The former residence of the founder of Osaka Iron Works, Edward Hazlett Hunter. An elaborate example of a 19th-century ijinkan (異人館, "foreign home"), it is at the northeast corner the zoo (hence not accessible outside zoo hours). The interior – with roped-off period furniture – is only open a few months each year.[2] It was designated an Important Cultural Property by both the prefecture and the nation.[3]
Animals in other sections include giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, ostriches, flamingos, hippos, some species of apes, crocodiles, bobcats, sea lions, snow owls, and elephants.[2]
Technically the zoo is within Ōji Park (王子公園, Ōji Kōen), but the zoo is enclosed and has admission fees. Surrounding the zoo are the various parts of a sports complex. To the zoo's northwest is the Ōji Sports Center (王子スポーツセンター, Ōji Supōtsu Sentā). To the northeast are some tennis courts; to the east is Ōji Stadium; to the southwest is the Museum of Literature.
