Hamura Zoo

Small zoo, good for little ones

Nowhere near on the size or scale of Ueno or Tama Zoos, Hamura Zoo is situated in the outer suburbs of Tokyo Prefecture and makes for a great way to spend a couple of hours if you're in the area with little ones in tow. The admission fee is small - only 300 yen for adults, 50 yen for children, and free for those aged 3 and under - so it's a good one if you're on a budget but looking for an activity to keep them occupied for a while. The zoo has a range of different animals from the big (including giraffes!) to the small (porcupines!) and even a petting zoo where the kids can hold baby chickens and guinea pigs. This in particular was a hit for our daughter and her friends around the same age. There is a parking lot right next to the zoo itself so it makes driving there easy.