2026 Saitama Children's Zoo Splash Pond: A Full Day of Fun

This is a one-day course for enjoying animals and water play at once, centered on the Splash Pond at Saitama Children's Zoo (埼玉県こども動物自然公園) in Higashimatsuyama City. The Splash Pond is open from Saturday, July 18, 2026 to Friday, September 11, 2026, from 9:30 to 16:00 (excluding Mondays, when the park is closed; on some days the water is not filled depending on weather and temperature). The Splash Pond itself is free, but separate admission applies: 900 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high students, and free for preschoolers. There is a shop right nearby selling ice cream and light meals, so you will never be stuck for a refill between bouts of play. The morning starts by walking the sculpture promenade in front of Takasaka Station (高坂駅) and looking up at the great ginkgo at Iwadono Kannon Shobo-ji Temple (巌殿山正法寺) on the hill. Then head straight into the park, meet popular animals such as penguins and koalas, and have lunch on the grounds. In the afternoon, move to the Splash Pond and spend time you can have only here, sending up spray inside a zoo. The park sits on hilly ground and is simply vast, so the trick is to make good use of the in-park bus and save your energy.