The facility utilizes a 'reverse lighting' system to manipulate the biological clocks of animals, keeping them active while visitors are present during the day.
It houses one of Japan's most comprehensive collections of nocturnal primates and small insectivores.
The hall is part of the larger Higashiyama complex, which has been operating since 1937.
The structure is specifically designed with sound-dampening materials to reduce stress for sensitive nocturnal species.
The Shizen Dobutsukan (Natural History Hall) is a specialized facility located within the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya. It functions primarily as an indoor nocturnal animal exhibit, housing creatures active in low-light environments. The building provides controlled lighting conditions to simulate night for visitors to observe species such as loris, bats, and various rodents. It serves as an educational bridge between the zoo's outdoor animal enclosures and the broader biological exhibits of the park. The facility is climate-controlled, making it a reliable destination regardless of external weather conditions in Aichi Prefecture. Its design focuses on creating immersive, darkened pathways that allow for close-up viewing of species that are otherwise shy or inactive during standard daylight hours.
The illuminated information panels near the entrance that provide context for the species housed within.
Adjust your eyes to the darkness for at least three minutes before entering the main exhibit area to improve visibility.
Visit during the weekday afternoon to avoid heavy crowds and minimize ambient noise inside the building.
Do not use flash photography at any point, as it causes significant distress to the nocturnal animals.
Avoid rushing through the exhibit; your eyes need time to adjust to the low-light environment to spot the animals hiding in the foliage.
Closed on Mondays. If a public holiday falls on a Monday, the facility remains open and closes on the following Tuesday instead.
No flash photography is strictly enforced; maintain low noise levels to avoid disturbing animals sensitive to vibrations and sound.
