September 19 (Saturday) this year is International Red Panda Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness for the conservation of the endangered red panda. Nihondaira Zoo in Shizuoka City, which plays a central role in managing red panda breeding across Japan, will hold a special program called "International Red Panda Day 2026" starting September 8 (Tuesday). The program offers a range of activities that share the ecology of red pandas and the importance of their conservation.
This year also brings Silver Week, a rare five-day holiday running September 19 to 23 that hasn't come around in 11 years. Taking advantage of Shizuoka's easy access — about two and a half hours by car from central Tokyo — here's a suggestion for a refreshing family trip around Shizuoka for the holidays.
Learning About Animals Through Play at the Foot of Nihondaira, One of Japan's Finest Scenic Spots
Surrounded by the rich nature of Nihondaira, a celebrated scenic spot with views of Mount Fuji, Nihondaira Zoo is known for its "behavioral exhibits," which let visitors observe animals behaving naturally and energetically. The zoo also serves as a command center for red panda breeding programs and information-sharing across Japan.
To mark International Red Panda Day(*) on September 19 (Saturday), the zoo will hold "International Red Panda Day 2026" starting September 8 (Tuesday).
*What is International Red Panda Day?
International Red Panda Day is a day set by the Red Panda Network, an organization dedicated to red panda conservation, and falls on the third Saturday of September every year. It's a day for helping more people learn about the appeal of red pandas, their situation in the wild, and the need for their conservation, and zoos across the country hold a variety of events to mark it.
Shizuoka Municipal Nihondaira Zoo's Special "International Red Panda Day" Program
Event Overview
- Dates: September 8 (Tue) to September 27 (Sun)
- Venue: Nihondaira Zoo (1767-6 Ikeda, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City)
- Website: https://www.nhdzoo.jp/event/naka.php?id=622
Program Details
[Exhibit] Red Panda Information Panels
- Dates: September 8 (Tue) to September 27 (Sun)
- Location: Visitor Center
- Details: Panels introducing red panda ecology and the current state of red pandas in the wild.
[Experience] Peek Behind the Scenes at the Red Panda House
- Dates: September 12 (Sat), 16 (Wed), and 20 (Sun), 3:00 PM each day (about 15 minutes)
- Location: Visitor Center
- Capacity: 25 people per day, chosen by lottery (children counted as one person each)
- Lottery tickets are distributed at the Visitor Center from 2:30 PM to 2:40 PM on each date.
- Details: A behind-the-scenes look at the red panda house, with talks on feeding and how the enclosure is built.
[Talk] Red Panda Network Japan Lecture
- Date: September 20 (Sun), 1:30 PM (about 30 minutes)
- Location: Visitor Center
- Speaker: Kanako Tomizawa, a director of Red Panda Network Japan (a general incorporated association)
- Details: An online talk on the situation of wild red pandas and conservation efforts.
[Experience] "Let's Make a Red Panda Feeder!"
- Date: September 27 (Sun), starting 2:15 PM (about 1 hour)
- Location: Visitor Center
- Capacity: First 10 people
- Applications open via a Shizuoka City Logo form starting 10:00 AM on September 21 (Mon, holiday).
- Details: Make a feeder for the red panda enclosure together with a keeper. Since the activity involves drilling holes in bamboo, please wear clothing that's easy to move in and that you don't mind getting dirty.
[Experience] "Making Paper From Red Panda Droppings 2"
- Dates: September 19 (Sat) to 23 (Wed), 5 days total
- Location: Visitor Center
- Capacity: 20 people per day by lottery (100 people total); advance application required through a web form
- Price: ¥300 (tax included) per sheet
- Details: A craft event making paper out of red panda droppings. See the Shizuoka Zoological Garden Association website (https://www.szga.jp/?p=4249) for details.
About Nihondaira Zoo
Set at the foot of Nihondaira with views of Mount Fuji, Nihondaira Zoo spans about 13 hectares and is home to roughly 130 species and 560 animals, making it one of Shizuoka City's leading leisure spots. For families who value memorable experiences for their children, it's a beloved must-visit destination when in Shizuoka City.
Nihondaira Zoo Mascot Character
- Name: Reppa-kun
- Hometown: Nihondaira Zoo
- Birthday: The third Saturday of September (International Red Panda Day)
- Gender: Boy
- First-person pronoun: "Boku"
- Age: 5
- Personality: A big eater who's always full of energy — but not great with surprises. Even small things can startle him into an over-the-top reaction!
- Job: Promoting Nihondaira Zoo and red pandas, idol activities, and red panda conservation work
A Close Look at Animals: "Behavioral Exhibits"
Mojukan 299
Watch fierce animals like polar bears, lions, and jaguars from a variety of angles. The sight of a polar bear diving into the water or swimming underwater is especially striking. As an all-weather indoor facility, it can be enjoyed no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Flying Mega Dome & Observation Plaza
At the Flying Mega Dome, one of the largest birdcages in Japan, visitors can step inside the cage and watch birds fly freely. From the zoo's elevated areas, visitors can also take in sweeping views of Mount Fuji and the city of Shizuoka, wrapped in the openness of its nature-rich setting.
A Family Attraction to Enjoy Together
Making use of the elevation changes across the grounds, the roller slider is a signature attraction families can enjoy together between animal viewings.
Nihondaira Zoo Overview
- Address: 1767-6 Ikeda, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
- Closed: Every Monday (the following weekday if Monday is a public holiday or substitute holiday), and the New Year holidays
- Admission: General (high school age and up) ¥620, elementary and junior high school students ¥150, free for preschool-age children
- Website: https://www.nhdzoo.jp/index.php
Choosing Your Pace With an Autumn Family Lunch
Whether you want to spend as much time as possible exploring the zoo or take a breather in the forest air, here are two lunch styles you can enjoy without any extra travel.
Rest House Shirokuma Kitchen
Located near the zoo's East Gate, Shirokuma Kitchen is easy to stop into between activities without going out of your way. Along with the popular Shirokuma Curry, the menu includes ramen, fried rice, and other dishes hearty enough to satisfy adults too. In its spacious dining area, families can carry the excitement of the zoo straight into a lively lunch together.
- Location: Near the East Gate, Nihondaira Zoo
- Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (last order 2:45 PM); weekends and holidays 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last order 2:45 PM)
An Overwhelming "Scenic Stay" & a Freely Explored "City Stay"
With this rare stretch of holidays, it's a chance to turn the convenience of a short trip into the comfort of staying the night. Experiences only possible by staying over — such as Mount Fuji at sunrise or an evening stroll through town — make a trip all the more rewarding.
Nihondaira Hotel
True to its reputation as a "landscape museum," Nihondaira Hotel offers a sweeping panorama of Mount Fuji across Suruga Bay. Waking up to Mount Fuji at sunrise in the crisp autumn air is an experience reserved for guests staying the night. It's a place where relaxed, unhurried comfort for adults and a genuinely breathtaking view for children can both be found in a single stay.
- Address: 1500-2 Mabase, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City
- Phone: 054-335-1131 (main line)
- Website: https://www.ndhl.jp/
Hotel Oak Shizuoka
Just a short walk from Shizuoka Station, Hotel Oak Shizuoka is a convenient base for a shopping trip around town the next day. Its refined design is still easy for families to use, and with spots like the "Oden Alley," known for local food, it suits active families who want to casually enjoy Shizuoka's nightlife and street atmosphere.
- Address: 2-2-5 Hitoyadocho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City
- Phone: 054-204-0321
- Website: https://hotel-oak.com/
Making the most of its easy access, Shizuoka City offers a sense of wonder and excitement that a day trip alone can't provide. This rare, first-in-11-years extended holiday is a chance to unwind with family and enjoy a well-earned breather in Shizuoka City.
More information: https://www.visit-shizuoka.com/index.html
