May 15, 2015 - 1 min read

Yumemigasaki Zoo in Kawasaki

Red pandas and more at this free zoo

By Michael Williams

Community writer

One of the main attractions is this pair of Red Pandas

Goats sit atop their mound, looking down. How do they manage to stay up there!

Turtles swim by the penguins, in the sea exhibit

This turtle enjoys staying out in the sun

Many different kinds of lemur are also in the park

Many monkeys are in the park, such as this Squirrel Monkey

The animals are very peaceful, making for a lovely watch

Whilst guinea pigs are pets in my home country, here they are a rarity!

The zoo boasts a large bird exhibit, including parrots

This cockatiel is just one of the many birds in the exhbit

The Macaw's are sure to put a smile on your face, with their weird contortions

Many Macaw's come to the grate to greet you!

Zoos are great for a day out with the family or friends, but can usually be costly. However, in Kawasaki, the Yumemigasaki Zoo is completely free.

Situated upon a hill 10 minutes away from Shin-Kawasaki station (25 minutes from Shinjuku on the Shonan-Shinjuku line) it is extremely easy to get to. Over 50 types of animals exist in the park, including ring-tailed lemurs, mountain zebras, penguins, monkeys and red pandas.

The zoo is open from 9am till 4pm. Within is a lunch and play area, making it a perfect day out for children. It is also joins onto Yumemigasaki Park, a large grass area for playing games, or just relaxing in the sun. For those who want to explore more whilst there, the zoo is also surrounded by shrines including the Asama and Yuya Shrine, as well as Ryogenji Temple at the front of the zoo park.

If you're visiting Tokyo or Yokohama, then the Yumemigasaki Zoo is extremely close by and perfect for enjoying a day out.