Nagano City Joyama Zoo (長野市城山動物園)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A small, free-admission zoo tucked into a corner of Joyama Park (城山公園), just east of Zenkoji. You can meet animals at just the right distance for kids' eye level, including adorably waddling Humboldt penguins, sea lions gliding through their pool, Japanese macaques, ponies, and guinea pigs. The grounds also have old-fashioned, retro play equipment and rides, adding the appeal of a bit of fun alongside animal watching. Its compact size means even small children can go around the whole zoo without getting too tired, making it a perfect pairing with a visit to Zenkoji.

Tips

Admission is free, and the rides inside cost a few hundred yen each, separately. It's about a 10-minute walk from Zenkoji, and you can enter with a stroller. There are benches inside, but the shop is quite small, so bringing your own drinks is reassuring. Opening hours and closed days change with the season, so check in advance.

Best time to visit

About 2 hours. In the early afternoon, the animals are more active and easy to watch, and you can take your time going around.

Access & map

〒380-0802 Nagano Prefecture, Nagano City, Agematsu 2-chome １−１９