Video introduction of the original capybara open-air bath at Izu Shaboten Zoological Park in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

This video, titled "Capybara with mandarin orange on head in the open-air bath☆みかんを頭にのせるカピバラ 伊豆シャボテン動物公園【元祖カピバラの露天風呂】," was released by "HIRO@sea." The video shows capybaras enjoying a relaxing soak in an open-air bath.
The capybaras can be found at the Izu Shaboten Zoo, in Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan's Tokai Region.

Just like humans, the capybara enjoy a warm bath. The water is filled with yuzu, a type of citrus fruit.
You can see the capybara with a yuzu on its head at 1:46 in the video!

In this article, we'll introduce the Izu Shaboten Zoo and its open-air capybara bath.

What is Izu Shaboten Zoological Park? When is the original capybara open-air bath held?

Photo：Izu Shaboten Zoo

The Izu Shaboten Zoological Park is a theme park in Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy cacti and animals.

The zoo opened in October 1959 (Showa 34), and the 200,000-square-meter park features greenhouses with cacti and succulents from around the world, as well as approximately 140 species of animals and birds, including kangaroos, capybaras, anteaters, squirrel monkeys, red pandas, chimpanzees, ponies, wild birds, the ever-popular motionless shoebill stork, flamingos, peacocks, and fennec foxes.
The cacti are divided into five sections: the South American Pavilion, the African Pavilion, the Madagascar Pavilion, the Mexico Pavilion, and the Forest Cactus Pavilion.
There are edible cacti available for tasting as well.

In October 2016, the official name was changed from the former "Izu Shaboten Park" to "Izu Shaboten Zoological Park."
A little to the east of Izu Shaboten Zoological Park, in the coastal area, you can find Izu Granpal Park, Izu Kogen Tabi no Eki Granpal Port, New York Lamp Museum & Flower Garden, and the Izu Oceanic Park Diving Center as part of the Izu Shaboten Zoological Park Group.

Izu Shaboten Zoological Park also features life-size replicas of ancient American civilization sculptures, and the entire Izu Shaboten Zoological Park Group offers a wide range of attractions, from animals and plants to artifacts, park golf, the "Ship-shaped 3D Maze KAiZOKU," "Zip Line 風KAZE," "Water Balloons," and more. There's also "Wan Wan Park," a dog run where you can enjoy taking your pet dog, and the "Izu Kogen Grand Illumination," an experiential illumination event—so many facilities that you could never experience them all in a single day.

Nearby, the official hotels "Petit Hotel Izu Shaboten Village" and "Glamping Izu Shaboten Village" can be found.
You can fully enjoy your Izu Shaboten experience with an overnight stay at either one of these locations.

What is the capybara open-air bath? When can you see the original capybara hot spring?

Photo：Open-air capybara bath

First, let us introduce what kind of animal the "capybara" featured in the video is.
Capybaras are members of the Caviidae family of rodents, native to South America, inhabiting areas from Panama to northeastern Argentina.
They are large animals, measuring 106-134 centimeters in length, and are characterized by their gentle nature and friendly disposition toward humans.
They have a habit of living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. You can see multiple capybaras soaking in the hot spring together from 0:07 in the video.

The "Original Capybara Open-Air Bath" shown in the video is a historic event that began at Izu Shaboten Zoological Park in 1982, marking its 43rd anniversary in the 2025-2026 season.
It started when zookeepers were cleaning the exhibit with warm water, and the capybaras gathered and put their hands and feet in the puddles, which led to the preparation of a large bath for them.
Now, it has become a winter tradition of Izu.

Nowadays, many zoos across Japan offer capybara hot springs, but the originator is none other than Izu Shaboten Zoological Park.
At Izu Shaboten Zoological Park, the capybara mascot character "Capyba" will also welcome you.

The 2025-2026 season is held from November 22, 2025 (Saturday) to April 5, 2026 (Sunday). On weekdays, it is held once a day from 13:30 to 14:30, and on weekends, holidays, winter vacation period (December 20, 2025 to January 12, 2026), and spring vacation period (March 20 to April 5), it is held twice a day from 10:30 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 14:30.
On weekends and holidays, various "special baths" such as "yuzu bath," "autumn leaves (momiji) bath," "rose bath," and "apple bath" are also offered.

How to access Izu Shaboten Zoological Park? What are the operating hours and admission fees?

Source :【Official Website】Izu Shaboten Zoo

Due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when social distancing was required, the "Forest Animal Restaurant GIBBONTEI" at Izu Shaboten Zoological Park seated capybara and red panda plush toys alongside customers to ensure social distancing.
The adorable sight of the plush toys sitting in the restaurant chairs became a major topic at the time and was featured extensively on TV news.

These plush toys and calendars can be purchased at the gift shop within Izu Shaboten Zoological Park.
Many Izu Shaboten goods are also available at the official online shop (mail order) "IZU SHABOTEN HONPO," so please take a look!

Please enjoy a moment of relaxation by watching this "Original Capybara Open-Air Bath" video.

◆Izu Shaboten Zoological Park Facilities Overview◆
【Address】1317-13 Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture
【Access】From JR Atami Station, take the Ito Line to JR Ito Station, then take the Tokai Bus bound for Shaboten Park (approximately 35 minutes). From Izu Kogen Station on the Izukyu Line, take the Tokai Bus for approximately 20 minutes or a taxi for approximately 10 minutes.
【Admission Fee】Weekdays: Adults (junior high school and above) 2,700 yen, Elementary school students 1,300 yen, Children (4 years and older) 700 yen
Weekends/Holidays/Peak Season: Adults (junior high school and above) 2,800 yen, Elementary school students 1,400 yen, Children (4 years and older) 700 yen
Group discounts, senior discounts, disability discounts, coupon discounts, and ticket discounts available.
【Hours】9:30-17:00 (last admission 15:30) *Subject to change depending on the season
【Closures】Open year-round
【Avg. Time Spent Here】2+ Hours
【Parking】400 regular car spaces, 18 bus spaces (Regular car: 500 yen, Bus: 1,000 yen)
【Capybara Open-Air Bath Period】November 22, 2025 (Saturday) - April 5, 2026 (Sunday)

【Official Website】Izu Shaboten Zoological Park
https://izushaboten.com/lang/index.html

【Tripadvisor】Izu Shaboten Zoo
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298123-d1196864-Reviews-Izu_Shaboten_Zoo-Ito_Shizuoka_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html