Review: Peach Aviation

When our Japanese holiday itinerary started to look like needing to start in Osaka instead of Tokyo there were a few Low-Cost-Carrier options open to us.  We ended up on a Peach Aviation A320 and couldn’t have been happier. Continue reading Review: Peach Aviation

Visiting: Wakayama Castle

During our trip to Japan we used Wakayama as an overnight stopover on the rail journey from Shirahama to Osaka.  Since our hotel was a mere 800m away taking the time to visit Wakayama Castle had to happen.

The castle has a long history, having been first built in 1585 and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt numerous times through the years since.  The most recent rebuild was in 1958 after it was destroyed by bombing in WWII.

Continue reading Visiting: Wakayama Castle

All About JaPandas – Where to find Pandas in Japan – Kobe

By now I’m sure every reader is familiar with my love for the Giant Panda.  So with a trip to Japan coming up it’s only natural that I seek out the Pandas of Japan or JaPandas (I’m pretty sure that’ll stick as a name).

Can’t get to Kobe?  There’s Pandas at Tokyo and Shirahama too!

Pandas in Kobe/Osaka

If you’re heading for Japan you may find yourself in the Kobe/Osaka region with some spare time.  Why not add some Black and White Panda love?

Kobe is home to the Oji Zoo.  While most attractions in Japan have English language options on their websites I’ve yet to find one.  Instead I’ve relied upon www.ryuusenkaku.jp for English details.

The Oji Zoo is one of three large zoos in the Kansai area. The total area is more than 80,000 square meters with 850 animals from a total of 150 different species on the premises, including rarely seen animals such as giant panda, koala, golden snub-nosed monkey, Amur tiger, and snow-leopard among others. Some of the most popular attractions are the pandas Koko and Tantan, and the female elephant Suwako, born in 1943, making it the oldest living elephant in Japan.

Obi Park is located a 3-minute walk to the west of the “Prince Park” station or 5-minute walk to the north of JR “Nada” station the address is: Yubinbango 657-0838 Kobe, Hyogo Nada-ku, prince-cho, 3-1

 

The Zoo hours are; 9:00 to 16:30 from March to October and 9:00 to 16:00 from November to February.  The Zoo is Closed on Wednesdays.

Tickets are 600 yen per adult.