Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park Ticket

Japan’s only African bush elephant lives at Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park, but the close-up view of lions and Amur tigers through glass may be the zoo’s most arresting encounter. The park is home to about 130 animal species, with an emphasis on learning through sight, sound, and other senses.

I like two things here: the chance to see powerful carnivores at close range, and the low starting price of US$3.25 for admission. Just keep the calendar in front of you. The zoo is closed on Thursdays, and a visitor who bought a Thursday ticket could not enter.

At a glance

• Japan’s only African bush elephant: A distinctive reason to make the trip, especially if you want to see an animal not found at other Japanese zoos.
• Lions and Amur tigers behind glass: The viewing area brings you close to these carnivores while keeping a barrier between you and them.
• Around 130 species: There is more to see than the headline animals, though the available details do not name the other species or map a route.
• A low-cost admission ticket: Prices start at US$3.25. Transport, an audio guide, parking, and personal expenses are extra.
• A Thursday closure to plan around: Listed opening days include Monday through Wednesday, weekends, and Japanese holidays. Check the zoo’s current schedule before setting out.
• A flexible 30-day ticket window: The voucher is valid for 30 days from booking confirmation, but it expires at 4:30 p.m. on the last day.

What the Asa Zoo visit offers

Asa Zoo’s main draw is a mix of unusual wildlife and close viewing. The park describes an experience built around all five senses, so you can expect the animals themselves to be the focus rather than a guided presentation. The ticket covers admission only. There is no audio guide, and no guide or fixed itinerary is included.

The African bush elephant is a particularly specific reason to consider this zoo. It is described as the only one of its kind in Japan, a detail that gives the visit a distinct local angle. If elephants are a priority for you, that rarity may matter more than simply adding another zoo to a Hiroshima itinerary.

The carnivore area offers a different sort of encounter. You can view lions and Amur tigers through glass, which makes close observation possible while maintaining a barrier. The setting may let you see details of the animals at close range, though no guaranteed activity or feeding time is specified.

Beyond those headline animals, the zoo is home to about 130 species. That number suggests variety, but the available information does not list the full collection or say how the exhibits are arranged. I would arrive with a short list of must-sees, then leave room to explore rather than expecting a set sequence.

How to plan your time

The stated duration is 40 minutes. Treat that as the supplied activity duration, not a promise that every visit will take exactly 40 minutes. The zoo’s size, your pace, and how long you spend watching particular animals will affect your day, and no detailed route or visit length is provided.

If you have only a short window in Hiroshima, the listed duration may make this look like a quick stop. But getting to the park takes time: the bus journey from Hiroshima Bus Center is about 50 minutes, while the Astram Line and connecting bus take about 40 minutes in total. Travel time can therefore be as significant as the listed activity duration.

For a more relaxed outing, allow extra time beyond the stated 40 minutes for the journey, entry, and time with the animals. That is a practical planning suggestion, not a published visit requirement. If you are building a day around Asa Zoo, check the opening schedule first and confirm transport details before leaving.

The ticket does not shorten waiting time. In other words, buying in advance does not promise a faster entry line. On arrival, you must present the electronic ticket screen at the individual admission ticket sales window.

Picking the right day

The listed schedule says the zoo is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, weekends, and Japanese holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Thursday is the regular day off. However, Friday is not included in that list. Because the schedule as supplied does not settle whether Friday is open, check the zoo’s current official hours before choosing that day.

This is not a minor detail. A visitor who bought a ticket for Thursday found the zoo closed and could not go. The ticket is non-refundable, so a simple calendar check can protect both your budget and your plans.

Hours and closure dates may change. The listed unavailable dates are December 29, 2026, through January 1, 2027. Severe weather may also lead to suspended operations; the operator says it cannot compensate visitors for travel expenses in that situation.

The voucher is valid for 30 days from booking confirmation and expires at 4:30 p.m. on the final day. That gives you some flexibility to choose a suitable date after booking, but it does not override the zoo’s closure schedule. Make sure your planned visit falls within both the voucher period and an open day.

Getting to the park

Asa Zoo is outside central Hiroshima, so travel is part of the outing. From Hiroshima Bus Center, take the bus from platform 7 bound for Asahigaoka Zoo. The journey is about 50 minutes.

Another option is the Astram Line from Kencho-mae station toward Koiki-koen, also known as Hiroshima Big Arch. Get off at Kamiyasu station and transfer to a bus bound for Asahigaoka Zoo Park. The full trip is about 40 minutes. From JR Hiroshima Station, transfer at Shin-Hakushima Station to use the Astram Line or bus; the journey takes about 45 minutes.

By car, the park is about 40 minutes from central Hiroshima via Route 54, also called Gion Shin-do, along the Astram Line and through Kamiaso. The stated drive from Hiroshima Kita IC, Hiroshima IC, Itsukaichi IC, or Numata PA Smart IC is about 20 minutes.

Parking is on site and does not require a reservation. Mini, standard, and semi-medium small vehicles cost ¥450. The lot has about 1,200 spaces. Semi-medium large, medium, and large vehicles cost ¥1,400, with prior notification required. Parking is not included in the admission ticket.

Transport is also not included. Factor the bus or train fare, or the separate parking charge, into your cost comparison. The entry price is low, but the outing is not just the price of the ticket if you are traveling from central Hiroshima.

What the ticket costs, and who may pay less

The admission ticket starts at US$3.25, making it a modestly priced animal attraction. Its value depends on how much you want to see the elephant and carnivores, how much time you have, and the added cost of reaching the park. If you already plan to travel to this part of Hiroshima, the admission price is easier to justify than if you are making a long trip solely for a brief visit.

Some visitors may qualify for free admission or a reduced fee. Children are charged the child fare until March 31 after they turn 18. Admission is free every Saturday except during summer, winter, and spring holidays, and on public holidays. The zoo advises checking its website for the specific free-entry dates.

People aged 65 or older must show official proof of age, such as a My Number card or driver’s license, to receive the applicable rate. International students should bring a student ID or certificate of enrollment from their institution and present it.

The zoo also waives admission for people with certain certificates or documents, including an Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate, disability certificates, and a War Wounded/Sick Person’s Handbook. One attendant may also enter free when assistance is needed. Holders of specified medical expense recipient certificates, including those for designated intractable diseases or pediatric chronic specific diseases, and their caregivers are also included in the listed waiver rules.

If you may qualify, check the requirements before purchasing. The information says eligible people should present their documentation at the ticket window on the day of the visit. Buying a standard ticket without checking could mean paying when you were entitled to an exemption.

The practical limits to keep in mind

The ticket is admission only. You will need to arrange your own transport, and there is no audio guide included. If you prefer a narrated visit or want help choosing a route, that support is not part of this product.

The 40-minute duration is another point to treat with care. It may be enough for a focused look at a few animals, but the information does not promise a specific route or establish how long you should stay. If you hope to see many of the roughly 130 species, plan for extra time rather than relying on that short duration alone.

The biggest risk is buying for a closed day. The Thursday closure is explicit, while Friday is missing from the stated schedule, so confirm Friday directly rather than guessing. The non-refundable ticket makes checking hours especially worthwhile.

Finally, severe weather can interrupt operations. Since transport costs are not covered if the park suspends operations, keep an eye on conditions and check for an announcement before setting out.

Should you book the Asa Zoo ticket?

Book if you are interested in seeing Japan’s only African bush elephant, want close views of lions and Amur tigers, and are comfortable arranging your own transport. At a starting price of US$3.25, admission itself is inexpensive, and the collection of about 130 species gives you more than a single-animal stop.

Think twice if your Hiroshima schedule is tight, you need a guided visit, or you have not confirmed the opening day. The commute can take 40 to 50 minutes from central Hiroshima, the ticket includes no transport, and Thursday is a regular closure. Check the schedule, confirm any reduced or waived admission you may qualify for, and then decide if the animals are worth the trip for you.

FAQ

How much does admission to Asa Zoo cost?

The admission ticket starts at US$3.25. The exact price may vary by ticket or eligibility, and some people may qualify for free or reduced admission.

How long is the experience?

The stated duration is 40 minutes. Your visit and travel time may take longer.

Which days is the zoo open?

The listed schedule gives Monday through Wednesday, weekends, and Japanese holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday is the regular day off. Friday is not specified in that schedule, so check current hours before visiting.

What are the zoo’s opening hours?

The listed hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Hours may change, so check the latest information before you go.

How long is the ticket valid?

The voucher is valid for 30 days from booking confirmation and expires at 4:30 p.m. on the last day.

Does the ticket include transport?

No. Transport is not included. You can travel by bus, Astram Line with a connecting bus, or car.

Is parking included?

No. On-site parking costs ¥450 for mini, standard, and semi-medium small vehicles. Larger listed vehicle classes cost ¥1,400 and require prior notification.

Is an audio guide included?

No. The audio guide is not included.

Can children enter for free?

The listed child fare applies until March 31 after a child turns 18. Admission is free every Saturday except during summer, winter, and spring holidays, and on public holidays. Check the zoo’s website for specific free-entry dates.

Can I get a refund if I cannot go?

No. The ticket cannot be cancelled or refunded. Check the opening schedule before you buy, especially because the zoo is closed on Thursdays.