Itinerary
A Day at Tama Zoo by Monorail From Tama Center
How to combine Tama Center with Tama Zoological Park: an 8-minute monorail ride, opening hours, Wednesday closures, current exhibit notices and how to pace the hills.
By Tama Travel GuideFacts checked: 4 sources
At a glance
- Travel time
- 8 min by Tama Monorail from Tama-Center
- Cost
- Adults ¥600; elementary school age and under free
- Open
- 9:30–17:00 (entry until 16:00), closed Wednesdays
Contents
If you are already going to Tama Center, Tama Zoological Park is one of the easiest add-ons in western Tokyo: the Tama Monorail gets you from Tama-Center to Tama-Dobutsukoen in 8 minutes, and the zoo gate is about a minute’s walk from the station. Strictly speaking the zoo is in neighboring Hino City, not Tama City, but for planning purposes it works as part of a Tama day. The two things to plan around are that it is closed on Wednesdays and that it is built on hills.
Key facts
| Details (official, as of October 2026) | |
|---|---|
| Location | 7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 9:30–17:00. Tickets and entry until 16:00 |
| Closed | Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a national holiday, the next day instead), and December 29 to January 1 |
| Admission | Adults 600 yen; junior high students 200 yen; 65 and over 300 yen; elementary school age and under free |
| Payment | Credit cards, IC transit cards and several QR payment apps are accepted |
| Reservations | Not required for standard admission |
| Nearest station | Tama-Dobutsukoen (多摩動物公園) (Tama Monorail and Keio Dobutsuen Line), about 1 minute’s walk |
The zoo notes that some animals cannot be viewed after 16:00, so do not count on the last hour.
Getting there by monorail
The Tama Monorail station at Tama Center is separate from the Keio and Odakyu stations; see the Tama Center station guide for how they connect.
| Tama-Center (多摩センター) to | Distance | Time | Adult IC fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tama-Dobutsukoen | 3.7 km | 8 min | 265 yen |
Fares as of October 2026, from the Tama Monorail official fare page. Paper tickets cost slightly more than IC fares, and child fares are half the adult fare.
From central Tokyo you can also go directly by Keio Line (changing at Takahatafudo (高幡不動) for the Dobutsuen Line), but if you are combining the zoo with Puroland or Tama Center, the monorail is the natural link.
Check the notices before you go
The zoo’s English site has a list of exhibit closures and cancellations. As of early October 2026 it included:
- A notice (September 2026) that the lion exhibit and the Lion Bus service will be suspended
- A notice that the Insectarium has been closed since August 1
- Partial path closures in the African zone due to a landslide (partly lifted on October 3)
The Lion Bus is one of the zoo’s best-known experiences, so if it was the reason for your trip, check the latest status on the official site before you go.
What the zoo is like
GO TOKYO describes the zoo as spread across the Tama Hills with spacious enclosures, divided into Asian, African and Australian areas plus the Insectarium. Instead of a flat loop, expect to walk up and down slopes between areas.
Pacing the hills
- Decide on a direction.
- Mobility: the zoo started renting electric carts from March 2026 and GO TOKYO lists stroller and wheelchair rentals. Check the official site for conditions before relying on them.
- Breaks: GO TOKYO lists food outlets inside.
A sample day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Arrive at Tama Center, transfer to the monorail |
| 9:30 | Zoo opens. Head for the areas furthest from the gate first while you have energy |
| 12:00 | Lunch inside the zoo |
| 14:00–15:00 | Leave the zoo. Monorail back to Tama Center (8 min) |
| Afternoon | Tama Central Park, the free archaeology center, or a Sanrio details walk |
| Evening | Back to central Tokyo, or stay near Tama Center |
Puroland and the zoo on the same day is possible but tiring for small children; most families will be happier doing one big thing per day. See the one-day trip guide for other combinations.
Who should go
- Families with children: elementary school age and under get in free, which makes it cheap compared with most Tokyo attractions.
- Animal lovers with half a day: the monorail link makes it easy to fit around a Tama Center visit.
- Not ideal for: a Wednesday trip, very hot afternoons, or anyone who wants a flat, compact zoo.
Staying nearby
If you want the zoo and Puroland on separate days, staying near Tama Center saves two round trips from central Tokyo. See Where to Stay Near Sanrio Puroland.
Before-you-go checklist
- Not a Wednesday (or the day after a Wednesday holiday)
- Checked the zoo’s notices page for closures
- Planned to arrive well before entry closes at 16:00 (and remember some animals are not visible after 16:00)
- Comfortable shoes and water for the hills
- IC card topped up for the monorail
Prices and hours change. Check the official site before you go.