Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the largest and most popular attractions in Nagoya, a sprawling complex on the wooded hills of Chikusa Ward that combines a major zoo, an extensive botanical garden, an amusement area and an observation tower. Established in 1937, it draws millions of visitors a year and consistently ranks among the most-visited zoos in Japan, offering families and nature lovers a full day out in green surroundings just a short subway ride from the city centre.

The zoo houses more than 500 species, from elephants, lions, giraffes and polar bears to koalas and a celebrated troupe of gorillas. Its most famous resident is Shabani, a strikingly photogenic silverback gorilla whose brooding good looks made him an internet sensation and a genuine local celebrity, often surrounded by admiring crowds. The zoo balances classic big-animal exhibits with newer, more naturalistic enclosures, and it is well set up for children, with a petting area and plenty of space to roam.

The adjoining botanical garden is a destination in its own right and one of the oldest of its kind in the country. Its centrepiece is a graceful glass greenhouse, completed in 1937 and designated an Important Cultural Property, regarded as the oldest surviving public greenhouse in Japan and often called the "Crystal Palace of the East." Around it spread themed plantings, ponds, a Japanese garden and a relocated thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouse brought from the Shirakawa-go region. In spring the grounds explode with cherry blossoms — Higashiyama is considered one of Nagoya's premier hanami spots, with thousands of trees — while autumn brings vivid foliage.

Rising above it all is the Higashiyama Sky Tower, a 134-metre observation tower on the hilltop. Its upper decks give sweeping views over the zoo, the botanical garden's greenery and the Nagoya skyline beyond, and it is especially atmospheric at dusk. A small amusement-ride area and several restaurants and rest spots round out the offering, making it easy to spend most of a day here.

Because the grounds are large and set on hills, expect a fair amount of walking and some slopes; comfortable shoes are essential, and it is worth planning a route to avoid backtracking. The complex is open daily except Mondays, and admission is remarkably cheap at 500 yen for adults, which covers both the zoo and the botanical garden, with the Sky Tower a small extra charge; children enter free, making it excellent value for families.

Access could hardly be simpler: the Higashiyama Subway Line runs directly to Higashiyama Koen Station, only a few minutes' walk from the gate. For travellers with children, garden enthusiasts, or anyone wanting a relaxed day among animals, flowers and cherry trees, Higashiyama offers Nagoya's best combination of nature and family fun, and its historic greenhouse and hilltop views give it appeal well beyond the usual city zoo.