Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, Tropical garden and zoo in Atagawa Onsen, Japan.
The Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden is a botanical garden and zoo in Higashiizu, Japan, housing reptiles and tropical plants in heated greenhouses. The facility displays 16 different alligator species, numerous water lilies, and over 20 banana varieties across several climate-controlled sections.
The facility opened in September 1958 and was among the first in Japan to use natural hot springs for growing tropical plants. Operators later expanded to include reptiles and began breeding rare alligator species from different continents.
The facility channels hot spring water from the surrounding area to heat the greenhouses and create a tropical climate. Visitors can observe how this natural heating system allows exotic plants to thrive throughout the year.
The location sits about two hours by train from Tokyo and works well as a day trip. Fruit parlors let guests sample freshly harvested bananas and watch feeding sessions with the animals.
The facility houses the only Western red panda in Japan, living in a separate enclosure. The manatee area features Amazon manatees with pale belly patches rarely seen in the wild.
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