As well as being blessed with abundant nature, those visiting Kobe can enjoy a wide range of animals as well. For a truly global petting zoo experience, check out the Kobe Animal Kingdom on Port Island, an all-weather enclosed attraction showcasing numerous birds and animals, many of whom can be encountered up close and even touched. Kobe’s Oji Zoo, open for seventy years, is home to around 130 species and the only spot in Japan to host both pandas and koalas.