Located within Minami-koen (South park) in the Chūō-ku district of Fukuoka, Japan, the Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden offers a delightful escape for travelers exploring the region. Originally established in a different location in 1933 and re-established at its current site in 1953, this dual-purpose attraction pairs animal exhibits with lush flora.
Plant lovers can explore outdoor spaces featuring around 1,300 mostly common outdoor garden plant types, alongside a diverse greenhouse housing over 1,200 species, including cacti, ferns, and vibrant orchids. Animal enthusiasts will appreciate the zoo's varied collection, which historically grew to include hundreds of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
You can also trace a bit of local history while visiting, learning about its evolution from a modest wartime sanctuary to a beloved city institution that famously featured a miniature train, a Ferris wheel, and iconic resident elephants—including four elephants welcomed from Yangon, Myanmar, in July 2024. Whether you are wandering through the tropical greenhouse flora or discovering the various creature exhibits nestled inside South park, the Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden provides an engaging, educational experience for your Japanese itinerary.
What to see at Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Greenhouse containing over 1,200 plant species like orchids, ferns, and cacti
- Outdoor gardens displaying about 1,300 types of common plant life
- Diverse animal collection featuring mammals, birds, and reptiles
- Located inside Fukuoka's scenic Minami-koen (South park)
Visiting tips
Be sure to venture inside the botanical garden's greenhouse to see its extensive collection of orchids, ferns, and cacti.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden is easy to reach on Fukuoka’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Fukuoka Mosque and Fukuoka Art Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Fukuoka travel guide.
See the full Fukuoka travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.