Things I didn't try early on: seasonal zoo events

I did visit the zoo in my early days in Japan, but I was in Japan many years before I caught on to some of the seasonal events at the zoo. The capybara onsen (hot spring) in particular comes to mind. I was reminded of this yesterday when I visited the zoo to see this beloved seasonal event.

Although, I was in Japan many years before I went to see a capybara onsen, I have made up for lost time! In recent years I visit a capybara onsen at least once each winter. I usually go to one of two zoos, Saitama Children's Zoo or Chikozan Park Children's zoo, to see this adorable winter tradition. I don't know what it is, but there is something very therapeutic about watching capybara relax in an outdoor bath of hot water! 

The capybara onsen / hot spring is something you can see at several zoos around Japan in the winter months. Its usually not an all day event, but at a specified time during the day. Some zoos may only have it on weekends, but larger zoos tend to have it daily. The photo in this post is from Saitama Children's Zoo. I took it yesterday, February 1st 2026.