With kids
Tennoji Zoo
Tennoji Zoo sits between Shinsekai and Tennoji Park, making it one of the easiest zoos to reach in central Osaka. Its African Savanna zone is designed to look like the real habitat, with giraffes, rhinos and other savanna animals living together among rock outcrops.
The hippo exhibit has an underwater viewing pool. You watch the hippos through a single pane of glass, with Nile tilapia swimming alongside them. Tickets are cheap and preschoolers get in free, so it's an easy half-day with children.
What to see and do
An underwater window lets you watch hippos swim at very close range. The zoo sometimes holds hippo tooth-brushing demonstrations here.
Giraffes, rhinos and other savanna animals share a naturalistic landscape of kopje rock formations.
Other areas include Elephant Village, the walk-through Bird World and the marine animal zone.
The Shinsekai Gate leads straight out to Tsutenkaku and its casual restaurants.
Strollers and babies
Paid 3- and 4-wheel buggies can be rented near the Shinsekai Gate plaza and just inside the Tenshiba Gate, in limited numbers. Rented buggies must be returned when you leave. Nursing rooms are at four spots (including by the Shinsekai Gate), with baby beds and diaper disposal, and one has hot water for formula. Some park restrooms also have baby beds and chairs
Good to know
- Come in the morning. Last entry is 16:00 and some animals go off view after 15:00.
- Go in at one gate and out at the other: Shinsekai Gate for Tsutenkaku, or Tenshiba Gate for Tennoji Station and Abeno Harukas.