Kansai

For anyone who likes birds, plants and animals but isn’t into the whole dirty and bug-infested wilderness thing, there are a variety of places in Japan where you can take in “nature” without lathering up in DEET. If you’re in Kobe, a great option is Kobe Animal Kingdom. It was created by Japanese botanist and collector Kamo Mototeru, who is known for having created several bird and flower theme parks. However, the business was sold a few years ago to a larger company that has improved the attraction a great deal by making the enclosures more like the natural habitats of the animals. Animals You’ll Find Located on Port Island within a 16,000-square-meter greenhouse, the park offers a surprisingly-wide assortment of exotic birds, flowers, and plants, many of which you are able to experience up-close, even touching or feeding them in some cases. Some of the most notable animals include: Meerkats Capybaras Patagonian mara An assortment of owls, including Northern white-faced owls Two-toed sloths Southern tamanduas Aldabra giant tortoises Not willing to relegate themselves to the unusual and interesting, Kobe Animal Kingdom also has a large collection of the more pedestrian house pet types of animals, such as American short hair cats and pekinese dogs.…