Changes to the use of "Creature Square"

The "Creature Square" at Inokashira Park Zoo was established in 2012 as a place where people can enjoy encounters with familiar creatures. Through the "Let's Play at Creatures Square" program held twice a month, many people have the opportunity to experience the fun of searching for creatures for themselves.

The creatures that can be seen in this plaza change depending on the season, usage, and plant conditions, and with the cooperation of experts, we investigate the habitat every month. During this investigation, we found that some species that were commonly seen when the plaza first opened have decreased in number or can no longer be seen.

One possible reason for this change is that the ground was compacted as participants walked along the designated observation route, changing the environment for living things in the soil and the condition of plants.

For this reason, in 2020, a boardwalk was installed from the entrance to the center of the square to prevent only certain areas from being stepped on, increasing the number of observation routes. However, the program was suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Therefore, we extended the boardwalk to the Atelier Hall side, allowing visitors to pass through the square, so that they could still get a sense of the creatures living in the square even during the program hiatus.

Even after the program resumed in 2023, participants continued to use the boardwalk to pass through the plaza, but issues became apparent, such as the boardwalk hindering the movement of small creatures and the rope fence restricting the movement of program participants.In addition, some of the boardwalk's planks had deteriorated due to years of rain and wind, raising safety concerns.

Therefore, we decided to remove the boardwalk and rope fence and continue to investigate how the habitat conditions of the creatures in the Creature Plaza change.

New ways to use

Starting January 20, 2026 (Tuesday), the usage of the "Animal Plaza" will be changed to only be open during program sessions.

We ask for your understanding so that the children participating in the program can freely use the open space to explore various creatures.

And please do join us for "Let's Play at the Animal Plaza," which is held on the second and fourth Sundays of every month.

(January 16, 2026)