Experimental Zoo “iZoo” Admission Ticket in Shizuoka

iZoo makes reptiles the main event, not distant shapes behind glass. You might take a photo beside a large python, feed a tortoise, or watch a crocodile close enough to command your attention. At KawaZoo, the sister attraction, the focus shifts to frogs, with more than 120 species.

I like two things about this ticket: you can see animals up close, with touch permitted only where staff allow it, and the two-site admission gives you a different kind of animal encounter at each park. KawaZoo’s mostly indoor exhibits also make it a useful option on a rainy day.

The main catch is the distance between the parks. They are about 11 km apart, and transport is not included, so visiting both takes some planning. iZoo also has many steps and stairs, a detail worth weighing if you use a wheelchair or stroller.

What to know before you go

• Look for permitted animal encounters: Tortoise feeding, turtle races, and photos with a large python are among the experiences on offer.
• Expect two distinct parks: iZoo focuses on reptiles and amphibians; KawaZoo is a frog museum with more than 120 species.
• Plan your own transfer: The sites are about 18 minutes apart by car, and no transport is included.
• Keep your phone online: You need to open your Klook voucher on a device with internet access and show it to staff.
• Use the ticket across two days: Once validated, the common ticket is good for two days, with one entry to each facility per day.
• Check the terrain and rules: iZoo has many steps, and animal contact is allowed only with staff permission or a Touch OK sign.

iZoo puts you close to the reptiles

At iZoo, in Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula, the point is to experience reptiles and amphibians at close range. Instead of simply looking through glass, you may encounter tortoises walking through the building, see a large crocodile nearby, or spot a chameleon among the exhibits. The park describes itself as a subtropical-jungle-style setting, though the animals, rather than elaborate scenery, are the main draw.

The chance to interact is what gives iZoo its particular appeal. Depending on what is available on the day, you can feed a tortoise, watch a turtle race, or pose for a photo with a large python. Do not assume every activity is included in the admission price or running at every visit. Ask staff what is available, and follow their instructions before touching an animal.

That close-up approach may suit you if conventional zoos feel too passive. It can also be a lot if reptiles make you uneasy. The best way to handle that is to take the visit at your own pace: you can look from a comfortable distance and decide whether to join an activity when you see how it works.

There is a practical safety point here. Even animals that seem calm can bite, and the park asks you not to touch anything unless a Touch OK sign is displayed or staff give permission. Wash your hands after contact, do not chase or tease animals, and avoid tapping on enclosures. These are simple rules, but they matter in a place built around close encounters.

Tortoises, turtles, and a memorable crocodile

The most appealing detail at iZoo may be the way the animals can turn up at your feet. Tortoises may walk through the building, making the visit feel less like a row of exhibits and more like a shared space. Keep an eye on where you step, and give the animals room to move.

Feeding a tortoise offers a small, hands-on activity that can work well for families and curious adults alike. Turtle races add a lighter moment to a visit otherwise full of unfamiliar species. You do not need to be a reptile expert to enjoy either one, though the animals themselves are the real attraction.

The large crocodile is another highlight to look for. Its size and proximity can make a stronger impression than a long list of species names. If you are uneasy around reptiles, you may find this encounter more intense than the tortoises, so there is no need to rush toward it.

A visit in wet weather can still work. There are indoor exhibits at iZoo, and one visitor who went during rain found enough inside to enjoy the visit, including tortoises in the building and a memorable crocodile. Rain did limit access to outdoor exhibits, so do not expect every area to feel the same in poor weather.

KawaZoo adds a frog-focused second stop

KawaZoo, in the Nashimoto area of Kawazu, changes the subject from reptiles to frogs. It has more than 120 species and around 2,000 frogs, ranging from familiar types to rare ones. If you enjoy noticing patterns, colors, and differences between species, this is a good counterpoint to iZoo’s larger animals and hands-on activities.

The exhibits are designed to show frogs in settings where their natural colors and behavior can be observed. Some enclosures are outdoors, while about 90 percent of the facility is indoors. That makes KawaZoo a sensible addition on a rainy day, though the outdoor areas are still weather dependent.

KawaZoo is not a quick add-on next door. It is roughly 11 km from iZoo, about an 18-minute drive, and you need to arrange transport between the two sites yourself. You can visit the parks in either order; staff provide the common admission ticket at whichever one you enter first.

The two facilities suit different moods. iZoo is the more active stop if you want to see large reptiles and try permitted animal encounters. KawaZoo offers a quieter, more focused look at frogs. If you are especially interested in one of those groups, you can prioritize that park and treat the other as a bonus rather than trying to race through both.

How much time to allow

The experience is listed as taking two to four hours. That gives you a useful starting point, but the total time depends on whether you visit one park or both, how long you stay at exhibits, and how you get between the sites. Since the parks are apart, allow for the transfer in addition to time inside each one.

You can visit iZoo and KawaZoo on separate days after the ticket is validated. The ticket allows one entry to each facility per day and is valid for two days. This flexibility can make the combined ticket more useful than squeezing both stops into one tight schedule, especially if you are travelling by car or want time to explore the animal exhibits at a relaxed pace.

KawaZoo is open from 10:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. Hours can change, so check the official park information before setting out. The supplied hours do not specify iZoo’s opening schedule, so check that separately if you plan to visit close to opening or closing time.

Getting there and handling the ticket

iZoo is at 406-2 Hama, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka. It is about a five-minute taxi ride from Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko Line, or you can reach it by car. KawaZoo is at 377-1 Nashimoto, also in Kawazu. The ticket does not include transport, meals, drinks, or personal expenses.

The ticket is an online voucher, not a paper pass you can simply show from an email without preparation. Log in to the Klook app or website, open My Bookings, and select See voucher. Your phone needs internet access to load the voucher, so check your connection before reaching the ticket counter.

At the first park, show the voucher to staff and exchange it for a physical common admission ticket. Do not try to operate or validate the ticket yourself. If it is marked used before staff process it, it will no longer be valid. You must exchange it before the last admission time on the date selected for the booking.

Advance purchase does not give you priority entry. At busy times, you may still need to queue and exchange the voucher for a regular admission ticket. Children aged five and under enter free; adult admission applies from age 13, and the child category covers ages six through 12.

Is the combined ticket good value?

The advertised price starts at $14.50, with a 10 percent discount offered through Klook. The useful question is not only the ticket price, but whether you will make time for both parks. A common ticket covers iZoo and KawaZoo, and its two-day validity gives you room to split the visit rather than treating the second park as a rushed extra.

The value is strongest if you like animals and plan to visit both sites. You get a very different focus at each: close encounters with reptiles at iZoo, then a broad range of frogs at KawaZoo. If you only want one park, or if arranging transport between them would be a burden, compare your plans with the cost and convenience of visiting a single site.

Keep extra costs in mind. Transport, food, and drinks are not included. Parking rules also depend on the date: iZoo parking is scheduled to become paid from July 15, 2025, while KawaZoo parking is scheduled to become paid from March 1, 2026. Check current details before driving.

Who should book iZoo and KawaZoo?

I would consider this ticket for families with animal-curious children, reptile fans, and anyone looking for something more hands-on than a standard zoo visit. The animal encounters can make the experience memorable, while KawaZoo adds variety for people who want more than one kind of exhibit.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a fully guided tour or does not want to plan local transport. No guide is included in the information provided, and the two parks are not within walking distance of each other. The stairs at iZoo may also make access difficult for some visitors, so check with the facilities directly if you need specific accessibility details.

Book it if close-up animal encounters sound fun and you can arrange the transfer between parks. If the crocodile is the only draw, or you have limited time, focus your plans around iZoo and treat KawaZoo as an optional second stop.

FAQ

Does the ticket include both iZoo and KawaZoo?

Yes. The common admission ticket includes entry to iZoo and KawaZoo.

Can I visit the parks in either order?

Yes. There is no required order. You receive the common admission ticket at the first facility you visit.

How long is the ticket valid?

After it is validated, the ticket is valid for two days. Each facility allows one entry per day.

How far apart are iZoo and KawaZoo?

They are about 11 km apart, or roughly an 18-minute drive. You need to arrange your own transport.

How do I get to iZoo from Kawazu Station?

iZoo is about a five-minute taxi ride from Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko Line. It is also accessible by car.

What are KawaZoo’s opening hours?

KawaZoo is open from 10:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. Hours may change, so check before you go.

Do children need a ticket?

Children aged zero to five can enter free. The child ticket category is for ages six to 12, and adult admission starts at age 13.

Can I touch or feed the animals?

Some animal encounters, including tortoise feeding, are available. Touch animals only when a Touch OK sign is displayed or staff give permission, and follow their instructions.

What do I need to show at the entrance?

Open the voucher in the Klook app or website and show it on your phone to staff. Your device needs internet access, and staff must process the voucher and exchange it for a physical ticket.