Tennoji Zoo — Historic 1915 Urban Zoo

Tennoji Zoo (天王寺動物園) opened in 1915 as Japan's third zoo, housing 1,000+ animals from 180+ species on 11 hectares. The zoo's compact urban location provides accessible wildlife viewing — African savanna exhibit, polar bear habitat, Japanese wildlife section, and reptile house. The zoo balances historic infrastructure (some aging enclosures from mid-20th century) with modern habitat improvements.

The zoo is popular with local families for its affordable pricing (¥500 adults) and central location adjacent to Tennoji Park. The combination of traditional Japanese zoo design and recent renovations creates a nostalgic yet functional experience.