Zoorasia!

During the week, its work time.  However, we've been pretty diligent about going out each weekend and doing something new or different to try and experience the max amount of Japanese culture.

Last weekend was Martin Luther King Weekend.  To celebrate Monday off, we went to a zoo in nearby Yokohama.  After taking multiple trips to the San Diego Zoo during our time in California, expectations were low for a zoo named "Zoorasia".  However, we were pleasantly surprised to see that they had quite a good selection of animals, and the park was very viewer friendly!  Most animals were active and in places where they could be easily seen, but the enclosures were large enough that they didn't seem cramped.

The zoo was set up with different regions of the world in different parts of the park, but there was only one path to walk on.  Although there were several shortcuts, you merely had to keep walking along the main path and you were ensured to see each animal.  This resonated with my mentality of "I'm going to the zoo to see animals, and I'll be darned if I'm not going to look at every single one."

Since it was a Monday, there were hardly any guests at the park.  We had front row seats at each enclosure, and could stay and watch an animal as long as we liked.  This was perfect for the animals that were active, like the polar bear, or the Japanese Macaques (monkeys).

Our favorite animals to watch were the Macaques (what I wouldn't give to be able to climb like them. . .), and Stephen also really enjoyed the Red Panda (It's so FLUFFY!).  Kylee could have watched the seals play in the water for hours, or laugh at the elephants drinking water from the trainer's hose.


All in all, our first Japanese zoo was a very memorable experience, and a place to make sure and visit again and again.