Izu Shaboten Zoo's Original Capybara Outdoor Bath is back, running from November 21, 2026 (Saturday) through April 4, 2027 (Sunday) as the zoo's beloved winter tradition in Izu.
The Original Capybara Outdoor Bath began in the winter of 1982
A familiar winter tradition in Izu
During the event, the capybaras soak in the outdoor bath once a day at 1:30 PM on weekdays. On Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and during winter and spring school breaks, they bathe twice a day, at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Original Capybara Outdoor Bath Schedule
Weekdays: once a day
- 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Weekends, holidays, December 22 (Tue) to January 11 (Mon, holiday), and March 23 (Tue) to April 4 (Sun): twice a day
- 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
The capybaras may stay in the bath for up to an hour after entering, so visiting later, once the initial crowds have thinned, can make for a more relaxed viewing experience.
The season kicks off with the capybaras' grass cutting
After the grass cutting, a special Oniyuzu Bath
On opening day, November 21, 2026 (Saturday), staff dressed as bathhouse attendants will greet visitors at 10:30 AM for "Bath Opening! Capybara Grass Cutting," in which the capybaras chew through a long braid of fresh grass in place of a ribbon-cutting to mark the start of the new season. Over the following three-day weekend, the bath will feature an "Oniyuzu Bath" floated with large yuzu citrus. From then on, weekends, holidays, and winter and spring breaks will bring a rotating lineup of specialty baths featuring maple leaves, roses, apples, vegetables, and more.
November 21, 2026 (Saturday), 10:30 AM: Original Capybara Outdoor Bath Opening
- Staff dressed as bathhouse attendants will greet visitors
- "Bath Opening! Capybara Grass Cutting": the capybaras chew through a long braid of fresh grass in place of a ribbon-cutting, marking the start of the new season
- The specialty bath from November 21 (Sat) through the three-day weekend will be the "Oniyuzu Bath"
*Event details and schedule are subject to change due to the animals' condition or weather.
The Capybara Yuzu Bath marks its 30th anniversary this season
The Capybara Yuzu Bath's 20th anniversary in 2016
The Capybara Yuzu Bath's 10th anniversary in 2006
This 2026-2027 season, the Capybara Yuzu Bath, a fixture around the winter solstice, marks its 30th anniversary. Following the traditional Japanese custom that bathing in yuzu on the winter solstice wards off colds, the event began in 1996, the Year of the Rat, and has since become widely known even outside Japan.
Capybara Yuzu Bath
Dates: December 22, 2026 (Tuesday), the winter solstice, through January 11, 2027 (Monday, holiday)
*On January 7, 2027 (Thursday), a "Nanakusa Bath" will be held instead
During the Capybara Yuzu Bath, the bath takes place twice a day: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
This event, now marking its 30th anniversary, began in 1996, the Year of the Rat, as a winter solstice tradition. Visitors can enjoy the yuzu's bright yellow color and fragrance.
*Event details and schedule are subject to change due to the animals' condition or weather.
This year marks 60 years since the zoo began keeping capybaras
In addition, 2026 marks 60 years since Izu Shaboten Zoo began keeping capybaras. During this milestone "Capybara Year" at the zoo, enjoy watching the capybaras relax contentedly in the bath this winter.
About Capybaras
English name: Capybara
Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Classification: Order Rodentia, family Caviidae
Distribution: Bushes and forests near water on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains in South America
Capybaras are the largest rodents, growing to 100 to 130 cm in length and up to 50 kg in weight. They live in herds of 20 to 30 near water and are strong swimmers and divers, with small webbing between the toes on their limbs, sparse coarse fur, and almost no tail. They are herbivores, and at the zoo they are fed cabbage, sweet potato, carrots, apples, fresh grass, hay, and solid feed formulated for herbivores.
Izu Shaboten Zoo official website: https://izushaboten.com/
