Izu Shaboten Zoo Guide: Capybara Onsen, Animals & Visitor Tips

What Is Izu Shaboten Zoo

Izu Shaboten Zoo (伊豆シャボテン動物公園) is a unique facility on the eastern Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture that combines a zoo, a cactus park, and the birthplace of Japan's famous capybara hot spring bathing tradition. According to the official site, the zoo spans approximately 200,000 square meters in the foothills of Mount Omuro, a designated natural treasure.

The name "shaboten" (シャボテン) means cactus in Japanese — the facility started as a cactus park in 1959 before expanding to include animals. Today it houses over 140 species of animals alongside one of the world's largest cactus collections, but the star attraction is unquestionably the capybara onsen: a winter tradition that started here and has since spread to zoos across Japan.

For broader wildlife experiences in the region, see our Shizuoka wildlife guide.

Capybara Onsen: The Main Attraction

The Daily Bathing Schedule

Izu Shaboten Zoo started keeping capybaras in 1966 and began the capybara open-air bath tradition in winter 1982, according to the official site. The story goes that zookeepers noticed the capybaras gathering around warm water during cold weather — and the tradition of giving them their own outdoor hot bath was born.

During the winter capybara onsen season (approximately late November through early April), the baths run twice daily:

• Morning session: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Afternoon session: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

The capybaras soak in heated outdoor pools while visitors watch from the surrounding viewing area. The animals are genuinely relaxed — eyes half-closed, whiskers twitching — and the scene is as charming as the photos suggest. The viewing is included in general admission; no extra ticket is required.

For other capybara onsen locations across Japan, see our dedicated guide. Izu Shaboten is the original and remains the most well-known.

Yuzu Bath and Special Winter Events

According to regional event listings, the annual Capybara Yuzu Bath (カピバラのゆず湯) has been held since 1996 — now celebrating roughly 30 years of tradition. Around the winter solstice (late December to early January), the capybaras bathe in water infused with yuzu citrus fruits. In Japanese tradition, taking a yuzu bath on the winter solstice is believed to prevent colds — a custom dating to the Edo period. The capybara version is a playful celebration of this tradition.

The 2025-2026 Yuzu Bath event ran from December 20 to January 12. A special Seven-Herb Bath (七草湯, nanakusa-yu) was held on January 7. These events use the same bath schedule as the regular capybara onsen sessions.

Beyond the Capybaras: Animals, Boats, and Cactus

Animal Island Boat Tour

The zoo features a boat tour through animal islands — small lake islands where primates, llamas, tapirs, and other animals live in semi-open habitats. You ride a small boat past the islands while a guide explains each species. According to TripAdvisor visitors, this is one of the zoo's most recommended experiences after the capybara bath.

The capybaras themselves are also accessible for petting and feeding in their enclosure outside of bath times. Multiple reviewers note that the resident capybara family is accustomed to human interaction and comfortable being touched.

Cactus Greenhouses and Cactus Picking

The zoo's cactus collection is the other half of its identity. Greenhouses hold roughly 1,500 species of cacti and succulents from around the world. According to the official site, Izu Shaboten Zoo is the only place in Japan where you can experience cactus picking — choosing a small cactus to take home as a souvenir.

The greenhouses provide a warm refuge on cold winter days, making them a practical stop between outdoor animal viewing sessions.

Admission, Hours, and Seasonal Details

According to the Izu Shaboten Zoo official site:

| | Weekday | Weekend / Holiday | |---|---------|--------------------|| | Adults (junior high+) | ¥2,700 (~$18) | ¥2,800 (~$19) | | Elementary school | ¥1,300 (~$9) | ¥1,400 (~$9) | | Children (4+) | ¥700 (~$5) | ¥700 (~$5) |

Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Hours may vary by season.

Capybara onsen viewing, the boat tour, and cactus greenhouses are all included in general admission. No additional tickets are needed for these experiences.

Some TripAdvisor reviewers have noted that discounted tickets were available at the Izu-Kogen Station information counter, though this was last confirmed in 2016 and may no longer apply. Check with the station staff on arrival.

Getting to Izu Shaboten Zoo

The zoo is located at 1085-4 Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

By train and bus: Take the Izu Kyuko Line to Izu-Kogen Station (伊豆高原駅). From there, the Tokai Bus takes approximately 20 minutes to the zoo. A taxi from Izu-Kogen Station takes about 10 minutes. From Ito Station, buses take approximately 35 minutes.

By car: On-site parking is available. Driving gives you the most flexibility, especially in winter when bus frequency decreases. Many visitors on TripAdvisor recommend renting a car if visiting from Tokyo.

From Tokyo: Take the JR Tokaido Line or Shinkansen to Atami, then transfer to the Ito Line/Izu Kyuko Line to Izu-Kogen Station. Total train time is approximately 2-2.5 hours depending on connections.

From	Route	Time
Tokyo	Shinkansen to Atami → Izu Kyuko to Izu-Kogen → Bus/Taxi	~2.5-3 hours total
Izu-Kogen Station	Bus	~20 min
Ito Station	Bus	~35 min

Tips for Your Visit

• Arrive before 10:30 AM to catch the morning capybara bath session. The afternoon session (1:30 PM) is an alternative, but mornings are less crowded.
• Allow 2.5-3.5 hours for a full visit covering capybaras, the boat tour, animal encounters, and cactus greenhouses.
• Bring warm layers in winter. You will be standing outdoors watching the capybara bath. The Izu Peninsula is milder than Tokyo, but January-February mornings are still cold.
• Check bus schedules in advance. Tokai Bus runs less frequently during winter off-season. Download the schedule or screenshot it before arriving.
• The price is justified for a full visit. At ¥2,700-2,800, the zoo is not cheap for Japan. Most reviewers note the admission feels fair if you spend 3+ hours and do the boat tour, but expensive for a quick capybara-only visit.
• Combine with Mount Omuro. The zoo is at the base of Mount Omuro, which has a ropeway to a 360-degree viewpoint. The two make a natural half-day pairing.