Safari Parks in Japan: Drive-Through Animal Adventures

Meet lions, giraffes and bears from a car or a mesh-covered jungle bus, and learn how to plan a relaxed safari day with little ones.

Published October 26, 2026 at 11:10 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan has several drive-through safari parks where visitors see animals roaming in large zones from their own car or a mesh-covered bus. Fuji Safari Park in Shizuoka, at the foot of Mount Fuji, is described as the country's largest, and the Kyushu African Safari in Oita is another well-known example. Tokyo's Tama Zoological Park offers a smaller lion bus. Hours, fares and rules vary, so confirm them on official sites.

Few outings thrill children quite like watching a lion stroll past the window. Japan has a long tradition of safari-style parks, and several are practical day trips for families. Some let you drive your own car through animal zones, while others provide special buses with steel mesh instead of glass. This guide explains how Japanese safari parks work, which ones are well known, what a visit with a toddler looks like and how to prepare so the day stays comfortable and calm.

What a safari park is

A safari park, sometimes called a wildlife park, is a type of zoo where visitors travel through large enclosures in a car or park vehicle to see animals moving more freely. Many also include a walk-around area for smaller or more delicate animals, plus cafes, toilets and play spaces.

Japan has a place in the story. Reference sources note that Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo hosted the first lion drive-through in 1963, where visitors toured an enclosure in specially built buses. Japanese safari parks then grew in the 1970s and 1980s, including Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari in Oita, Gunma Safari Park in Tomioka and Fuji Safari Park in Susono. Parks open, change and close over time, so check that a park is operating before planning.

Fuji Safari Park in Shizuoka

Fuji Safari Park sits in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Fuji, about 850 meters above sea level. Visitor guides describe it as the largest safari park in Japan, with more than 50 species of animals, and on clear days Mount Fuji is visible from many areas.

The safari zone is large enough that the course takes about 50 to 60 minutes. The park offers several ways to see it. You can drive your own car, ride a Jungle Bus, ride a Super Jungle Bus or join a Navigation Car with a tablet that provides animal information. A walking safari lets visitors go along the fence at their own pace, and there is also a petting area with smaller animals.

The Jungle Bus has steel mesh in place of glass windows, and the Super Jungle Bus adds a mesh ceiling, so animals such as lions and bears can come close. Visitors can feed certain animals using food sold by the park, and it is important to follow staff instructions and signs about what is allowed.

Kyushu African Safari in Oita

Kyushu African Safari, in the hills of Oita Prefecture a short drive west of Beppu, opened in the 1970s and remains one of Japan's best-known safari parks. Visitors can drive through the grounds or ride a Jungle Bus, a large caged vehicle that lets passengers feed animals.

Older travel reports describe each passenger receiving a food tray on the bus, with animals accepting only their usual food and carnivores fed from long-handled tongs. The same reports note that herbivores and carnivores are kept in separate areas behind double gates and that the park is popular with children. Policies for very young passengers, fares and feeding rules may have changed, so confirm them on the official site.

Oita pairs naturally with Beppu's hot springs, which makes this a good option for families building a Kyushu itinerary.

Tama Zoological Park: a Tokyo lion bus

For travelers who do not want a long trip from Tokyo, Tama Zoological Park in Hino is an option. The zoo opened in 1958 as a branch of Ueno Zoo and covers about 52 hectares of hills in western Tokyo. The zoo's station, Tama-Dobutsukoen, is on the Keio Line and the Tama Toshi Monorail, and the zoo gate is right in front of it.

The Lion Bus carries visitors close to the lions in the African zone for a small extra fee, though the schedule and price have changed over the years. Beyond the bus, the zoo has Asian, African and Australian zones and an insectarium. Hills are a real feature, so a stroller or baby carrier is useful, and plenty of picnic tables make packed lunches easy.

Admission is modest compared with large safari parks, and elementary school children and younger have been listed as free. Closing days include Wednesdays, so check the calendar before you go.

Planning a day with a toddler

Safari parks are well suited to toddlers because the animals are visible from a seat and little legs do not have to walk far. Even so, preparation helps. Many parks begin in the morning, and animals are often more active when it is cooler, so an early start can mean a calmer day.

Pack snacks, drinks, a sun hat or a light layer, and a change of clothes. Bring a small toy for the car or bus between animal zones, and consider a travel stroller for the petting and cafe areas. Keep hands and feet inside vehicles, follow signage about windows and avoid feeding animals anything not sold by the park.

Plan nap time into the schedule. Some families time the longest bus ride for a toddler's usual rest, while others save the petting zone for the end of the day. A flexible plan beats a perfect one.

Cars, buses and car seats

Driving your own car through a safari zone is allowed at some parks, and Fuji Safari Park describes a my-car option where visitors enter at their own risk. Rules vary, so read signs carefully. If you are using a rental car, ask the rental company whether safari park use is permitted.

Japan has requirements for child seats in cars, so families should arrange proper seats when renting a car or booking a taxi. A separate guide on car seats in Japan covers the rules in more detail. Public transport can also work, as Fuji Safari Park is reached by local bus from Gotemba Station, a ride of roughly 35 minutes in visitor guides.

Bus tickets, special bus reservations and navigation car bookings are sold separately at some parks, so look for online reservation options on busy days.

Costs, hours and what to check

Admission to a major safari park is usually a few thousand yen for adults, with lower prices for children and free entry for the youngest. Fuji Safari Park lists free entry for children aged 3 and under. Bus and special vehicle fares are often extra, and prices change, so rely on the official page rather than older articles.

Hours depend on the season, with shorter days in winter. Fuji Safari Park lists daytime hours of about 9:00 to 16:30, with seasonal variation. Last entry is often well before closing, so arrive early.

Weather can affect operations, and animals may stay indoors in very cold or very hot conditions. Visiting on a mild day improves your chances of seeing active animals.

A calm and joyful finish

Japanese safari parks combine adventure with good organization. Whether you choose Fuji Safari Park, Kyushu African Safari or the Lion Bus at Tama Zoological Park, the experience gives young children a thrilling view of animals and gives parents a way to enjoy the day without long walks.

Check official sites for current hours, fares and rules, bring snacks and keep plans flexible. A relaxed schedule is the best ticket to a good day.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japan With a Toddler is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest safari park in Japan?

Fuji Safari Park in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, is described in visitor guides as the largest safari park in Japan. It lies at the foot of Mount Fuji and offers drive-your-own-car safari, jungle buses with steel mesh, a navigation car, a walking safari and a petting area. Confirm current details on the official site.

Can you drive your own car through a safari park in Japan?

At some parks, yes. Fuji Safari Park offers a my-car safari where visitors enter at their own risk, and Kyushu African Safari has been reported to allow driving through the grounds. Rules vary, so read signs, follow staff instructions and ask your rental company whether safari use is permitted.

Are Japanese safari parks suitable for toddlers?

Yes, they can be. Vehicles let toddlers watch animals from a seat, and parks often have petting areas and cafes. Fuji Safari Park lists free entry for children aged 3 and under. Bring snacks, a stroller and a flexible plan, and follow the park's safety rules.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Theme Parks in Japan With Toddlers: Planning Around Little Legs, Car Seats in Japan: Child Seat Law, Taxis and Rental Cars and Renting a Car in Japan: What Visitors Should Know.