Zoorasia, Yokohama Municipal Zoo

Connecting kids to global wildlife can be tough if your local zoo only showcases a handful of species. Zoorasia, Yokohama’s large municipal zoo, offers both on-site exhibits and online information organized by ecological zones that make it easier to study Asian and worldwide habitats. Run by the city with a strong conservation mission, Zoorasia highlights rare and endangered species alongside educational signage and programs that emphasize ecosystem connections. We love using its animal profiles and habitat maps as jumping-off points for geography, biology, and cultural studies, whether or not a Japan visit is in the cards. It’s especially engaging for upper-elementary and middle school learners who can compare local animals with those from different climates and regions. As with any in-person zoo experience, travel and admission add up, and some online materials are only in Japanese, but the educational focus makes it a worthwhile stop for traveling families and a rich virtual resource for others. Pro tip: pick one biome (like tropical rainforest or grassland) and have kids compare Zoorasia’s residents with animals from a nearby zoo or nature documentary.