01 August 2009

Ueno Zoo

Friday went to Ueno Zoo (上野動物園) with my friend. Asked a few of the others but ended up only 2 of us are available to make it.

Ueno Zoo isn't far from the hostel. Took a train ride to Ueno station which cost 150 yen. Then walk to the Ueno Zoo via Ueno Park.

One of the popular spots for Hanami during the Spring season. These are actually sakura trees, green in summer.
IMG_2004

Before reaching the zoo spotted this another mascot of Japan. Can you name this fat blue figure?
IMG_2007

Entrance of Ueno Zoo. The 2 banners in front are about Saving Gorillas (L) and extension of opening hours during the mid Aug (R).
IMG_2008

Entrance cost 600 yen (~RM 22.30) for normal adult. Too bad they don't have special price for students after high school.
IMG_2010

Ueno Zoo is being divided into the East and West garden, where the main entrance is located at the East garden.


Panda at the entrance. It's ironic that currently the Ueno Zoo doesn't exhibit any pandas. One of the eldest panda in the zoo, Lin Lin, passed away few months ago.
IMG_2009

IMG_2143

One of the first exhibit we saw, the red panda in the place of the famous giant panda. Wasn't that pleased with the setting of the red panda's enclosure, concretes everywhere with minimal touch of nature.
IMG_2016
IMG_2015

Asian Elephants. They left something near the floor....
IMG_2021

A monkey with a rather special tail. I commented the furs must be good to be made into a calligraphy brush (毛笔)!
IMG_2023
IMG_2031

Cute prairie dogs feeding.
IMG_2027
IMG_2028
IMG_2029

Concrete artificial mountain for the monkeys.
IMG_2033
IMG_2036
IMG_2037
IMG_2034

For some reason I felt disgusting looking at this animal. Forgotten the name but it's from US if not mistaken. Ugghh...
IMG_2038

Hailed from the South America, this animal is the mascot of Winamp. Llama that is.
IMG_2039

The East station of Ueno Zoo Monarail. Each ride cost 150 yen just for a short walk, say 5 mins?
IMG_2040

Polar bear, something you can't really see in tropic places.
IMG_2044
IMG_2048
IMG_2049

This bear appears to be on the further glass exhibit so I ran down to capture some of the portrait shots. Too bad
IMG_2051
IMG_2052
IMG_2053

Penguins from the artic. They're kept inside the air-conded room as they can't stand the heat.
IMG_2057
IMG_2056
IMG_2060

Other more heat-resistant penguins, from the South America.
IMG_2062
IMG_2061
IMG_2065

A baby seal, looking at the crowd.
IMG_2064

A sitting crane.
IMG_2072

Love these love birds' colours!
IMG_2089
IMG_2087
IMG_2097

Sleeping gorillas. zzzz.....
IMG_2110

Gorilla's head is bigger than human!
IMG_2109

Peacock standing high up.
IMG_2115

I find this monkey's pose funny.
IMG_2117

The king of Africa savanna, lion.
IMG_2119
IMG_2122

Caged flying marvels.
IMG_2126
IMG_2130
IMG_2133
IMG_2125

It's said that Tokugawa Ieyasu rested at this hut before centuries ago. O_o
IMG_2138
IMG_2137

2 Malay sun bears playing~
IMG_2139
IMG_2141
IMG_2142

The "5 layer tower" (五重塔) inside the zoo, which gives a glimpse of how ancient Japan garden looks like with all the animals around.
IMG_2145
IMG_2148

Deer from Nara province. Reminds me of the character from Naruto, Shikamaru Nara.
IMG_2155

Uncaged exhibit, spidy.
IMG_2156

It was around 1pm when we stop awhile for lunch.
IMG_2160

I had yaki soba & takoyaki. Cost 750 yen.
Yakisoba
Takoyaki

Tempted to get the dessert but resisted, heh.
IMG_2159

After eating we walk to the West garden. The Ueno skyline~
IMG_2165

The zoo monorail.
IMG_2166
IMG_2167

LOL @ the penguins!
IMG_2174
IMG_2177

Flamingos.
IMG_2281
IMG_2183

Moving into the vivarium.
Eyeless salamander. Not the best looking animal.
IMG_2186

Colourful frogs. The more attractive, the deadlier they are. Poison dart frogs.
IMG_2187
IMG_2188
IMG_2192

One of the biggest toad on Earth, the devil toad. This monster eats animals even bigger than it's size.
IMG_2195

Iguana, as lazy as ever.
IMG_2197

Your friendly green lizard.
IMG_2196

A kind of special snake that only can be found in Madagascar. Notice the sharp-tip mouth.
IMG_2198

The outdoor part of the vivarium.
IMG_2200

Big croc.
IMG_2203

Arowana, just the right size for the few of us to consume.... :P
IMG_2205
IMG_2208

IMG_2206

Somehow this croc looks cute, don't you think so? Especially the eyes....
IMG_2216

The infamous Gila Monster from the US!
IMG_2219

Venomous snakes. Weird they don't have cobra huh, must ask India to donate for them. XD
IMG_2221
IMG_2222

Python. So damn fat and long lol.
IMG_2224
IMG_2226
IMG_2225

One of the amphibious snake, but this is not the anaconda.
IMG_2228

Another king-size toad spotted.
IMG_2233

A special white salamander from Mexico. Not sure if this is an albino specimen or not.
IMG_2238

Curious looking tortoise.
IMG_2241

A hybrid of horse + zebra?
IMG_2244

Kirin and giraffe. (note that "kirin" means giraffe in Japanese, and also a popular beverage brand)
IMG_2245

Pygmy hypo~
IMG_2247

Mother and child.
IMG_2251

The hypo's water looks like the drink I'm drinking..... orz
IMG_2248

Meerkats feasting.
IMG_2268

Looking up at the sky (ceiling in this case) for any predators.
IMG_2267
IMG_2261
IMG_2264

Greetings from Australia!
IMG_2280

Sea hawk. The only bird that's allowed to be outside.
IMG_2304

Views from the lotus pond near the end of the trip.
IMG_2285
IMG_2291
IMG_2283
IMG_2284
IMG_2292
IMG_2180

And finally, the exit.
IMG_2293

My views on Ueno Zoo? Hmm..... not as excited as those little kids but anyway it's a different kind of experience than those of Zoo Negara in Malaysia. The Ueno Zoo doesn't smell as strong as those in the Malaysian counterpart.

Too bad they don't have an aquarium in the zoo, as it's located separately at another part. Somehow I might be more fascinated by the water-living animals.
No, not because I wanted to try their sashimi, but to please the eyes, heh. Sashimi for the eyes maybe? LOL...

No comments:

Post a Comment