This year marks the 40th anniversary of koalas first arriving at Saitama Children's Zoo. To celebrate the milestone, the zoo has been coordinating with Australia's Queensland State to welcome new koalas, and it has now been decided that two koalas will join the park.
A commemorative ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 22, when the koalas will be unveiled to the public for the first time. From then through "Koala Day" on Sunday, October 25 — about two months later — the zoo will hold original merchandise sales along with a variety of programs and events celebrating the koalas' arrival.
Visitors are invited to come meet the newest members of Saitama Children's Zoo.
The New Koalas
Arnold (male)
Bubbles (female)
Koala Arrival Commemorative Ceremony
Date and Time
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Location
Forest Classroom and Koala House, Saitama Children's Zoo
Program
- Ceremony: 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
- Koala unveiling: 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Attendees (planned)
Hosts
- Motohiro Ono, Governor of Saitama Prefecture
- 鶴見恒, Chairman of the Saitama Prefectural Parks and Green Space Association
Guests
- Queensland Government Representative to Japan
- Chairperson of the Saitama Prefectural Assembly, and others
The ceremony itself is open to invited guests only.
Public Viewing of the Koalas
Date and Time
Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 10:30 AM
Location
Koala House, Saitama Children's Zoo
From about 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, entry to the Koala House will be restricted while the ceremony is underway.
40th Koala Anniversary Event
Period
Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location
Saitama Children's Zoo
Highlights
On August 22
- A specially designed commemorative edition of Koala's March, free to the first 500 visitors
Throughout August 22 to October 25
- Limited-edition 40th anniversary koala stickers, while supplies last: first 200 visitors on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the period; first 500 visitors on August 22, October 24, and October 25
- Original koala merchandise for sale
Australia Fair (October 24 and 25)
- Greetings with the koala mascots "San-chan" and "Koala's March-kun"
- Sale of Australia-themed animal merchandise
- Aboriginal art experience
- An opportunity to try playing the didgeridoo, a traditional Aboriginal musical instrument
- Koala quiz rally
Visitor Information
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry one hour before closing)
Closed: Mondays (open instead if Monday is a holiday)
Admission: Adults (high school age and up) ¥900 (¥720 for groups); children (elementary and junior high school) ¥200 (¥160 for groups); free for preschool-age children and visitors with a disability certificate
Address: 554 Iwadono, Higashimatsuyama, Saitama
Website: https://www.parks.or.jp/sczoo/
