2026 Tama City Travel Guide: Tama Zoological Park’s Lion Bus and a Whisper of the Heart Pilgrimage in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, a Day-Trip Overview
Tama City combines a fenceless zoo with a Studio Ghibli pilgrimage spot, so in a single day you can enjoy both nature and movie romance, making it one of the best-value day trips near Tokyo.
Tama Zoological Park
Covering 52.3 hectares, the park is famous for its fenceless exhibits, which use the natural height differences of the terrain instead of fences so visitors can watch lions, koalas, African elephants and other animals up close in natural surroundings.
The park closes on most Wednesdays (a few are open; check the official opening-day calendar) (the next day if Wednesday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 1. Arrive when it opens in the morning. The Lion Bus is suspended for now, so start with the Asia, Africa and Australia zones.
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka is the real-life inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s classic anime Whisper of the Heart. The slopes, shrines and shopping streets around the station recreate the film’s scenes almost exactly, making it a must-visit pilgrimage spot for Ghibli fans.
You can begin the pilgrimage on foot from the station’s west exit. The whole walk takes about 2-3 hours, and you can follow a walking map to find the classic scenes along the way.
Seishun Post Box (Youth Memorial Mailbox)
Near the west exit of Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, this mailbox is designed to resemble the “Earth House” from the film. It is the first photo stop for Whisper of the Heart fans and also the starting point of the walking map.
Take a commemorative photo here first, then follow the map to the next spot to soak up the atmosphere of the film’s opening.
Iroha-zaka Slope
About a 10-minute walk from Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station on a hillside, this is a famous filming-location reference from Whisper of the Heart. Nearby Iroha-zaka Sakura Park has cherry blossoms in spring, and the view looks out over the station and the Tama River area.
Visit from late March to early April to enjoy cherry blossoms and the film’s scenery together in one romantic setting.
Konpira Shrine
This is the location of the famous scene in the film where classmate Sugimura confesses to Shizuku. The grounds are peaceful, and it is one of the confession spots Whisper of the Heart fans must visit.
The shrine is at 1-53-1 Sakuragaoka, Tama City, Tokyo, on the hilltop after you climb Iroha-zaka. Allow 15-20 minutes for photos and your visit.
Sakuragaoka Roundabout
Said to be the model for the location of the Earth House in the film, this is the last stretch of the Seiseki-Sakuragaoka walking route, and it is surrounded by a quiet residential area.
Take a short rest here to finish the pilgrimage.
Sakuragaoka Park
Located at 5-15 Renkoji, Tama City, Tokyo, the park is open 24 hours a day all year round. It is a large urban park in the Tama Hills with a total area of about 33 hectares.
Go toward evening and stay about 1 hour. From Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, take a Keio Bus toward Nagayama Station and get off at “Sakuragaoka Koen Nishiguchi” (Sakuragaoka Park West Entrance). You’ll be there.
Takahata Fudoson
A representative old temple of the Tama area, with a five-story pagoda and extensive grounds, it is a popular spot for both autumn leaves and temple visits.
It is about a 5-minute walk from Takahata-Fudo Station on the Keio Line or the Tama Monorail, and it is open year round, so it is easy to fit in during a transfer gap.
How to Get to the 2026 Tama City Travel Guide: Tama Zoological Park’s Lion Bus and a Whisper of the Heart Pilgrimage in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, a Day Trip: A Complete Guide to Transport and Costs
Tama City is in southwest Tokyo, close to Hachioji and Machida. To reach Tama Zoological Park and Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, you mainly use Keio Corporation, Odakyu Electric Railway, the Tama Monorail and buses. Knowing the routes and ticket options in advance makes a day trip easy.
How to Get to Tama Zoological Park: Transport Options at a Glance
🚇 Keio Corporation: From Shinjuku take the Keio Line to Takahata-Fudo Station, then transfer to the Keio Dobutsuen Line to Tama-Dobutsukoen Station. The ride takes about 40 minutes and the fare is about ¥390.
🚋 Odakyu Electric Railway: From the Kanagawa side, take the Odakyu Tama Line to Tama-Center Station, then transfer to the Tama Monorail to Tama-Dobutsukoen Station.
🚞 Tama Monorail: It connects Tama-Center, Takahata-Fudo and Tama-Dobutsukoen, with a one-day pass for adults at ¥890. Seiseki-Sakuragaoka is not on the monorail line, so take the Keio Line instead.
🚌 Bus: The Lion Bus inside the park is operated by the zoo, at ¥500 for adults (currently suspended). To get from Seiseki-Sakuragaoka to Sakuragaoka Park, you can take a Keio Bus.
What Are the Must-See Highlights of the 2026 Tama City Travel Guide: Tama Zoological Park’s Lion Bus and a Whisper of the Heart Pilgrimage in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka? A Breakdown of Each Area
Tama City offers wildlife and anime pilgrimage. Watch big herbivores and predators up close on the Lion Bus at Tama Zoological Park, then find Whisper of the Heart scenes around Seiseki-Sakuragaoka. Eight top spots below come with transport, admission and visiting tips.
Tama Zoological Park (Lion Bus)
Tama Zoological Park (7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino City, Tokyo) has fenceless ecological exhibits across its Asia, Africa and Australia zones. The separately charged Lion Bus (¥500 for adults) drives into the lions’ enclosure, where you watch the pride through the window (no feeding on board). It is currently suspended. Tama Zoological Park is known for its fenceless ecological exhibits across its Asia, Africa and Australia zones.
Opening hours are 9:30-17:00 (entry and ticket sales until 16:00), closed on Wednesdays (the next day if Wednesday is a national holiday), and closed from December 29 to January 1. Admission: adults ¥600, junior high school students ¥200, ages 65 and over ¥300, free for elementary school students and younger (high school students pay the adult rate).
Enter in the morning and ride the Lion Bus first to beat the crowds. Plan on spending 3-4 hours in the park. Get off at “Tama-Dobutsukoen Station” on the Keio Line or the Tama Monorail, then head to the main gate. Riding the lion bus first in the morning is the way to beat the crowds.
Keio Rail Land (Keio Railway Museum)
Keio Rail Land is near Tama-Dobutsukoen Station. It displays retired trains such as the original 5000 series, large model railway layouts and driving simulators (ask staff on site how to use them). Opening hours are 9:30-17:30 (last entry 17:00). It is closed on Wednesdays (the next day if Wednesday is a national holiday) and on January 1. Admission is ¥400 for ages 1 and over. Plan on 1-1.5 hours. The museum shop sells Keio Corporation merchandise, and its official website is www.keio-rail-land.jp. It suits railway fans and families with children.
Stroller and Electric Vehicle Rental at Tama Zoological Park
With young children, rent a stroller in front of the Watching Center for ¥500 per day. It suits children from about 7 months to 4 years old weighing 18 kg or less. It is free for disability certificate holders. Elementary school students and younger enter free.
From March 1, 2026, electric vehicles can be rented in front of the stroller rental counter for ¥2,200 per day (tax included). They are for people aged 65 and over or those with difficulty walking long distances, available in limited numbers on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station Plaza
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station is on the Keio Line and is the model for the setting of Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart. The circular plaza, gentle slopes and shopping street resemble Shizuku Tsukishima’s route to school in the film, drawing anime fans to take photos. Showa-style old shops remain around the plaza, so walking here feels like stepping into a scene from the film. Ghibli fans can visit Seiseki station on the Keio Line, the model for the film’s setting.
Visit toward evening, when the setting sun lights the slopes and railway tracks and recreates the film’s twilight mood. It is the best time for photography. The station is open year round and free to visit. Plan on a stay of 30 minutes to 1 hour. From Shinjuku, the Keio Line limited express takes about 26 minutes to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka, a convenient trip that makes a good pilgrimage after Tama Zoological Park.
Ipponsugi Park
Ipponsugi Park is in Sekido 5-chome, Tama City, a sports park with tennis courts and baseball fields. It is not a filming location for Whisper of the Heart, but it has cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and can serve as a rest stop along the pilgrimage.
Admission to the park is free. Plan to stay 30-45 minutes. It is a good place to rest briefly during your walk.
The Seiseki-Sakuragaoka area has many slopes, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Sekido Kumano Shrine and Konpira-gu Shrine
Sekido Kumano Shrine is in Sakuragaoka, Tama City, on the same high ground above Iroha-zaka as Konpira-gu Shrine. It is a stop on the Seiseki-Sakuragaoka walking route, and the grounds are quiet.
Visit in the morning or toward evening. Allow about 20-30 minutes for the visit and photos. From Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, simply walk up Iroha-zaka to reach it. The route includes stairs and slopes.
Stroll Along the Oguri River and Sekido Bridge
Walk along the charming Oguri River. From around Sekido Bridge, you can look across to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station and the nostalgic residential area, which is also a Whisper of the Heart filming reference. Late March to early April is the best time, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom and a sea of pink sets off the flowing river. Plan on a 30-45 minute walk.
It is open year round and free to visit. About a 10-minute walk from Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, it makes a good waypoint on the pilgrimage route, handy for reaching Konpira-gu Shrine and Sekido Kumano Shrine.
Takahata Fudoson Kongo-ji Temple
Takahata Fudoson Kongo-ji (733 Takahata, Hino City) is one of the three great Fudo temples of the Kanto region. The temple’s Fudo Hall (built in 1342), the statue of Fudo Myoo and the Niomon Gate are Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the grounds also hold a five-story pagoda.
The temple office sells charms for good luck and traffic safety, as well as limited-edition goshuin books and goshuin stamps (from about ¥500). A Hydrangea Festival is held each June, with about 7,500 hydrangeas in the grounds.
Admission to the grounds is free. Allow 1-1.5 hours. From Tama-Dobutsukoen Station, take the Keio Dobutsuen Line about 2 stops to Takahata-Fudo Station. This can be combined with the Tama Zoological Park trip.
Sakuragaoka Park (桜ヶ丘公園)
Sakuragaoka Park in Tama City has many Somei-Yoshino and wild cherry trees. From late March to early April, its blossoms are enchanting, and it is a recognized viewing spot. The high point overlooks the Seiseki-Sakuragaoka townscape. Lawns and picnic areas make it a relaxing pilgrimage stop. Cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino and wild cherry, fill Sakuragaoka Park.
The park is open year round and free to enter. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour. From Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, it is about 10 minutes by bus or about 25 minutes on foot. Visit toward evening to enjoy the sunset glow spilling across the lawn. It makes a perfect finish to the day trip.
How Much Does the 2026 Tama City Travel Guide: Tama Zoological Park’s Lion Bus and a Whisper of the Heart Pilgrimage in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Day Trip Cost? Tickets and Transport Costs Summarized
Plan your budget first. Admission to Tama Zoological Park, the Lion Bus and the Whisper of the Heart pilgrimage in Seiseki-Sakuragaoka add up, but a day stays affordable with planning. Below are the most recommended itineraries and ticket options.
Tama Zoological Park Admission and Opening Hours
Tama Zoological Park, at 7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino City, Tokyo, is known for its Africa zone Lion Bus, where you can watch lions up close. Adults pay ¥600, junior high school students pay ¥200, and visitors aged 65 and over pay ¥300, while elementary school students and younger enter free. The Lion Bus requires a separate ticket. Before visiting, we recommend checking the Tokyo Zoological Park Society website, Tokyo Zoonet (www.tokyo-zoo.net).
Opening hours: 9:30-17:00, closed on Wednesdays (postponed to the next day on holidays). Allow at least 3 hours.
How to Buy Tama Zoological Park Lion Bus Tickets and the Latest Status
The Lion Bus uses timed, assigned departures. Boarding tickets go on sale from 9:30 at the Lion Bus stop inside the park until sold out. The bus runs from 10:00 to 16:00. Fares: adults (high school students to age 64) ¥500; ages 3 to junior high school and ages 65 and over ¥150; free for ages 0-2. Tickets are valid on the day of issue only. Once issued, a time slot cannot be changed and a ticket cannot be refunded.
⚠️ The official website announced that lion exhibits and the Lion Bus have been suspended since July 23, 2026, and as of October 4, 2026 they were still suspended, with no resumption date set. Check the latest official announcement before you go.
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Whisper of the Heart Pilgrimage Walking Route
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station inspired the filming location for Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart. Anime fans come to find the slopes, shopping streets and residential areas from the film. The area is good for exploring on foot, though you will face many slopes and stairs along the way.
From Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station, follow the slope to Iroha-zaka and Konpira-gu Shrine. The walk takes about 2-3 hours and suits the afternoon. You can pick up a walking map at the station and explore on your own.
Most of the film’s scenes were drawn from inspiration rather than exact copies, so the real places differ slightly from the images, and bringing the walking map to compare makes it more fun.
Tama City Day Trip Transport Passes
From Shinjuku or Shibuya to Tama City, the Keio Line one-way fare is about ¥360 from Shinjuku to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka and about ¥390 from Shinjuku to Tama Zoological Park. The Tama Monorail also has a one-day pass at ¥890 for adults, suited to linking Tama-Center and Tama Zoological Park.
If you plan to visit Sanrio Puroland, you can take the Keio Line or Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Tama-Center Station (about a 5-minute walk). Please check fares on the Keio Corporation website (www.keio.co.jp).
Tama-Center Area Attraction Packages
The itinerary can include Sanrio Puroland at Tama-Center, which suits families with children and Hello Kitty fans. Admission varies by date, so check the official website (www.puroland.jp).
A suggested package is Tama Zoological Park in the morning to see the Lion Bus, a move to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka at midday for the pilgrimage, and shopping and dinner at Tama-Center in the evening.
Compare prices on ticket platforms and official websites before you go.
Tama-Center Highlights: A Complete Guide to Shopping and Dining Around Sanrio Puroland
Beyond the zoo and the Whisper of the Heart pilgrimage, don’t miss the area around Tama-Center Station. It especially suits families with children and Hello Kitty fans. It brings together a theme park, shopping centers and restaurants, and works well as the last half-day stop.
Sanrio Puroland
Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park for Hello Kitty, My Melody, and other popular Sanrio characters, about a 5-minute walk from Tama-Center Station. Weather does not matter, since all facilities are indoors. Prices vary by season and by weekday or weekend, so check the day’s price on the official website (www.puroland.jp), reserve online, and plan early, especially during school holidays and on crowded weekends.
Tama-Center Shopping and Dining: Parthenon Avenue and Nearby Malls
Parthenon-Odori starts at Tama-Center Station, lined with malls such as Keio Tama Center SC and Cocoria Tama Center. At its end, Parthenon Tama, renovated in 2022, stands beside Tama Central Park, about 5 minutes’ walk from the station.
Make Tama-Center your last stop. Go to Tama Zoological Park in the morning and the Seiseki-Sakuragaoka pilgrimage in the afternoon. Have dinner and shop at Tama-Center in the evening, then take the Keio Line or Tama Monorail back to central Tokyo for a smooth route.
Nearby Accommodation Suggestions
Tama-Center Station, Tama City’s main station, is served by Keio and Odakyu, about 40 minutes from Shinjuku on either line. Most travelers visit on a day trip. For a two-day trip covering Tama Zoological Park and Sanrio Puroland, stay nearby.
FAQ
A roundup of the Tama City day-trip questions readers search for most.
Q: How much is admission to Tama Zoological Park?
The standard ticket is ¥600, and the Lion Bus requires a separate ¥500, about ¥1,100 in total for both (the Lion Bus is currently suspended).
Q: Is the Lion Bus at Tama Zoological Park running now?
The official website announced that lion exhibits and the Lion Bus have been suspended since July 23, 2026, and as of October 4, 2026, it still showed them as suspended, with the resumption date to be confirmed by the official announcement. When running normally, the Lion Bus uses assigned time slots from 10:00 to 16:00, at ¥500 for adults and ¥150 for ages 3 to junior high school and ages 65 and over.
Q: How long does it take from Shinjuku to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka?
The Keio Line limited express takes about 26 minutes, with a fare of about ¥356 to ¥360 (¥356 with an IC card, ¥360 with a paper ticket). Trains are frequent, so it suits a same-day round trip.
Q: When is the best season for the Whisper of the Heart pilgrimage?
Visit from late March to early April, when cherry blossoms along Iroha-zaka are in full bloom and overlap with the film’s classic scenes.
Q: Where can I get the Whisper of the Heart walking map?
You can get the free walking map “Neko wo Oikakete: Sansaku Map” (猫を追いかけて~散策マップ) at the Keio shopping mall service desk at the west exit of Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station. Quantities are limited, so get one as soon as you arrive at the station.
Q: Can I see both Tama Zoological Park and Seiseki-Sakuragaoka in one day?
Yes. Spend about 3-4 hours at the zoo in the morning. After lunch, head to Seiseki-Sakuragaoka for a 2-3 hour pilgrimage. This fills the day nicely.
Q: What should I know before visiting Tama Zoological Park?
The park is built on sloping terrain, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Lion Bus capacity is limited, so buy a ticket and join the queue as soon as the park opens.
