Izu Shaboten Zoo
Experience the unique Capybara Onsen, interact with animals, and explore stunning cactus gardens at Izu Shaboten Zoo.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Capybara onsen season!
Izu Shaboten Zoo
Best Time
Capybara onsen season!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the unique Capybara Onsen, interact with animals, and explore stunning cactus gardens at Izu Shaboten Zoo.
"The Capybara Onsen is a highlight, offering a unique and relaxing spectacle for visitors."
🎯 Check Capybara Onsen Schedule
The onsen is seasonal (Nov-Apr). Confirm daily times as they vary.
🚗 Getting to the Zoo
Taxis or private cars are often recommended for timely arrival from Ito Station.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.3 · 9,276 reviews
Type
Zoo
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Capybara Onsen
Capybara enclosure
Watch adorable capybaras soak in a hot spring, often with floating citrus fruits or flowers. A truly unique and relaxing sight!
Cactus Picking Activity
Cactus greenhouses
Choose your own cactus and pot to create a personalized souvenir to take home. A fun, hands-on experience!
Nocturnal Animal House
Nocturnal animal area
Discover fascinating nocturnal creatures, including bats, in a specially designed, dimly lit environment.
Free-Roaming Animals
Various areas
Enjoy seeing animals like parrots and monkeys roam freely in spacious, naturalistic habitats, offering unique viewing opportunities.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Capybara Onsen Timing is Key
+2Consider Animal Welfare Concerns
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Capybara Onsen Schedule
The onsen is seasonal (Nov-Apr). Confirm daily times as they vary.
🚗 Getting to the Zoo
Taxis or private cars are often recommended for timely arrival from Ito Station.
🌵 Cactus Souvenir Fun
Don't miss the chance to pick and pot your own cactus to take home!
☔️ Rain Gear Provided
Umbrellas are available at the entrance if it rains, so don't let weather deter you.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Capybara Onsen Schedule
The onsen is seasonal (Nov-Apr). Confirm daily times as they vary.
🚗 Getting to the Zoo
Taxis or private cars are often recommended for timely arrival from Ito Station.
🌵 Cactus Souvenir Fun
Don't miss the chance to pick and pot your own cactus to take home!
☔️ Rain Gear Provided
Umbrellas are available at the entrance if it rains, so don't let weather deter you.
💰 Feed the Animals
Food stations are available to feed many animals, a highlight for kids.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Izu Shaboten Zoo offers a unique experience, particularly its famous Capybara Onsen during winter months. Visitors enjoy interactive animal feeding, a fun cactus-picking activity, and impressive cactus greenhouses. However, some reviews raise concerns about the size and enrichment of enclosures for certain larger animals, leading to mixed feelings about animal welfare.
"If you’ve just ridden the Mt. Omuro cable car (the tram that takes you to the top of the grassy volcano), turn around and walk literally across the road — that’s where you’ll find Izu Shaboten Zoo. It’s the perfect laid-back half-day activity after the view from the summit.
This isn’t one of those massive, exhausting zoos. It’s compact, shady, and genuinely cozy. On the weekday I visited, it felt almost private — hardly any crowds, just the sound of gravel underfoot and the occasional peacock screech.
Of course, the undisputed stars are the capybaras. They have a huge outdoor area with a hot-spring bath (yes, the capybaras actually soak in an onsen in winter — adorable doesn’t even begin to cover it). Even in summer they’re ridiculously chill, lounging in the water or munching grass while visitors watch in quiet awe.
Other highlights:
• Free-roaming peacocks that follow you around like they own the place (one decided to walk with me for a solid ten minutes — best escort ever).
• A fantastic walk-through bird zone where flamingos, sacred ibis, ducks, geese, and spoonbills wander right past your feet. No cages, just a big netted area — you really feel like you’ve stepped into their world.
• Classic zoo lineup done well: cheeky otters, wallabies, antelopes, donkeys, turkeys, parrots, even a few lazy sloths hanging in the greenhouse section.
My only tiny disappointment was that the shoebill wasn’t on display the day I went (apparently he sometimes takes “days off” inside). Next time!
Everything feels lovingly maintained, the paths are easy, there are plenty of benches in the shade, and the whole vibe is relaxed and happy. Combine it with the cable car and the cactus greenhouse (the “shaboten” part of the name) next door, and you’ve got yourself a perfect easygoing afternoon on the Izu Plateau."
Dennis ?
"I visited Izu Shaboten Zoo by bike on Friday, and it was lively with many tourists and local schoolchildren. In the nocturnal animals’ area, I saw bats for the first time in my life, which was a memorable experience. The zoo has a spacious layout where animals move around freely, and of course the capybaras were a highlight.
The best part was the cactus-picking activity, where you choose your own cactus and pot to create a unique arrangement to take home. Although the entrance fee felt a bit high, the experience and atmosphere made it worth it."
Uknow
"One of the best zoos! You can see the animals up close and it’s so rare to have the chance to feed so many animals. You can buy the food around the park that correspond to the different animals.
The new giraffe enclosure is amazing, you can see the giraffes from their height!
But the capybaras are always the highlight, no matter how many times we visit ! Try a capybara burger in the restaurant!"
Eat with Lauren
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Getting to Izu Shaboten Zoo from Tokyo involves a train journey to Ito Station, followed by local transport. While apps like Navitime might suggest taxis or private cars for a 10 AM arrival, public transport options exist but may require more time. Consider the Shinkansen to Atami, then the local Ito Line to Ito Station. From Ito Station, local buses or taxis can take you to the zoo.
A day trip to Izu Shaboten Zoo from Tokyo is possible but can be a long day due to travel time. It's best to start early. The zoo itself can be explored in about 2-4 hours, leaving time for travel.
Navigating the Izu area, especially to the zoo, can be challenging with public transport alone. Taxis or private cars are often recommended for efficiency, particularly if aiming for an early start.
Yes, Izu Shaboten Zoo typically offers parking facilities for visitors arriving by car. It's advisable to check their official website for the most current information on parking availability and any associated fees.
Yes, you can reach Izu Shaboten Zoo by public transport. Take the train to Ito Station and then use a local bus or taxi to get to the zoo. Be aware that travel times can be longer compared to private transport.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While some reviews mention the entrance fee feeling a bit high, others consider it reasonable for the experience, especially for families. It's best to check the official Izu Shaboten Zoo website for the most up-to-date admission prices.
Booking tickets in advance is generally not required for Izu Shaboten Zoo, but it's always a good idea to check their official website for any special events or peak season recommendations. This can help you avoid queues, especially during busy periods.
The opening hours for Izu Shaboten Zoo can vary, especially for seasonal events like the Capybara Onsen. It's recommended to check their official website for the most current operating hours before your visit.
Yes, the Capybara Onsen experience is typically included with the general admission ticket to Izu Shaboten Zoo. However, specific viewing times and schedules should be confirmed on their official website.
Information on discounts for Izu Shaboten Zoo is not widely available in social media or reviews. It's advisable to check their official website or inquire directly with the zoo for any potential offers, such as group rates or seasonal promotions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The capybaras are a major highlight, especially during their onsen season. You can also see spider monkeys, parrots, and various nocturnal animals. Many visitors enjoy the free-roaming animals and the unique bird exhibits.
Families can enjoy feeding many of the animals, participating in the cactus-picking activity to create a souvenir, and exploring the spacious zoo grounds. The close encounters with animals are a big hit with children.
Yes, Izu Shaboten Zoo is generally considered suitable for young children. The ability to feed many animals and the close viewing opportunities make it engaging for kids. However, some reviews mention concerns about enclosure sizes for larger animals.
The Capybara Onsen is a winter event where capybaras bathe in a hot spring, often with floating fruits or flowers. It's a unique and relaxing spectacle that draws many visitors.
Yes, you can feed many of the animals at Izu Shaboten Zoo. Food stations are available throughout the park, allowing for interactive experiences, particularly with the capybaras and other smaller animals.
📸 📸 Photography
The Capybara Onsen is a prime photo opportunity, especially with the floating elements. The free-roaming animals, like parrots and monkeys, also offer great shots. The cactus greenhouses provide unique botanical backdrops.
Animal enclosures often have minimal barriers, allowing for clear shots. However, some animals may be shy or move quickly, so patience is key. The Capybara Onsen viewing can get crowded, so securing a good vantage point early is helpful.
Generally, photography is allowed at Izu Shaboten Zoo. However, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid using flash photography directly at animals, especially in enclosed or dimly lit areas, to prevent disturbing them.
A versatile zoom lens (e.g., 70-200mm) is useful for capturing animals from a distance. A wide-angle lens can be good for the cactus greenhouses and overall park scenery. A camera with good low-light performance is beneficial for the nocturnal house.
Yes, you can take photos of the Capybara Onsen. However, due to crowds, especially on weekends, getting a clear, unobstructed shot might require some maneuvering or arriving early.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit