Experimental Zoo “iZoo” Admission Ticket in Shizuoka

At iZoo, the tortoises may stroll across the floor near your feet, while a crocodile waits nearby. This is not a look-from-behind-glass kind of zoo: you can get close to reptiles and amphibians, and some animals may be touched when staff allow it.

I like two things about this visit: the chance to feed tortoises or pose with a python makes the animals feel less remote, and the shared ticket adds KawaZoo’s collection of more than 120 frog species. The indoor displays at both parks also make this a useful plan when the weather turns wet.

The main catch is that iZoo and KawaZoo are about 11 km apart, with no transport included. You will need to arrange a car or other ride, and the ticket’s value depends on having enough time to visit both.

What to know before you go

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• Get close to reptiles at iZoo: Look for tortoise feeding, a possible turtle race, and photo opportunities with a large python.
• Add KawaZoo’s frog collection: The sister park has more than 120 frog species and around 2,000 frogs.
• Keep a rainy-day plan: KawaZoo is mostly indoors, and iZoo also has indoor exhibits.
• Allow for the distance: The parks are an 18-minute drive apart, and transport is up to you.
• Use the ticket across two days: After validation, it is valid for two days, with one entry to each facility per day.
• Prepare your mobile voucher: It must be opened online and exchanged at the ticket counter for a physical ticket.

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iZoo: close encounters, with rules

iZoo is in Kawazu, in Shizuoka’s Izu region, and is billed as Japan’s largest reptile and amphibian zoo. Its appeal is the way it brings you nearer to animals that are often seen only through glass. You may find a giant tortoise passing underfoot, a chameleon tucked among the greenery, or a large crocodile nearby.

That closeness is exciting, but it is not a free-for-all. Touch an animal only when a Touch OK sign or staff member permits it, and follow instructions closely. Animals can bite, so keep hands to yourself unless the zoo says otherwise. Wash your hands well after any permitted contact.

Some of iZoo’s most memorable activities are simple ones. You might feed a tortoise, pose for a commemorative photo with a large python, or watch a turtle race. These encounters offer a playful way to learn about the animals, especially for children who might otherwise hurry past a reptile exhibit.

The experience also has a slightly wild feel. Tortoises may walk around the building, and the crocodile can make a strong impression even from a safe distance. A rainy-day visit can still be worthwhile: indoor exhibits remain available, although outdoor areas may be harder to enjoy in poor weather.

There are trade-offs to the hands-on format. Not every animal can be touched, and an animal encounter is never guaranteed on demand. The zoo’s rules protect both people and animals, so you should treat each activity as an opportunity, not a promise.

iZoo has many steps and stairs. If you use a wheelchair or stroller, take that into account before making it the centrepiece of your day. Busy periods may also mean a line, since an advance ticket does not provide priority entry.

KawaZoo: a second stop for frogs

KawaZoo, in the Nashimoto area of Kawazu, is iZoo’s sister facility and focuses on frogs. It houses more than 120 species and about 2,000 animals, from familiar frogs to rare ones. For anyone curious about amphibians, it adds a different kind of close-up encounter to the day.

The park’s setting is designed to show frogs in varied conditions. Some outdoor enclosures let you observe natural behavior and coloration through the seasons. At the same time, about 90 percent of the facility is indoors, which makes KawaZoo a practical stop in rainy weather.

A frog museum is a more focused visit than a general zoo, and that focus is part of its value. You can take time to look for differences in color and form instead of rushing from one large animal to the next. If frogs are not your main interest, it may feel like a shorter or more specialized stop than iZoo.

The two parks do not need to be visited in a set order. You can start at either facility, where staff will exchange your voucher for a common admission ticket. The ticket is valid for two days after validation, with one entry to each park per day, so you do not have to cram both into a single outing.

Planning the route between the parks

iZoo is at 406-2 Hama, while KawaZoo is at 377-1 Nashimoto. They are around 11 km apart, an 18-minute drive in ordinary conditions. The ticket includes admission to both facilities, but not transport, meals, or drinks, so plan how you will make the connection before setting out.

iZoo is about a five-minute taxi ride from Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko Line. It is also accessible by car. The information provided does not specify a public transport connection between iZoo and KawaZoo, so do not assume you can simply walk from one park to the other.

If you have a car, the shared ticket is easier to use as a two-stop day. If you do not, check your transport options for both addresses before booking, and leave time for the transfer. The two-day validity gives you room to split the parks across separate days, but it does not provide a ride between them.

Opening hours can affect your plan. KawaZoo is listed as open from 10:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. Hours may change without notice, and the supplied details do not give iZoo’s opening hours, so check the official iZoo and KawaZoo information before you go.

How to make the ticket work for you

The ticket is an online voucher, not a pass you can simply show as a screenshot. Sign in to the Klook app or website, open My bookings, and select See voucher. Your phone needs internet access to display the URL certificate, and staff must operate the ticket when you exchange it.

At the first park, present the voucher at the ticket counter and exchange it for the physical common admission ticket before that facility’s last admission time on your selected date. Do not try to activate the ticket yourself. If it shows as used before staff process it, it is no longer valid.

The voucher is date-specific, even though the validated ticket can be used over two days. That distinction matters: choose the correct booking date, then use the second day for the other facility if needed. The two-day validity does not mean you can enter either park more than once per day.

The ticket is offered from $14.50, with a 10 percent discount promoted through Klook. Prices can vary, so check the amount for your date before booking. The value is strongest if you plan to visit both parks: you get access to iZoo’s reptile encounters and KawaZoo’s specialist frog collection on one shared ticket. If you visit only one, compare the cost with that facility’s standalone admission before deciding.

Children aged 0 to 5 can enter free, while the child ticket category is for ages 6 to 12 and adult admission starts at 13. Meals and drinks are not included, and outside food and beverages are not allowed inside. Smoking is prohibited throughout the zoo areas, including the parking area, though a designated smoking spot is available.

Parking rules can change. iZoo parking became paid from July 15, 2025, and KawaZoo parking is listed as becoming paid from March 1, 2026. Confirm the current arrangement if you are driving, since the two facilities have different dates in the supplied information.

Who will get the most from this visit

Families with children who like animals may find iZoo especially engaging. Feeding a tortoise or seeing one walk around the building gives children something concrete to watch, while the python photo and turtle race add a bit of occasion. Young children enter free, but adults should still supervise closely and make sure everyone follows the staff’s rules.

It also suits adults who are curious about reptiles and amphibians, or who want a break from more conventional sightseeing in Izu. The experience is unusual without requiring a full day at one site. If you enjoy animal encounters but prefer not to touch anything, you can still look around, though the hands-on element is a large part of iZoo’s appeal.

A rainy forecast does not automatically spoil the plan. The indoor displays at iZoo and the mostly indoor KawaZoo exhibits make the pair more weather-resistant than a fully outdoor attraction. Still, rain can limit time in outdoor enclosures, so consider using the wettest part of the day for the indoor exhibits.

This is less suitable if you are uncomfortable around reptiles, need a step-free route, or cannot arrange transport between the parks. iZoo’s stairs are worth noting for mobility needs, and the transfer is a real part of the logistics, not a minor walk between nearby buildings.

Should you book iZoo and KawaZoo?

Book the shared ticket if you want an unusual animal experience and can make the trip between both parks. iZoo’s tortoises, crocodile, python photo opportunity, and possible feeding activity give the visit its lively edge; KawaZoo adds a serious collection of frogs and a useful indoor option.

The package is less compelling if you only want a quick stop or have no practical way to get between the two addresses. Check opening hours, parking, and transport before you commit, then use the two-day validity to avoid rushing. For a curious family or an animal-minded visitor in Izu, it is a distinctive outing with more to it than a standard zoo walk.

FAQ

How long should I allow for iZoo and KawaZoo?

The suggested visit duration is 2 to 4 hours. The time you need depends on how long you spend at each facility and how you arrange the 11 km transfer between them.

Does the ticket include admission to both parks?

Yes. The iZoo and KawaZoo common admission ticket includes entry to both facilities.

Can I visit the two parks on different days?

Yes. After the ticket is validated, it is good for two days. Each facility allows one entry per day.

How do I get from iZoo to KawaZoo?

The parks are about 11 km apart, or an 18-minute drive. Transport is not included, so you need to arrange your own way between them.

What are KawaZoo’s opening hours?

KawaZoo is listed as open from 10:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. Hours may change, so check official information before your visit.

Do I need internet access to use the voucher?

Yes. You need to open the voucher on your phone through the Klook app or website, and the URL certificate requires internet access. Staff will exchange it for a physical ticket.

Can children enter free?

Children aged 0 to 5 can enter free of charge. The child admission category is for ages 6 to 12, and adult admission begins at age 13.