Satsukiyama Zoo is a free zoo located inside Satsukiyama Park that opened in 1957. It covers about 3,000 square meters. Although it is the second-smallest zoo in Japan (the smallest is Nishiyama Zoo in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture), it is notable for having four wombats—out of only six in all of Japan. Wombats (also called “common wombats”) live in southeastern Australia and on Tasmania. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Ikeda City and Launceston in Tasmania, three wombats were gifted to the zoo in 1990. The zoo is also known as the only one in Japan to have successfully bred wombats. Because wombats are nocturnal, visiting in the morning or toward evening is recommended if you want to see them moving around actively. In addition to wombats, the zoo keeps 13 species including other Australian endemics such as wallabies and emus. At the petting area, visitors can touch rabbits, guinea pigs, and African spurred tortoises. Satsukiyama Park also has hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and children’s play equipment, so you may want to take a walk around after visiting the zoo.