In April 2024, the restaurants and shops at Ikeda Zoo in Okayama City , which has a history of over 70 years, will be renovated!
2024.11.27The interior of the store, made with wood from Okayama Prefecture, has a warm wooden feel, and fun touches like animal footprints painted on the floor can be seen everywhere. The shop sells stuffed animals and miscellaneous goods with animal motifs, and its original products are also a hot topic! We will introduce the top 3 most popular items from the shop and a restaurant where you can see giraffes.
(Some photos provided by Ikeda Zoo)
What is Ikeda Zoo?
Ikeda Zoo is about a 10-minute drive from JR Okayama Station. Although it's close to the city center, it's located in the mountains, so you can really feel the natural surroundings. It opened in 1953 as Japan's first privately run zoo. Its predecessor, Ikeda Farm, was established in 1948.
The zoo is home to around 90 different species of animals. Among them, white tigers, spotted hyenas, and white raccoon dogs are said to be rare even nationwide. Ikeda Zoo has bred animals in the past, and baby spotted hyenas have been moved to other zoos. Zoos work together to protect animal species.
The original merchandise designed by the zookeepers is interesting
As soon as you pass through the entrance, you'll see a building with a stylish exterior. This is the newly renovated "Footprint Shop" and "Gochisou Kitchen." It's barrier-free, so strollers can easily enter.
Inside the "Footprint Shop," stuffed animal toys and other items are displayed. As the name of the shop suggests, there are footprints of lions, birds, and giraffes on the floor! The shop is brightly lit with penlights, and the spacious space allows you to leisurely choose souvenirs.
The top 3 most popular items are original products that can only be purchased here
1. Original badge (350 yen)
Photos of the animals taken by the zookeepers have been made into badges. These are very popular. The sense of distance that only a zookeeper can capture and the adorable expressions on the animals' faces are irresistible. The oldest baby monkey is a Geoffroy's spider monkey, born in January of this year. So cute!
② Original T-shirt (2,800 yen)
These T-shirts feature illustrations of animals from Ikeda Zoo. They come in sizes ranging from 80cm to XXXL, so it's cute to have matching outfits for the whole family.
③ Original postcard (160 yen/each)
The best shots taken by the zookeepers will be turned into postcards. A postcard of your favorite animal is sure to become a memorable memory of your trip.
Speaking for animals in Okayama dialect
"Okayama Dialect!" is an original product that will make you chuckle, as if the animals are muttering. There are three types: an original hand towel, a badge, and a pouch, and they feature a spotted hyena, a flamingo, and a reticulated giraffe muttering. The spotted hyena eats even the bones, so it says, "I love bones." The flamingo, standing on one leg, blurts out its true feelings, saying, "My feet are cold." The reticulated giraffe seems to be aware of its long neck, saying, "My neck is long."
The shop is not the only place within the zoo where the zookeepers come up with ideas and incorporate their opinions. Many of the athletic facilities where the animals play and the signs within the zoo are apparently handmade by the zookeepers. Please pay attention to these things when observing the animals.
Okayama dialect! Original hand towel (1,000 yen), badge (350 yen), pouch (1,200 yen)
[Footprint Shop]
Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00 to closing time / Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 9:30 to closing time
"Gochisou Kitchen" where you can see giraffes from the window
The restaurant seats 60 people and is stylishly cafe-style. With sofa seating and tables that seat six, it is comfortable for both small and large groups. There are also five children's chairs, so you don't have to worry. Before the renovation, it was a typical Showa- Showa restaurant with a TV, but it was a place filled with memories for regular customers. "It's sad to see the old restaurant go, but it's good to see it getting a new one," said one customer, who was looking forward to the new restaurant.
You can even see the reticulated giraffes from inside the restaurant through the large windows. You can get even closer from the terrace seats, something you'll only find at a zoo. The staff have also kindly sent us a message saying, "We hope you'll enjoy your time in our stylish cafe-style restaurant."
We would like to introduce some popular products from Gochisou Kitchen.
①Ikeda Ramen (800 yen)
The most popular dish is the traditional ramen with a sweet soy sauce base. The chashu pork is handmade in the restaurant. It's a dish that everyone, from children to adults, loves.
② Lion Curry / White Tiger Curry (750 yen each)
The mild curry is a big hit with children. The lion curry has a mane made of curry sauce. There is also a white tiger curry, with the tiger's wide-open mouth filled with curry sauce. It's hard to decide which one to order. The menu lists 28 allergens, which is a great way to help.
③ Chicken Nanban set meal (980 yen)
The Chicken Nanban set meal is a popular choice for those who want a hearty meal. Other options include fried chicken set meals and cutlet set meals, and you can order extra large portions for an additional 150 yen. There are also seasonal menus, and currently you can enjoy Zaru Udon and soup udon. With around 20 different menu items, including pasta and rice bowls, you'll want to come back again and again.
[Gourmet Kitchen]
Opening hours: Weekdays 11:30-14:30 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00-15:30
*An admission fee will be charged when using the Footprint Shop and Gourmet Kitchen.
*The seats inside and on the terrace of Gochisou Kitchen are only available to those who order at the restaurant. Please use the benches in the park if you have brought your own lunch.
There is also a shop where you can purchase snacks. "Ikeda Soft Serve" comes in eight different flavors and comes with an animal cookie. It's a surprise which animal cookie you'll come across! There is also a wide variety of snacks available, including takoyaki, curry bread, and chicken wings.
[Snack corner]
Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00 to closing time / Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 9:30 to closing time
Ikeda Zoo's official Instagram account posts photos of the animals taken by the zookeepers. The adorable expressions they show towards the zookeepers are soothing. They also update information on events, so be sure to check it out.
Let's go see the nocturnal animals in August!
During the summer holidays in August, the "Ikeda Zoo Night Zoo Illumination" is held, allowing you to enjoy the zoo at night. There are nocturnal animals, so it would be a fun independent study project to predict how they behave at night, observe what they actually do, and compare it to daytime. The zoo is also lit up with illuminations, and food trucks from popular Okayama restaurants will also be there. You can also enjoy food and drinks, so it's sure to be a memorable summer holiday experience.
[Ikeda Zoo Night Illumination]
Dates: August 10th (Sat), 11th (Sun), 17th (Sat), 24th (Sat), 31st (Sat), 2024
Event hours: 17:00-21:30 (entrance reception closes at 20:30)
*Please check the website for details.
Baby-friendly too!
It was Baby's first time at the zoo and he had a great experience meeting the animals.
If you get tired of walking, you can take a break in the lovely "Gochisou Kitchen"!
Ikeda Zoo offers stroller rentals (200 yen per day) and has two baby rooms. The baby rooms have diaper changing beds and you can even breastfeed on the sofa. The restaurant provides hot water for milk and baby food. They also sell large diapers for 80 yen each, making it a child-friendly facility. The zoo is located in the mountains, so there are some slopes. It is recommended to bring light luggage. Don't forget to bring insect repellent.
[Ikeda Zoo]
Address: 2-5-1 Kyoyama, Kita-ku , Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture Kita Ward TEL: 086-252-2131 (9:00-17:00)
Opening hours: April - October 9:30 - 17:00 / November - March 9:30 - 16:30
*Admission is accepted until 1 hour before closing time.
Closed days: Check the website for details
Parking: Available (paid)
Strollers: OK
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