Timeline
16:06
Grab a ticket and head inside Ikeda Zoo. With the sun still high, take your time spotting the tapirs and red pandas before the light fades. The zoo closes at 17:30 in October, so you have plenty of time to explore without rushing.
16:56
Find a quiet bench or open area on the western side of the zoo grounds. The golden light from 16:38 will start painting the animal enclosures in warm hues, making for perfect viewing conditions before the main event.
17:16
Watch the sunset. On 15 January, the sun sets at 17:16 toward the WSW, directly from your vantage point in the zoo. The sky will shift from gold to deep blue as the day ends.
17:31
Stay for the twilight. The light fades quickly after sunset, but the zoo remains open until 17:30, allowing you to linger in the cooling air and reflect on the day before heading out.
Local tip
Check the zoo's closing time for your specific date, as it changes between seasons.
Check before you go
- Ikeda Zoo hours: Apr-Oct daily 09:00-17:30, Nov-Mar daily 09:00-17:00.
- Sunset on 15 January is at 17:16.
- Golden light begins at 16:38.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Okayama (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).