Key Takeaways: Inokashira Park Zoo near Kichijoji Station stays open until 20:00 on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, with last entry at 19:00. Keepers give short talks on nocturnal animals, a Saturday tour visits the lit-up Seibo Kitamura sculptures, and an open-air concert runs on Sunday from 18:00. Food service ends earlier, and the Squirrel Path still closes at 16:30.
Kichijoji, Tokyo · 2 nights only
Inokashira Park Zoo stays open until
8 PMSat 7 & Sun 8 November 2026 · last entry 19:00
Inokashira Park Zoo (井の頭自然文化園), the Tokyo metropolitan zoo about a 10-minute walk from Kichijoji Station, is keeping its gates open until 20:00 for two evenings this autumn. The event is called Chotto Odekake: Autumn Nights at the Zoo (ちょっとおでかけ 秋の夜長の自然文化園). It runs on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026. The Tokyo Zoological Park Society (公益財団法人東京動物園協会) announced it on 8 October 2026.
Expect keeper talks about nocturnal animals, a guided walk through lit-up sculptures and an outdoor concert on Sunday. The announcement does not mention admission fees, so check the official event page before you go.
Contents
The event at a glance
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release)
| Dates | Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Extended to 20:00 on both days Entry 9:30–19:00, last exit 20:00 |
| Venue | Inokashira Park Zoo About 10 minutes on foot from Kichijoji Station The grounds straddle Musashino and Mitaka cities |
| Highlights | Keeper talks on nocturnal animals, sculpture tour and light-up, outdoor concert on Sunday |
| Admission | Not stated in the announcement. Check the official site. |
| Parking | None at the zoo |
The zoo shows around 160 species and is split into two parts. The main zoo (動物園・本園) has the museum building and the sculpture garden of Seibo Kitamura (北村西望). The aquatic section (水生物園・分園) has the aquarium building and the waterfowl exhibits.
Entry hours, gates and the 19:00 cut-off
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release)
The time that matters most is 19:00, not 20:00. You can enter until 19:00, and you must be out by 20:00.
- Gates: you can enter and leave through any of three gates: the Main Gate of the main zoo (正門), or the Benten Gate (弁天門) and Nanai Gate (七井門) of the aquatic section.
- Moving between the two sections: only until 19:00. After that, stay on the side you are on.
- Closed areas: some paths close once the animal displays there finish for the day.
- Squirrel Path (リスの小径): the walk-in area with Japanese squirrels closes at 16:30 as usual, even during the event. Go in the afternoon if you want to see it.
The closing times of the main animals and exhibit buildings are not in the announcement. They are listed on the zoo’s official website.
Evening programmes
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release)
Most of the programme runs between 17:00 and 19:00, which fits neatly before the 19:00 entry cut-off.
| Programme | Day | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeper’s Night Animal Guide (飼育係のいきものガイド・夜編) | 7 & 8 Nov | 17:00–19:00 about 10 min each | In front of the animal houses |
| Ask a Keeper (飼育係に質問してみよう) | 7 & 8 Nov | 17:00–19:00 about 30 min each | In front of the animal houses |
| Sculpture tour Chotto Night Museum (ちょっとナイト・ミュージアム) | Sat 7 Nov | From 18:45 about 20 min | Meet at the entrance of the Atelier Hall, sculpture garden, main zoo |
| Outdoor concert (ちょっと秋風そよぐ演奏会) | Sun 8 Nov | 18:00–19:30 | Main zoo, in front of Komorebi |
The keeper talks focus on nocturnal animals and how they behave after dark. In the Q&A session you can ask keepers what to look out for at night. Exact start times and spots for both will be announced later on the official website.
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release)
The sculpture tour introduces the works of Seibo Kitamura in a darker, quieter setting than a daytime visit. The sculptures are also lit up during the event.
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release)
The zoo notes that some animals may not be visible depending on the weather or their condition.
Sunday concert and performers
On Sunday 8 November from 18:00 to 19:30, an open-air concert takes place in the main zoo, in front of the Komorebi shop. It comes in two parts. Further details will be announced later.
| Part | Performer | About |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Mutu Arata (ムトゥ・アラータ) violin | Plays regularly around Inokashira Park. Performed solo at this event in 2023 and 2024. |
| Part 2 | ICU Rince | Irish music circle at International Christian University (ICU). Active since around 2004. |
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release; provided by the performer)
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release; provided by the performer)
Food, drinks and the gift shop
Image: Tokyo Zoological Park Society (from the PR TIMES press release; the image is for illustration and the actual menu may differ)
Food stops earlier than the zoo itself, so plan your evening snack before 19:00.
| Spot | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Komorebi food & gift shop (こもれび) | Plaza just past the Main Gate, main zoo | Gift corner 9:30–20:00 Food corner 10:00–19:30 |
| Kitchen car | Near the aquarium building, aquatic section | 11:30–19:00 |
| Hanako Café (はな子カフェ) | Near the elephant house | Closed during the extended hours |
- Komorebi plans to sell oden that comes with a novelty item based on the event poster, plus original stickers. Prices have not been announced.
- The kitchen car sells hot drinks and food. It may close or change its hours depending on the weather.
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Rules for a visit after dark
- No flash photography of the animals.
- Use torches and other lights only to light your feet. Do not point them at animals.
- Photography of the works inside the sculpture hall is not allowed.
- Some areas become closed to visitors once the animal displays there end.
- There is no car park. Use a nearby car park or come by public transport.
- Exhibits and events may be cancelled or changed because of the animals’ condition or the weather.
Looking for more autumn outings with an arty side? See our guides to the Musashino Art University Festival and the Ghibli Park exhibition in Osaka, Yokosuka and Kyoto.
FAQ
- Q. When is the latest I can enter?
- Entry is from 9:30 to 19:00 on 7 and 8 November 2026. The zoo closes at 20:00, which is the last exit time.
- Q. How much is admission during the event?
- The announcement does not list admission fees. Check the official Inokashira Park Zoo website before your visit.
- Q. Can I move between the main zoo and the aquatic section in the evening?
- Only until 19:00. You can leave through the Main Gate, the Benten Gate or the Nanai Gate.
- Q. Is the Squirrel Path open in the evening?
- No. The Squirrel Path closes at 16:30, the same as on regular days.
- Q. Is there parking at the zoo?
- No. Use a nearby car park or public transport. The zoo is about a 10-minute walk from Kichijoji Station.
Source: Inokashira Park Zoo official event page and press release by the Tokyo Zoological Park Society (8 October 2026). Programme start times and spots will be added on the official site.