Discovering Nagoya’s Hidden Gem: Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, explore a day of animals, autumn leaves, and iconic architecture for just ¥500!
This review contains affiliate links

If you’re looking for an affordable and relaxing way to spend a half-day in Nagoya, the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an excellent choice. For only ¥500, this expansive park offers much more than just a zoo.

Here, you can explore the historic Gassho-zukuri building relocated from Shirakawa-go(a world heritage!), enjoy the oldest public greenhouse in Japan, savor a meal at a café, and even cool off with an Okinawan Blue Seal ice cream! Let’s take a closer look at what makes this attraction a must-visit.
Foliage Report in Japan
First things first, Japan has something called a “foliage report,” similar to the “sakura report” for cherry blossoms. I am using a website called tenki.jp, a website from Japan Weather Association. Although there’s no English version, it’s easy to navigate once you use google translate extension to translate the page. There are some sites that do foliage report in English but I assume it’s not as updated as those in Japanese.

Tenki is updated twice daily, 9 am and 3pm, quite impressive considering how many spots they cover on the website. As you see from the screenshot, it shows you the different colors of the leaves in different section. When you click the area you’re visiting, it will show you the list of the popular gardens and their conditions. In 2024, due to warmer weather, the colors peaked later than usual.

both screenshots are made on 2024.12.11, the first one is the zoo in Nagoya, which I’ll go into details later, and another is the Atami Plum Garden.

In Atami Plum Garden, the leaves started to turn dark. When I checked a day before, it was still red.
Why Visit Nagoya?
If you’re not sure whether you should visit Nagoya, I would recommend it because it’s not as crowded and packed as Tokyo and Kyoto. I’ve been to Japan 20+ times and 5 times this year, I was surprised by my experience in the Higashiyama Zoo, not crowded at all, nice for picture taking. I didn’t even see one westerner in the zoo.
KKday 2025 Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up One-Day Bus Tour from Takayama
KKday Nagoya Day Tour: Shirakawago, Hida Takayama & Optional Hida Beef Set|Japan
A Perfect Fall Escape: The Beauty of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Located just a short ride from the Higashiyama Park subway station, the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 60-hectare park that combines both a zoo and a botanical garden. The best part? It’s incredibly affordable, with a ticket price of only ¥500! ¥640 if you want to visit the tower. This place is especially popular in the fall when the leaves start to turn vibrant colors, making it the perfect time for nature lovers and photographers.
Top Highlights of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Animal Encounters


This park is not just about plants; it’s also home to a variety of animals. From the iconic koalas to giraffes, flamingos, and even sea lions, there’s plenty to see and enjoy.

The zoo is spacious, and the animals appear well cared for, offering a pleasant experience for animal lovers. Be sure to check out the elephants and the playful seals, which are a hit with visitors.




Vibrant Autumn Leaves in Higashiyama Zoo

I entered the zoo from the left bottom entrance, so zoo first than plants.

The leaves around the koala section is kinda orange. This is my first time seeing maple leaves in Japan, and I was happy it was beyond expectation!



After crossing the bridge, you’re closer to the maple leaves!

nice angle for a closer leaves with the tower as background.

very vibrant color


The park is a beautiful spot to witness Japan’s stunning autumn colors. The maple trees here are particularly picturesque, showcasing an array of reds, oranges, and yellows, providing excellent photo opportunities.

five colors of maple leaves.





We saw two couples taking wedding photos in the park. In Asia, it’s normal to have weddings photo taken pre wedding. We hire photographers, rent expensive gown and pose like models. Some even went abroad for the photo(ex. Iceland).




here is the famous lake, as seen on posters about the zoo.


You can also enjoy these views by strolling around the pond.

The Gassho-zukuri Building


One of the biggest surprises at the park is the Gassho-zukuri house—a traditional thatched-roof building that was relocated from the world heritage site of Shirakawa-go. It’s just located next to the pond.
It’s rare to see a piece of Shirakawa-go outside of its original village, so this is a special experience for any visitor.
Book Nagoya: Hida Takayama & World Heritage Shirakawa-go Day Tour
The Oldest Public Greenhouse in Japan

The Higashiyama Botanical Garden features the Front Greenhouse, a national important cultural property that was completed in 1936. Though we didn’t have time to enter, it’s worth admiring from the outside. The greenhouse is also beautifully lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere.

The selfie stand is particularly helpful, we saw them in some scenic spots on our trip this time in Nagoya and Atami. From my past experience, it’s notably hard to find someone to take a picture of you in Japan, as one of the important values in Japanese culture is not to cause trouble or bother others.


The two photos are taken at almost same time, with and without the sun.
Maison de VERRE Café in Higashiyama Zoo

If you get hungry or want to take a break, the Maison de VERRE café offers a delightful selection of treats. You can enjoy a delicious Blue Seal ice cream, a popular Okinawan brand, we fell in love with it this summer when we went to Okinawa on norwegian spirits(link to my Mandarin blog). There’s also 31 Baskin Robbins and some vending machines close to the entrance of the zoo.

The café also offers savory meals, such as pasta and burgers, and sweet treats like Baumkuchen (German tree cake), which is a must-try! It’s softer than other Baumkuchen you would find in Japan.

It’s 250 yen.

I recommend the Okinawan salt cookies and Shiiquasa sherbet. Click here for English website to find out the flavors.

We found a seat outside over looking the pond. It was about 13 degrees.
Views of Aircraft

For aviation enthusiasts, the park is in a perfect location, with planes frequently flying overhead from the nearby Komaki Airbase. Whether it’s a commercial flight or military jets, it’s an unexpected treat for anyone interested in aircraft.

Fuji Dream Airlines, a small local airline.

Things to Do at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Take Photos of Fall Foliage

Whether it’s the vivid red of the maples or the reflection in the pond, this park is a photographer’s paradise in the fall.
Visit the Souvenir Shop in Higashiyama Zoo

: Don’t forget to stop by the souvenir shop, where you can find cute animal-themed products like erasers and plush toys.

There are several shops and this one is next to the cafe.

Fill the small jar with tiny erasers for 440 yen, perfect souvenir for elementary school kids.
Ride the Monorail

The old-fashioned monorail that runs through the park costs an extra ¥300, but it’s a fun way to see the area from above.
Getting to the Higashiyama Zoo

The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is easy to reach from the Higashiyama Park Station on the subway, just a 3-minute walk from exit 3. You can also take the Hoshinoka Station on the Higashiyama line, which is only a 7-minute walk from the botanical garden entrance.
Conclusion: Higashiyama Zoo, A Hidden Gem in Nagoya

Whether you’re an animal lover, a nature enthusiast, or someone looking for a relaxing way to spend the day, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an excellent choice.
For just ¥500, you get to explore lush gardens, see a variety of animals, and enjoy scenic views of autumn leaves and traditional architecture. Don’t forget to stop by the café for some delicious ice cream and to enjoy a peaceful day away from the busy city life.
My mandarin version of this review can be found here.
Cathay Pacific Lounge TPE: Enjoying Beef Noodles & Bubble Tea
Another hotspot for foliage watching is Nikko, close to Tokyo, where I visited last winter.

Hotel review: A Serene Stay at Kojoen: Snow and Stunning Scenery of Nikko
Discover Nikko’s Winter Magic: A Day Trip from Tokyo to a Snowy World Heritage Site
STARLUX Airlines Economy Class: A330neo Taipei to Da Nang Review
KKday Japan Nagoya LEGOLAND®️ Ticket
2 comments
Love this! I am a huge fan of visiting Nagoya in the autumn – the colours are fabulous eh!? I loved seeing the Gassho-zukuri Building – we visited some villages in the countryside near Nagoya and saw similar buildings – Isn;t the style of thatch gorgeous? 😀
It’s my first time visiting Japan in autumn and the colors looks beautiful! I am from Taiwan so we don’t often see the seasonal change of colors. We do have maple but it’s in the mountains!