Suzaka Zoo

Suzaka Zoo is an animal facility in Garyū Park where visitors can walk through landscaped grounds to observe creatures from different parts of the world. The zoo is organized into sections housing various species, each designed to give the animals space to move while allowing visitors to watch and learn from multiple viewpoints.

The facility opened in 1962 and became an educational resource for the Nagano area. Since its creation, it has served as a place where local communities and visitors could learn about animal life from around the world.

The zoo functions as a gathering place where visitors of all ages can observe animals living in settings that resemble their natural habitats. Families and school groups come to spend time together in an outdoor space designed around viewing and learning about creatures from different parts of the world.

The zoo is easy to navigate with pathways suitable for most visitors, and it is possible to spend several hours walking through the grounds. Bring comfortable walking shoes and prepare for sun exposure or rain depending on the season, as most of the space is outdoors.

The grounds include a small museum displaying preserved animal specimens that once lived at the zoo, providing insight into the facility's past residents. A restored steam locomotive also sits on the property, creating an unexpected addition that visitors often discover while exploring the park.