# Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo, Japan: what it is and when to go

> Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo is a visitor attraction (鹿児島市平川動物公園) in Japan (Kagoshima). Interests: With kids and Wildlife. The best time to visit is February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 02 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 58. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/hirakawa-zoo/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Activity · With kids, Wildlife
- **Local name:** 鹿児島市平川動物公園
- **Where:** Japan
- **Best time:** February to May and October to November.
- **Nearest airport:** FUK Fukuoka, 236 km as the crow flies
- **Coordinates:** 31.4627, 130.50261

## What it is and where

Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo is a visitor attraction (鹿児島市平川動物公園) in Japan (Kagoshima). It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

It is in [Kagoshima](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kagoshima/), where this site lists 54 more places to see, 15 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 31.4627, 130.50261; the nearest main airport is Fukuoka Airport (FUK, Fukuoka), 236 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=31.462704%2C130.502615)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.462704%2C130.502615)

It is one of the [With kids](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/familia/) and [Wildlife](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/fauna/) places in Japan. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo is **February to May and October to November**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 10 h 10 |
| February | Best time | 10 h 54 |
| March | Best time | 11 h 46 |
| April | Best time | 12 h 47 |
| May | Best time | 13 h 36 |
| June | Possible | 14 h 02 |
| July | Possible | 13 h 52 |
| August | Possible | 13 h 09 |
| September | Possible | 12 h 11 |
| October | Best time | 11 h 12 |
| November | Best time | 10 h 22 |
| December | Possible | 9 h 58 |

In June there are 14 h 02 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 58. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
| --- | --- | --- |
| With kids | February to May and October to November | December to January and June to September |
| Wildlife | April to May and October | November to March and June to September |

It is not the same trip whatever you come for: Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) puts it in the right month for you.

When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to Japan

To enter Japan there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “A valid passport covering your whole stay”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Japan checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); plugs: Type A and B · 100 V · 50/60 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 119 ambulance and fire.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Kinpōzan](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/mt-kimpo/): Summit · 11 km
- [Chiran Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chiran-castle/): Castle ruins in Chiran, Japan · 12 km
- [Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chiran-peace-museum-for-kamikaze-pilots/): Museum in Kagoshima, Japan · 13 km
- [Museum of the Meiji Restoration](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/museum-of-the-meiji-restoration/): Museum in Kagoshima, Japan · 14 km
- [Izaku Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/izaku-castle/): Castle ruins in Hioki, Japan · 14 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/).

## More in Japan: With kids

- [Tokyo Disneyland](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/tokyo-disneyland/): theme park in Japan, owned by The Oriental Land Company
- [Universal Studios Japan](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/universal-studios-japan/): theme park in Osaka, Japan
- [Ueno Zoo](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/zoologico-imperial-de-ueno/): zoo in Tokyo, Japan
- [Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/acuario-churaumi-de-okinawa/): aquarium in Okinawa, Japan
- [Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/acuario-de-osaka-kaiyukan/): aquarium in Osaka, Japan
- [Jigokudani Monkey Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/jigokudani-monkey-park/): hot springs area with large population of wild snow monkeys

Every Japan place under With kids, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/familia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo?

It is a visitor attraction (鹿児島市平川動物公園 in the local language) in Japan. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

### When is the best time to visit Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo?

February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 02 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 58.

### How do you get to Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo?

The nearest main airport is Fukuoka Airport (FUK), 236 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.462704%2C130.502615) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Japan is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Japan map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Kinpōzan](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/mt-kimpo/), [Chiran Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chiran-castle/), [Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chiran-peace-museum-for-kamikaze-pilots/). The rest is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/296883655), licensed under the ODbL. More about Kagoshima City Hirakawa Zoo on [Wikipedia](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%B9%BF%E5%85%90%E5%B3%B6%E5%B8%82%E5%B9%B3%E5%B7%9D%E5%8B%95%E7%89%A9%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).