Long-awaited renovation! TakiTown 's zoo "Gokatsuraike Animal Park" to open on June 29, 2024

GokatsuraLake One of the tourist hubs in TakiTown, located on the banks of the river "Gokatsura Pond Hometown Village" It is full of attractions such as gourmet food, shopping, accommodation, and recreational experiences. "Gokatura Pond" However, the one that was popular with people of all ages and genders was "Gokatura Pond Animal Park" Predecessor of "Flower and Animal Interaction Square" is.

Thirty years have passed since the zoo opened. Due to the aging of the facilities and other reasons, the zoo has been closed since April 2023 for renovation work, but it will finally reopen on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

The concept of the newly reborn Animal Park is "One Health - the health of people, animals, and the ecosystem is one." It will develop as a place where people can learn about the coexistence of people and animals, and will also take on various local issues that only a zoo can tackle, so we're looking forward to seeing what happens after it opens!

If you've been there before the renovation, you'll be amazed the moment you step inside!

​Beautiful greenery spreads across the entire park, and a sloped deck has been completed in the center of the site. Goats are freely roaming around the deck in the "Mebe Zone." It is said that having a breeding space of this size just for goats is rare, even in Japan.

Originally there 13 heads The animals were very active, so the director came up with an idea to make the most of their appeal by displaying them in a way that would allow them to move around freely. Vivid animal behavior from high above The view of the new "Gokatura Pond Animal Park" This is the main attraction.

Now, "Gokatura Pond Animal Park" As soon as you pass through the entrance gate, you will be greeted by Giant salamander, capybara, ring-tailed lemur, caracal, prairie dog, meerkat There are "No One Zone" is.

​The giant salamander, a special natural monument that inhabits Mie Prefecture, is the world's largest amphibian and is called a "living fossil" because its appearance has remained almost unchanged since 3,000 years ago.

The two, who were moved from the NabariCity Local History Museum, showed us how to move slowly in the water. As a zoo lover, it was my first time to see a moving giant salamander, and I was impressed!

​Wallabies, a member of the kangaroo family that live in Australia, are apparently only kept at this zoo in Mie Prefecture.

There are four​ ​Bennett's wallabies, which are large among wallabies.

The room temperature was adjusted to 28°C. "Exciting Room" The building, named after the zoo, is inhabited by people who live in hot regions such as Africa. Snake or Lizard, tortoise etc. reptiles are kept here.

The third largest tortoise in the world, the African spurred tortoise shown in the photo, is exhibited outdoors if the weather is good. Den-chan, the larger of the two, is said to weigh between 70 and 80 kg.

At this time, it was feeding time. We could observe the cute animals eating komatsuna, carrots, and apples up close. After the zoo opens, you can also experience feeding komatsuna to the African spurred tortoises. There are also other animal interaction events planned!

alpaca and Sheep Noir "Fluffy zone".

Brown alpaca of Ista Kun is very friendly and will come over to you if you look at him. On this day, Petting He even let me do that. Too cute! However, they may spit as a threatening behavior if something displeases them or they feel threatened, so please treat them gently.

The reason for the shearing is that alpacas living on the plateau don't like the heat and the hair will continue to grow if it isn't cut. The head area is delicate, so it's adorable that the fluffy hair remains!

It seems that you can bring food and drinks into the park.

You can also pick up takeaway lunch boxes, sweets, drinks, etc. at Gokatsuraike Furusato Village and enjoy yourself by spreading out a picnic blanket.

Next to the Mokomoko Zone, there is a playground where small children can have fun, and a covered rest area. You can also spend some time here relaxing.

Gokatsuraike Animal Park

Address: 992 Gokei, Taki-cho TakiTown
Telephone number: 0598-67-5973
Opening hours: 10:00-16:30
Closed on Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday)
Access: 10 minutes by car from the Sewataki Interchange on the Ise Expressway
Parking: 400 spaces available in the Gokatsuraike Furusato Village area
Admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 900 yen
Children (ages 4 to elementary school): 500 yen
* TakiTown get a 100 yen discount
Up to 3 years old: Free
Disability discount (for those with disability certificates): half price
Group discount: 50 yen off (20 or more people)

"Gokatsura Pond Hometown Village" of "Marche Grandma" for, Delicious food There are many things lined up here. You can get lunch, snacks, and souvenirs here.

And what I'm eating is Local Pizza of "Taki Pizza" from "Melty Japanese-style pizza with Ise potato tororo" TakiTown 's specialty "Ise too." The delicious combination of melted cheese and Japanese-Western cuisine is a perfect match! You can enjoy local dishes such as set meals, curry, and udon. "Marche Grandma Kitchen" in Cool lunch time It's nice to spend time!