Inokashira Park Zoo
will be extending its opening hours by three hours this autumn to host "A Little Outing: Enjoy the Long Autumn Nights at the Park Zoo."
This year, in addition to guided animal tours unique to the nighttime, there will be plenty of events for everyone to enjoy at their leisure, including concerts by guest artists and illuminated sculptures! Enjoy the extraordinary atmosphere of an autumn night.
A little outing: Poster for the Nature and Culture Park on a long autumn night
basic information
Days when the park hours will be extended, extended hours
November 8th (Sat) and 9th (Sun), 2025 (2 days)The park will extend its opening hours until 8 PM each day (last entry at 7 PM).
Notice regarding entry and exit times due to extended opening hours
You can enter and exit the zoo through any of the following gates: Main Gate, the Benten Gate, or the Nanai Gate of the aquatic life park.
The park is open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and the park closes at 8:00 PM.
*You can only move between the zoo and the aquatic animal park until 7 PM.
Location of entrance and exit gates
Closing times for major facilities during the period
| ~16:30 | (Zoo) Squirrel Trail |
| ~17:00 | (Zoo) Wild Boar, wild bird forest (excluding birds of prey), Copper Pheasant enclosure, Japanese bird enclosure, squirrel breeding facility, lawn area, animal plaza (wooden walkway), swing area
(Aquatic Life Garden) Waterside paths, birds (excluding the heron enclosure) |
| ~7:30 PM | (Zoo) Capybara, porcupines, Goat, sheep, badgers, museum, studio, Sculpture Museum A and B |
| ~7:45 PM | (Zoo) Elephant enclosure (panel display)
(Aquatic Life Garden) Aquatic Life House |
|
*Animals other than those listed above will generally be on display until around 8 PM, but this may change due to the animals' health management.
Restaurant and gift shop operations
Komorebi (the shop) will extend its operating hours and will be selling limited-edition original stickers featuring the event poster as a motif. In addition, a special stall selling hot drinks and food will open in the plaza in front of Main Gate.
[Food & Gift Shop Komorebi (Plaza in Main Gate entrance of the zoo)]
Opening hours Gift corner: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Food corner: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM
* Hanako Cafe (near the elephant enclosure) will not be open during the extended hours.
[Special shop (plaza in front of Main Gate of the zoo)]
Opening hours 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
*Business hours may be changed or operations may be suspended due to weather conditions.
Event schedule for Saturday, November 8th
(Download PDF here)
Event schedule for Sunday, November 9th
(Download PDF here)
Special Programs ~Events at the Zoo and Aquatic Animal Park~
1. animal keeper Guide to Animals - Night Edition
Focusing on nocturnal animals, zookeepers will discuss the unique behaviors of animals at night. Details regarding the start time and location will be announced at a later date.
Date and Time: November 8th (Sat) and 9th (Sun), 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (approximately 10 minutes each)
Location: In front of each animal enclosure
animal keeper Guide to Animals - Night Edition
2. Ask animal keeper questions.
Let's ask animal keeper about unique observation points for the animals at night. Details such as the start time and location will be announced later.
Date and Time: November 8th (Sat) and 9th (Sun), 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (approximately 30 minutes each)
Location: In front of each animal enclosure
3. Nighttime animal exploration
Animal Guide will show you what the animals living in the zoo are like at night.
Date and Time: November 8th (Sat) and 9th (Sun), 2025, 5:00 PM (approximately 20 minutes)Meeting
Place: In front of Rhesus Monkey at the main zoo.
4. Handbell performance: "Bell Concert in Nocturnal House"
This is a handbell concert by university students. Please enjoy the pure and gentle sounds in the atmosphere of an autumn evening.
Date and time: Saturday, November 8, 2025, 18:30-19:10
Location: In front of the Komorebi shop at the main zoo (In case of rain: Sculpture Museum Building B)
Performers: Rikkyo Gakuin All Saints' Chapel Handbell Choir
Rikkyo Gakuin All Saints' Chapel Handbell Choir
[Rikkyo Gakuin All Saints' Chapel Handbell Choir Profile]Founded in 1990 through the wishes of graduates of Meiji Gakuin and Rikkyo Jogakuin, and with the cooperation of the then-chaplain and president of Rikkyo University, it is an officially recognized club belonging to the Rikkyo University Chapel and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
The group's activities center around worship services in the chapel on the Ikebukuro campus, including three concerts per year, on-campus events such as the illumination lighting ceremony and the entrance ceremony, and off-campus activities in various locations such as commercial facilities and kindergartens. World-renowned handbell player Yasuko Otsubo serves as an external instructor.
Special Program ~Sculpture Garden Event~
We will be holding concerts and illuminating outdoor sculptures. Please enjoy the magical atmosphere, which is different from that of the daytime.
1. A gentle time on a long autumn night: A concert that connects hearts
"Who knew that song? It sounds like this?!" Enjoy a delightful piano performance inside Sculpture Museum B.
Date and time: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 17:30-18:30
Location: Zoo (Main Park) Sculpture Museum Building B
Keiko Kato
will be appearing.
Keiko Kato
[Keiko Kato's Profile]A jazz pianist from Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture.
After graduating from Kunitachi College of Music, she has been based in Tokyo and performing throughout Japan. She is active in a wide range of genres, including solo concerts, collaborations with other instruments, and supporting singers.
He also plays piano on TV music programs, including those on NHK.
In 2018, "Biwako Towa," a song written and composed by the sisters, was selected as the next-generation song of Lake Biwa.
She has been appointed as a local ambassador for Moriyama City and is currently promoting the appeal of music.
2. Let's play the piano at Sculpture Museum.
A street piano will be installed inside Sculpture Museum B, where anyone can play it freely.
Date and time: Saturday, November 8, 2025, 13:00-16:00
Location: Zoo (Main Park) Sculpture Museum Building B
3. Sculpture Guide: "Let's enjoy the sculpture garden at night!"
We will introduce the sculptures in an atmosphere that is different from that of daytime.
Date and Time: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 6:45 PM (approximately 20 minutes)Meeting
Place: In front of the entrance to the Atelier Building in the Sculpture Garden at the main zoo.
4. Sculpture Garden Curator → animal keeper Relay Talk: "A Night Full of Bats! —From the Picture Book 'Bat' to Stories and Observations—"
Special exhibition currently being held in Sculpture Museum B
Art and the Zoo vol.9 "Akiko Ayai Picture Book 'The Bat' Original Artwork Exhibition" In connection with this, the curator of the sculpture garden and the head of the bat care and exhibition department, who has extensive experience in raising bats, will talk about the picture book "The Bat" and the charm of bats as living creatures.
Date and time: Saturday, November 8, 2025, 17:00-18:15
place Zoo (Main Park) Sculpture Museum Building B → Large Bat Enclosure
schedule17:00 onwards (approximately 20 minutes) by the curator
Mini gallery talk at the "Bat" picture book original artwork exhibition (Sculpture Museum B)
17:20 onwards (approximately 30 minutes) by animal keeper
Bat Talk (Sculpture Museum Building B)
move
18:00 onwards (approximately 15 minutes): Observation and Q&A session Orii Flying Fox (fox enclosure)
*You can participate from anywhere.
*Times may vary.
 |  |
| Part of the original artwork exhibition | Orii Flying Fox |
Requests and Precautions for All Visitors
*Animal exhibits and events may be canceled or changed depending on the animals' condition, weather, etc.
*Some areas will be inaccessible after the animals' exhibit hours have ended.
*Please refrain from using flash photography on animals.
* Do not point flashlights or other lights at animals; use them only to illuminate the ground around your feet.
*Photography of sculptures inside Sculpture Museum is not permitted.
*There is no parking available at Inokashira Park Zoo. Please use nearby parking facilities or public transportation.
(September 25, 2025)
(November 3, 2025: Added location for "Bell Concert in Nocturnal House" and added "Bat-filled Night!")
(November 5, 2025: Added schedules for both days)
