When was the last time you went to the zoo?
When was the last time you visited a zoo? Many people might say it’s been since they were kids.
For this drive date, I took my partner to Tama Zoological Park. It’s about an hour's drive from the city center, offering a nice feeling of escaping the urban environment.
Because the park is so spacious, there are several parking lots, and if you arrive before noon, you can usually park without much trouble. Not having to scramble upon arrival is a big plus for a drive date.
I used to shy away from zoo dates because they felt a bit cliché. But once you’re there, it’s actually really fun! On weekends, the park is lively with many families, and their energy is contagious, making you feel uplifted and happy too.
Plus, you’ll never run out of things to talk about. "What do you think this elephant is thinking about?" "It has the face of someone who wants lunch right now." It’s a setting that naturally sparks that kind of casual conversation.
An adult's guide to enjoying the zoo!
As you head toward the entrance, you see the elephant monument, and you start to feel the excitement of being at the zoo again! Tama Zoological Park is filled with so much nature and open scenery that you’ll forget you’re still in Tokyo. The park is incredibly huge! The distance you walk is so long that it’s more like a hike than a casual stroll. But because of that, there are plenty of changing views, so you never get bored while moving between areas.
There’s plenty to do, from a bus tour where you can see lions up close to corners where you can interact with small animals. Before you know it, you’ve walked much longer than you anticipated. When you’re tired of walking, just grab a quick snack from a food truck and take a break. You don’t have to see everything to feel satisfied. And for all this, the entrance fee is only 600 yen for adults. It’s very family-friendly and quite affordable. A solid half-day of walking and seeing the animals for this price is a great value.
When I was a kid, I just looked at the animals, but observing them again as an adult, I find myself curious about their movements, their personal space, and their very ecology. We found ourselves stopping to stare at the size of the giraffes, being captivated by the colors of the flamingos, and watching the koalas that were actually just sleeping the whole time. No wonder the conversation between the two of us flowed so well!
The zoo date isn't over until you're home
On weekends, Tama Zoological Park is packed with families. To make your way around smoothly, you need a little bit of "escorting." Watching the flow of people and choosing where to stop—these little moments surprisingly bring out a nice, romantic date atmosphere!
After finishing our walk through the park, we headed back to the car. After all that walking, you naturally feel relaxed in the car. "The elephant we saw earlier was in the same spot the whole time, wasn't it?" "I was surprised the lion was so much closer than I thought." Having that "zoo talk" continue on the drive home is a unique perk of a zoo date. It's also fun to pick a favorite animal and talk about it together.
Next weekend, why not be bold and suggest to your partner, "Let’s go to the zoo"?
text: Hiromichi Honda
