“Dare to touch?” I wonder. Right here at the Children’s Zoo STEP in Ueno Zoo, kids can get up close and personal with amazing animals.
Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest zoo. It opened in 1882. The Children’s Zoo STEP is a special area inside Ueno Zoo. It is designed just for kids. Here, children can touch and interact with animals.
Imagine petting a cute little mouse. The Children’s Zoo STEP offers a “Hands-On Mouse Class”. Kids can observe and gently pet these tiny creatures. There’s also a “Hands-On Guinea Pig Class”. Children can touch these small animals while watching a picture story. Free tickets are needed. Get them early. They are available from 9:30 AM. They are at the ticket counter near the Benten Gate in the West Garden.
Want something more daring? On Sundays, from 1:20 PM to 1:40 PM, is “Touch me!?” Kids can touch animals like snakes and lizards. They can even take photos. This happens in the Reptile and Amphibian House. It’s not held if it rains.
The Children’s Zoo STEP has other animals too. There are goats, horses, llamas, and donkeys. These are all domestic animals. You can see many different animals up close at Ueno Zoo. It has about 2,500 animals. These animals represent about 350 species. The zoo has some of the world’s rarest animals. These include the Giant Panda, Okapi, and Pygmy Hippo.
Ueno Zoo is divided into two main gardens: the East Garden and the West Garden. The Children’s Zoo STEP is in the West Garden. The West Garden is scenic. It is on the shores of Shinobazu Pond. The pond is full of lotus plants.
Ueno Zoo offers many services. There are coin lockers for your bags. You can rent strollers for little ones. There are nursing spaces for families. If you lose something, visit the General Information Center. They can help with lost items. They also help with missing children.
The Children’s Zoo STEP is a great place for kids. It offers fun and educational experiences. Kids can learn about animals. They can also interact with them. It is important to remember that the zoo is closed on Mondays. It is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
So, next time you are in Tokyo, visit Ueno Zoo. Make sure to stop by the Children’s Zoo STEP. It’s a place where kids can connect with nature. They can create lasting memories with animals. Remember to get your tickets early. Enjoy the animals. Respect their space. Have fun at the Children’s Zoo STEP.