them, and spoiler alert: their fur is super coarse and wiry, kind of like a coconut! They have the most peaceful, gentle dispositions. It is so refreshing to see an interactive animal exhibit where kids aren’t screaming in terror and animals aren’t aggressively chasing people for food. It is just pure, wholesome, serotonin-boosting vibes.💕
⚠️ Hattie’s PSA: There are signs everywhere saying this, but please, do not try to sit on or ride the capybaras! 😵💫 I can’t believe people actually try this🤦♀️
The Incredible Free-Roaming Bird Zone 🦩
If you aren’t terrified of birds, this zone is going to blow your mind. It feels like you’ve stepped straight into a tropical jungle!
I saw birds I legitimately thought were made up by Disney animators. You know the giant Toucan with the massive colorful beak? It was sitting right there! It honestly looked like a plastic prop until it moved. There were also majestic owls just chilling on tree branches, giving everyone the ultimate side-eye. They looked so cool.😎
While some of the larger birds are in spacious enclosures, a lot of them are completely free-roaming and will just casually stroll down the walking paths with you. If you have little ones who are easily spooked by sudden fluttering, just hold their hands a little tighter in this section!
Zero-Distance Animal Encounters 🦦
Aside from the capybaras, there are so many other stations where you can pay a couple of coins to feed the animals.
First of all, the Meerkats! Seeing them stand straight up on their hind legs… I felt like I was looking at Timon from The Lion King. I swear I thought they only did that in cartoons!
✨ Hattie’s Top Recommendation: You have to visit the Asian Small-clawed Otters! (Check out my video, it is hysterical). The second they see you walk up to the glass with food, they start frantically scratching and pawing at the window. They look like they are aggressively demanding, “Give me the fish, human, what are you waiting for?!”
You drop the little fish into this clear feeding tube, and they reach their tiny hands in from the inside of the tank to snatch it up.
watching them scramble for their snacks is pure chaos and so incredibly funny! 🐟
We also saw mountain goats, chimpanzees, and a bunch of quirky little creatures that looked like real-life Pokémon.
Oh, and mini donkeys! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a real donkey before, but they are so petite and precious.😆
Desert Vibes in the Cactus Greenhouses 🌵
Did you know “Shaboten” actually means cactus? This park is home to over 1,500 different species of cacti and succulents from all over the world, housed in these massive, aesthetic pyramid greenhouses!
I used to have this fantasy of having a Pinterest-perfect apartment balcony filled with succulents. But after researching how much sunlight and perfectly timed watering they need to actually thrive… yeah, my lazy girl era said absolutely not.😅
But walking into this greenhouse was a total dream 📸 Just a fair warning: because it’s a desert greenhouse, it is significantly warmer and drier inside. If you visit during the summer, it kind of feels like walking into an oven, so keep that water bottle handy!💧
The Perfect Izu 1-Day Itinerary: Pairing with Mt. Omuro 🚠
Since you made the trek out to Izu, you cannot miss Mt. Omuro—it literally looks like a giant, fuzzy matcha pudding bowl! The best part? The Mt. Omuro chairlift station is directly across the street from the zoo. It takes less than one minute to walk there.
🗓️ Hattie’s Perfect Day Trip Plan:
Morning: Arrive at Izu Shaboten Zoo right when it opens (beat the crowds, feed the animals while they are still hungry!).
Lunch: Grab some food at the restaurants right outside the zoo/mountain base.
Afternoon: Take the chairlift up Mt. Omuro. If it’s a clear day, you can see the ocean and even Mt. Fuji!
Late Afternoon: Head back down and pop into the Izu Teddy Bear Museum (super cute and nearby) before catching the train back to Tokyo.
Souvenir Shopping: Prepare to Lose Your Mind 🛍️
Usually, theme park gift shops are kind of tacky, and I just speed-walk through them. But wow, the gift shop at Izu Shaboten Zoo is dangerously good. You need to budget at least 30 to 45 minutes just to browse because you will want everything.😆
There are aisles upon aisles of snacks packaged in the most aesthetic, kawaii capybara wrappers. I wanted to buy every single box, but I had to remind myself of the strict luggage weight limits for my flight back home! Besides the animal merch, they also sell amazing local Japanese specialties, like Shizuoka matcha products and premium seaweed. I bought a delicious seaweed soup mix here, which made it so easy to get my souvenir shopping done in one spot.
✨ Hattie’s Souvenir Haul:
I have zero self-control, so obviously, I bought the giant cactus plushie I am holding in my photos! 🌵 The second I saw it, I grabbed it. I love buying souvenirs that actually act as bold statement decor pieces in my home. The bottom has a built-in sandbag, so it stands up perfectly straight on the floor. Yes, it took up an obnoxious amount of space in my Away suitcase, but I have zero regrets. It sits next to my TV stand now and brings me so much joy.💛
In my other hand, you’ll see the capybara ears headband I bought for my sister. it’s because she’s just as cute as a capybara (praying she doesn’t read this post 🤣). Headbands are such fun souvenirs for your girlfriends! You can wear them to other theme parks, or just use them for funny photo ops.
(I bought way too many snacks, so I’ll do a separate “Japanese Souvenir Taste Test” post soon!)
FAQ: What You Need to Know 🤔
Q: How much time should I plan to spend at the zoo?
A: I highly recommend budgeting at least 2.5 to 3 hours! I thought it would be a quick 10-minute stop, but between the animal feedings, the greenhouses, and getting trapped in the gift shop, 3 hours flew by.
Q: Is the park stroller or wheelchair friendly?
A: Yes! While there are a few hills, the park is very accessible with ramps and paved paths, making it super easy to push a stroller around.
Q: What if it rains on the day we go?
A: The massive pyramid greenhouses are entirely indoors, so you’ll be perfectly fine there! However, the outdoor animal enclosures (like the capybara baths) won’t be as fun in the rain. Cross your fingers for sunny skies!☀️
(Pro Tip: Be sure to save a picture of the park map so you don’t waste energy walking in circles!)
🌟 Hattie’s Final Thoughts:
When I was putting together my Japan itinerary, I honestly thought Izu Shaboten Zoo was going to be a “take a photo for Instagram and leave in 10 minutes” kind of place. But the capybaras were so ridiculously cute that we lost track of time entirely😆.
From the desert zones to the exotic birds, it was easily one of the most surprising and delightful stops on our entire Japan trip. If you are heading to Tokyo, do yourself a favor and take a day trip down to Izu. You will not regret it! See you in the next post~ Bye! 👋💕
My Izu OOTD🫧
Since it was so hot, I wanted to be comfortable but still look cute for photos. Here are the links to recreate this look:
🤍 The Ultimate Vacation Dress:
A white dress is basically a built-in ring light for your photos, especially against the green cacti and desert tones! It made the pictures pop so much.
👉 Click here to shop my curated list of airy, summer-perfect white dresses!
👢 The Comfy Cowboy Boots:
I paired the dress with these gorgeous western boots. They give the outfit such a fun, trendy edge!
👉 Run, don’t walk! Click here to shop high-quality Cowboy Boots directly on Amazon!
✨ The Everyday Gold Necklace:
I get asked about this necklace all the time. I have worn this piece for years, through extreme summer heat and sweat, and it has NEVER tarnished. It is the ultimate staple piece.
👉 Click here to grab my holy-grail Madewell everyday gold necklace!
💛 Hattie’s Choice｜ The Travel Essentials（Amazon edit）
💤 Fishers Finery 25 Momme Silk Mask
Say goodbye to that cheap, scratchy feel. The 25 momme thickness is a total game-changer for getting actual beauty sleep on a long-haul flight.👉click to shop
🕶️ Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses
My ultimate “no-makeup” hack! Whether you just landed or you’re heading to the beach, this frame shape is so flattering on my face shapes.👉click to shop
🧳 Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
A $10 gadget that saves you $100 in overweight fees. It comes with the battery included—total lifesaver for heavy packers like me!👉click to shop
🧻 Extra Large Floral Toilet Covers
These extra-large covers protect the entire seat, so you don’t have to worry about your skin (or your wide-leg pants or your kids) touching anything in public restrooms.👉click to shop
Cabin air is so drying, but this lip mask keeps my lips plump and hydrated all flight long. It’s pure luxury in a little jar.👉click to shop
One plug to charge them all. It’s fast, compact, and powers my phone, laptop, and headphones simultaneously.👉click to shop
The perfect detail for those “hand-holding-coffee” shots. It’s affordable, chic, and instantly elevates your vacation style.👉click to shop
The ultimate space-saver! These shrink your clothes so you can pack 30% more. Keeps your suitcase organized and chic.👉click to shop
📎 Perilogics Airplane Phone Holder
It’s a total hands-free essential for binging your favorite shows comfortably in the air.👉click to shop
📷Want to see more live updates from my Japan travels? I’ve archived everything from this trip into my Story Highlights! Although my travel funds are completely dried up for now 🥲 and my feed will mostly focus on daily outfits, if you’re looking for some travel outfit inspiration, come check out my instagram @hattiefoundthis! 👇✨
