Kagoshima
Hirakawa Zoological Park
Humboldt Penguin
At a glance
| Address | 5669-1 Hirakawa-cho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima 891-0133 |
|---|---|
| Getting there | About 60 minutes by Kagoshima Kotsu bus route 2 bound for Dobutsuen from Kagoshima Station or Suizokukan-mae (via Tenmonkan and Taniyama Station, hourly); get off at the last stop From JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, about 25 minutes on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line to Goino Station, then about a 20-minute walk By car, about 15 minutes from Taniyama IC on the Ibusuki Skyline or about 35 minutes from Kagoshima-Chuo Station. Parking available (¥400 per car) |
| Hours | 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30; some animals go off view before 16:00) |
| Closed | Dec 29 – Jan 1 |
| Admission | Adult (high school and older) ¥1,000 Elementary and junior high school student ¥200 Prices for visitors from outside Kagoshima City; city residents pay ¥750 / ¥150 with proof of address. Free for preschool children |
| Official site | hirakawazoo.jp |
| Information checked on | October 23, 2026 |
Penguins you can see
-
フンボルトペンギン Spheniscus humboldti
IUCN: VU (Vulnerable)
- Where
- Humboldt Penguin Exhibit
Parade and feeding times
| Parade and feeding times | When / where | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin Walk | Daily from May 30 to Nov 29, 2026 at 14:30 (about 10 min), from the Humboldt penguin exhibit toward the raccoon exhibit. May end early from November depending on avian flu; cancelled in bad weather or depending on the birds | Free (admission only) |
Highlights
- In the daily Penguin Walk the Humboldt penguins leave their exhibit and stroll along the path right in front of visitors (through Nov 29 in 2026)
- As a temperate species, the Humboldt penguins are on view outdoors all year in Kagoshima's warm climate
- A 31-hectare zoo with about 130 species and 900 animals, including an African savanna zone and foot baths looking out over Sakurajima and Kinko Bay
Nearby places
FAQ
- How many penguin species are at Hirakawa Zoological Park?
- 1 species: Humboldt Penguin.
- How much is admission to Hirakawa Zoological Park?
- Adult (high school and older) ¥1,000, Elementary and junior high school student ¥200 (as of October 23, 2026).
- Is there a penguin parade or feeding time at Hirakawa Zoological Park?
- Yes: Penguin Walk. Times can change from day to day, so check the official schedule.
- How do I get to Hirakawa Zoological Park?
- About 60 minutes by Kagoshima Kotsu bus route 2 bound for Dobutsuen from Kagoshima Station or Suizokukan-mae (via Tenmonkan and Taniyama Station, hourly); get off at the last stop, From JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, about 25 minutes on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line to Goino Station, then about a 20-minute walk, By car, about 15 minutes from Taniyama IC on the Ibusuki Skyline or about 35 minutes from Kagoshima-Chuo Station. Parking available (¥400 per car).
Sources
We checked the official pages below on October 23, 2026. Please confirm the latest details on the official site.