Kobe Animal Kingdom Ticket Prices 2026: Discounts & Review
Discover Kobe Animal Kingdom! Get an insider's look at exciting animal encounters, learn about ticket prices, and find out how to score discount set tickets for your 2026 visit.
Loading...
Discover Kobe Animal Kingdom! Get an insider's look at exciting animal encounters, learn about ticket prices, and find out how to score discount set tickets for your 2026 visit.
Today, I'm excited to share my review of a spot highly sought after by families with kids in Kobe —
the Kobe Animal Kingdom!
Not only can you see animals up close, but there are also tons of hands-on activities like feeding and riding camels and horses,
making it a fantastic place for families with children.
Roughly 70% of the entire park is indoors,
so it's a great spot to explore even on a rainy day.
In this post, I'll cover these topics in order:
1. My personal review of Kobe Animal Kingdom
2. Kobe Animal Kingdom Admission Prices
3. Comparing individual tickets and set packages
4. Where to buy set packages
Let's dive in!
Visiting Kobe Animal Kingdom
Operating Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Please note that closing days may vary by season, so check the official website before your visit.
If you take the Port Liner from Sannomiya Station,
it takes about 14 minutes to Keisan Kagaku Center Station,
and Kobe Animal Kingdom is right outside the station.
Those purchasing tickets on-site should line up on the right,
while those who have already prepared their tickets can queue on the left.
After entering and passing the information desk,
you'll find a QR code available to check the Animal Kingdom map and program schedule.
While Korean wasn't supported,
navigating with the map wasn't too difficult.
Inside the Animal Kingdom,
coin lockers are available: small ones for 300 JPY and large ones for 500 JPY.
For larger luggage that doesn't fit in the lockers,
you can store them for a fee at the North and South ticket counters,
so it's perfectly fine to visit with a suitcase.
Paid stroller rentals, nursing rooms,
and diaper changing stations are also provided,
making it convenient for visiting with young children.
We decided to start our tour in the nocturnal animal zone,
which is close to the entrance,
and then explore the park
counter-clockwise.
The first animal we encountered was an owl.
Its expression while sitting still was so serious,
I wondered if it was angry, haha!
Next, we moved on to see the Shoebill.
After passing a small pond and heading inside,
you'll find the area where the Shoebill resides.
At first, it didn't move at all, so I thought it was a statue,
but after waiting for about 5 minutes, it slowly started to stir.
Its large size and unique appearance
gave it a powerful presence even when standing still.
My absolute favorite animal was the Red Panda.
Instead of just seeing them from afar behind a fence,
we could watch them move around right in front of us,
If you're lucky, you can even see them eating up close.
Next up, we met the majestic tiger.
It was hard to believe they're part of the cat family,
with such an intimidating presence from their face to their overall aura.
Nearby, we also spotted a puma dozing off.
Its expression was so similar to my boyfriend's usual face that
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched it for a while.
We also encountered a family of beavers huddled together, enjoying a rest.
I couldn't tell if they were just fluffy or a bit plump,
but their round, huddled forms were absolutely adorable.
Outdoor Experience Zone
As you follow the path,
you'll discover an outdoor experience zone where you can ride camels, horses, and ponies.
During my visit, the experience times were:
Camel Riding from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM,
Horse and Pony Riding from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Operating hours can vary depending on the day of your visit,
so if you're keen to try an experience, I recommend checking the daily schedule via the QR code
upon entry before heading over.
One of the things I loved about Kobe Animal Kingdom was
the opportunity to participate in feeding experiences throughout the park.
Most of these experiences are paid,
but the feed usually costs around 100 yen, so it wasn't a big burden.
Instead of just watching the animals,
you get to feed them directly and see them up close, which makes it
a fantastic place to visit with kids.
Next, we met the adorable capybaras.
I'd only seen these animals in videos before,
but seeing them in person, their relaxed expressions and movements were exactly the same, haha!
When I held out the food, they approached first and
charmingly took it right from my hand.
In one area, there were even capybaras soaking their bodies in the water,
enjoying a half-bath.
As we walked through the outdoor area, we noticed locals lining up,
so we decided to join the queue ourselves.
Turns out, it was the line for the penguin feeding experience!
For the penguin feeding, you don't just jump in line;
you first need to tell a staff member that you want to participate and
receive a participant's necklace.
Only those with a necklace can join the queue and
take part in the feeding experience.
When I visited, it was limited to about 20 groups at a time,
so if you're really eager to try it, it's a good idea to go early.
Before the experience, we sanitized our hands and
received the penguin food from a staff member before moving into position.
Knowing it was feeding time,
the penguins flocked to the front, continuously flapping their wings.
Since a lot of water splashes,
it's a good idea to be careful not to get your clothes or camera wet.
Dining Area
After exploring all the outdoor areas,
we moved to the indoor dining area for lunch.
In front of the restaurants, there was ample seating available,
so it wasn't hard to find a spot when we visited.
Before visiting, I looked up some reviews, and
many people mentioned that the burgers were a decent choice,
so we decided to go for burgers too.
We were able to order right away without any waiting.
I chose the beef burger set,
and my boyfriend opted for the fish burger set.
For a quick meal inside the animal kingdom,
it wasn't a bad option.
Next to the dining area, there's also a souvenir shop.
With a variety of merchandise like animal plushies and magnets,
perfect as travel souvenirs,
it was nice to browse through after our meal.
Tropical Forest
After fueling up with our meal,
we moved on to explore the remaining areas.
The Tropical Forest, connected to the dining area,
is an indoor section where you can see a variety of animals that live in tropical regions.
Here's a bush dog that I kept watching for a long time
because it looked just like my dog at home!
Just moments before, it was sound asleep,
but as soon as the food appeared, its eyes instantly changed.
Even its sudden change in demeanor when food was around
was exactly like my dogs at home, haha!
Hanging from a branch,
completely motionless, was a sloth.
It was so still, I honestly thought it was sleeping!
This animal, looking like a mix between a deer and a rabbit,
is a Patagonian mara.
You could also do a feeding experience here,
so it was especially popular with children.
Up close, there was also a giant tortoise
that was quite sizable.
It was adorable to see it slowly but diligently walking around.
Above our heads, there was a path made of wood,
and an anteater was roaming around on its own.
Its long snout and unique tail made it stand out
and easily noticeable even from a distance.
There was even a warning to be careful when passing underneath,
as you never knew when it might decide to pee!
Birds were also freely roaming around on the path.
It was fascinating to see them naturally avoid people, but
since there are many areas where animals can move freely,
it's a good idea to watch your step and look around carefully as you move.
The meerkat stared at me as if asking, 'What are you looking at?'
It looked like it was guarding the house all by itself,
and I felt a bit sorry for it, like it was working so hard haha.
I also got to try the guinea pig feeding experience!
I think I spent about 1,000 yen in total just on feeding experiences
at Kobe Animal Kingdom haha.
But seeing them come close and happily gobble up the food,
it was really hard to just walk by without participating.
Up close, the pelican's mouth was truly massive!
Watching it open its huge beak,
I totally understood why people say pelicans can fit anything in their mouths haha.
You could feed the ducks too!
This duck especially stood out in my memory because it came right up to me,
acting cute as if asking for food.
Exploring firsthand, I found you could get up close to the animals
and there were so many diverse activities – it was definitely enough to spend half a day there.
For those planning a visit,
I'll also break down the admission ticket prices and how to buy package tickets.
Kobe Animal Kingdom Admission Tickets
As of April 1, 2026, the admission fees for adults and seniors
at Kobe Animal Kingdom have increased.
Category | Price |
Adult (Junior high school age and older) | 2,400 yen |
Senior (65 years old and over) | 1,900 yen |
Elementary school student | 1,200 yen |
Infant (4-5 years old) | 500 yen |
Comparing Kobe Animal Kingdom Tickets
Kobe Animal Kingdom offers individual admission tickets and
special package tickets that include a round-trip Port Liner ticket.
Purchase Method | Includes | Price (Adult fare) |
Individual Admission Ticket | Animal Kingdom Admission Ticket | 2,400 yen |
Sannomiya Package Ticket | Admission＋Port Liner Round-trip Ticket | 2,400 yen |
Kobe Airport Package Ticket | Admission＋Port Liner Round-trip Ticket | 2,400 yen |
Both individual admission tickets and package tickets cost the same
for adults, at 2,400 yen.
However, the package tickets include a round-trip Port Liner fare
of 580 yen, meaning you can save 580 yen per person
compared to buying them separately.
Departing from Sannomiya Station → Sannomiya Package Ticket
Departing from Kobe Airport Station → Kobe Airport Package Ticket
Using a transport pass, taxi, or rental car → Online Individual Admission Ticket
If you have a transport pass or
are traveling by taxi or rental car,
you can purchase an individual admission ticket online.
If you want to avoid waiting in line for tickets at the venue,
check out platform coupons and cancellation policies,
and prepare in advance.
Where to Buy Package Tickets
If you're departing from Sannomiya,
you can buy package tickets at the Port Liner Sannomiya Station 2nd-floor Information counter.
If you're heading directly to Animal Kingdom from Kobe Airport,
you can also purchase tickets at the Kobe Airport Station ticket gates.
The elementary student package ticket is 1,200 yen and
includes the Animal Kingdom admission ticket and a round-trip Port Liner ticket for children.
For infants (4-5 years old and preschoolers aged 6),
Port Liner fares are free, so
package tickets are not sold separately.
If you're departing from Sannomiya Station,
you can purchase just the Animal Kingdom infant admission ticket separately
at the Family Mart next to the information counter.
Wrapping Up
Kobe Animal Kingdom isn't just a place where you observe animals from afar,
but you can directly feed them and observe them up close,
making it seem perfect for a visit with kids.
Most feeding experiences cost around ~$1, so the cost wasn't a burden,
and there are also programs with limited capacity, like penguin feeding,
so I recommend checking the timetable with a QR code right after you enter.
With restaurants, souvenir shops, and coin lockers available,
you can comfortably explore even if you have a suitcase or lots of kids' belongings.
If you plan to use the Port Liner for a round trip, a set ticket is a good option,
or if you don't need a transport pass, go for an individual online admission ticket.
You can choose based on your travel itinerary.
If you're looking for places to visit with kids in Kobe,
or tourist attractions with a variety of feeding experiences,
it might be a great idea to add Kobe Animal Kingdom to your travel plan.
Both the individual adult admission ticket for Kobe Animal Kingdom and the set ticket, which includes a round-trip Portliner ticket, are 2,400 yen. By purchasing the set ticket, you save 580 yen per person, as it includes the 580 yen round-trip Portliner fare, compared to buying them separately.
Infants (4-5 years old) ride the Portliner for free, so a separate set ticket is not available for them. If you are departing from Sannomiya Station, you can purchase only the infant admission ticket for Kobe Animal Kingdom (500 yen) at FamilyMart next to the information desk.
During our visit, the camel riding experience was available from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The horse/pony riding experience was available from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Operating hours may vary depending on the day of your visit, so it's best to check the daily timetable via the QR code after admission.
Kobe Animal Kingdom has coin lockers available: small ones for 300 yen and large ones for 500 yen. Large luggage or suitcases that do not fit into the coin lockers can be stored for a fee at the north and south ticket counters.
Taking the Portliner from Sannomiya Station to Keisan Kagaku Center Station takes approximately 14 minutes. Kobe Animal Kingdom is located right next to Keisan Kagaku Center Station.
Unlock a quick journey from Kansai Airport to Kobe! This 2026 guide details how to take the convenient Bay Shuttle ferry, offering a fast, scenic route to explore Kobe's charms.
Don't miss out on last-minute souvenirs! Explore Kobe Airport's Terminal 2 duty-free shops for unique Kobe-exclusive chocolates, delicious cookies, and popular Japanese snacks.
Traveling to Kobe? Discover the easiest way to get around using contactless Visa/Mastercards on the Portliner and subway. Plus, savvy tips for kids' fares and seamless transfers to Osaka!
Searching for the ideal family hotel in Kobe? Candeo Hotel Kobe Tor Road offers spacious rooms, an incredible rooftop onsen, and unbeatable access to Kobe's best sights. Read our full review!
Discover Okatora Sannomiya in Kobe for an unforgettable Wagyu yakiniku experience. Perfect for families, with private rooms, easy English ordering, and delicious cuts of Kobe beef. A must-visit for your 2026 Japan trip!
Discover New Muenchen Hafen Burg, a fantastic restaurant in Kobe's Mosaic Mall offering delicious food and spectacular night views of Kobe Harborland. Perfect for your 2026 visit!
Review of a Twin Room at Hotel Okura Kobe with a Panoramic Night View
Kobe Night View Harborland Ferris Wheel Review: Tickets, Price, and Booking