Today, I would like to introduce Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, a unique zoo in Japan. While the main attraction of this zoo is, as the name suggests, the Alligators, it is actually the only place in Japan where you can see Himalayan red pandas. In this post, I would like to focus on these adorable Himalayan red pandas.
Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden consists of two parts: the main park located in front of Izu Atagawa Station and a satellite park accessible via a shuttle bus. Utilizing the hot spring’s natural warmth, the zoo engages in the breeding of alligators and the cultivation of tropical plants. It boasts the world’s largest collection of alligators species, with approximately 140 individuals of 17 different types, including hybrids. Additionally, it is the only facility in Japan involved in the breeding and conservation of Himalayan red pandas, as well as the only exhibitor of Amazon manatees in Japan. The zoo is also home to various other animals, such as tortoises, capybaras, giant salamanders, and flamingos. Furthermore, it nurtures around 20 different varieties of bananas and cultivates approximately 5,000 species of tropical plants.
Now let’s talk about the main topic: the Himalayan red pandas. There are two main types of red pandas, one being the Sichuan red panda and the other being the Himalayan red panda. Except for this location, all the red pandas in Japanese zoos are of the Sichuan variety. The Himalayan red panda is incredibly rare and unique. In terms of appearance, their facial fur color is slightly lighter, and their tail stripes are not as distinct compared to the Sichuan red pandas. Personally, I find the Himalayan red pandas even more adorable.
Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, they have a lot of Himalayan red pandas, and during my visit, I was able to see six of them. Two of them were housed in a spacious area with large trees, and I had the pleasure of witnessing them climbing the trees. It was incredibly cute to see them napping on the branches.
Access by train can be a bit cumbersome, especially from Tokyo, where you would need to transfer between JR and Izu Kyuko lines, taking approximately 2 hours to reach the destination. However, once you arrive at the station, it’s a walk of less than 5 minutes to Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden.
If you have the opportunity to rent a car, it would be more convenient to drive there. The zoo provides ample parking facilities on-site. Moreover, the area offers several scenic spots with beautiful views of Mt.Fuji, making it even more favorable to have a rental car.
For more detailed information, please visit the official website.
Lastly, I will conclude by showcasing a few additional photos taken during my visit.
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