A summer staple in Fukuoka, the Night Zoo and Botanical Garden is now open on every Saturday from August 2nd until September 13th! 

Since its start in 1998, visitors to this special nighttime event have been able to get a rare glimpse at nocturnal animals in their natural habit as well as gaze at flowers that only bloom after the sun sets. This year is particularly special, as it marks the first time that the new Asian Elephant’s nighttime debut! 

Light-ups of the penguin area and aviary, animal feedings at night by the zoo staff, and the Summer Night Green Park set up in the recently renewed botanical garden greenhouse square are some of the special attractions that await you! 

★★This year’s highlights★★

★Penguin area light-up・animal feeding time

At night many of the nocturnal animals in the zoo come to life, and with the penguin area and aviary light-up the zoo takes on a distinctly different character from the daytime. 
The nighttime feeding of the animals by the zoo staff allows visitors the rare opportunity to view the animals in a form true to their natural habitat, with their behavior and instincts on full display. 
*For more information on the precise feeding times for different animals, please check the zoo homepage. 

★Light, sound, and play [The Summer Night Green Park]

As for the botanical garden, The Summer Night Green Park is the place to be! Located primarily on the recently renewed plaza located in front of the greenhouse, a dazzling performance of light, sound, and stalls and vendors that change weekly will grace the garden. With workshops and live performances planned, both children and adults have plenty to enjoy here! With food carts and tents selling various wares also coming guests will have plenty of dinner options and snacks to choose from ensuring a stress-free evening. 
*Food and sales will only be offered until 20:30. For more information on the offerings please consult with the botanical garden’s homepage or SNS accounts.

★Greenhouse light-up・large-flowered evening primrose bloom show

Barringtonias and flowering water lilies dare among the uniquely nocturnal flowering plants to peruse in the greenhouse, and together with the special lighting transforms into a picture-perfect vista of lights and colors. The large-flowered evening primrose blooms at night and is must-see. The best time to see the flowers bloom is about 30 minutes after sunset, so be prepared!

*Estimated flowering times for large-flowered evening primrose (sunset)
August 2: Around 19:18        
August 9: Around 19:11 
August 16: Around 19:04  
August 23: Around 18:56 
August 30: Around 18:47   
September 6: Around 18:38 
September 13: Around 18:28 

★Exciting workshops

At the Zoo’s information building ZooLab there will be several workshops available for visitors to learn more about the botanical garden and zoo at night (ticket required). 
*For more information on the workshop contents, please check the zoo’s homepage.

★Night-exclusive menus

At the tent in front of the main entrance to the zoo guests will be able to purchase shaved ice to beat the heat, local delicacies, beer, and other goodies. At the nearby children’s cafeteria, a limited time red panda drink (two flavors: one made with tapioca milk tea and the other mango milk) will be on offer. At the botanical garden’s observation café guests will be able to gaze out at the city at night while enjoying some barbecue! (From 15:00~20:30). 

★Please use public transportation when coming to the event★
During this event, the roads surrounding the zoo and botanical garden tend to experience heavy traffic. For this reason, we highly recommend taking public transportation to the zoo and botanical gardens.
*The free shuttle [ZOObus] will not be running.

Dates:

Every Saturday from August 2 to September 13
(August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, September 6, 13, 7 days in total),
9:00 to 21:00 (last admission at 20:30 p.m.)

Fee

Adult: 600 yen
High School: 300 yen
Middle School and younger: free

Other

During this event, the roads surrounding the zoo and botanical garden tend to experience heavy traffic. For this reason, we highly recommend taking public transportation to the zoo and botanical gardens.