How to Get Nihonzaru in Grow a Garden

The Nihonzaru is a rare, limited-time pet in Grow a Garden. It can only be obtained from the Zen Egg, with a 31% chance per hatch. This pet was introduced during the Zen Update on July 19, 2025, alongside other Zen-themed content such as the Hot Spring and Zen Shop.

The Nihonzaru closely resembles the real-life Japanese macaque, also known as the “snow monkey.” It has light brown fur, a pink face, and a small, rounded body. When idle, it often sits or crouches, mimicking the relaxed demeanor of its real-world counterpart.

How to Obtain the Nihonzaru

Because the Nihonzaru is exclusive to the Zen Egg, your first step is acquiring one.
There are currently two confirmed ways to get a Zen Egg in Grow a Garden:

1. Purchase from the Zen Shop

   • The Zen Shop is located in the center of the Zen Island.

   • You can buy Zen Eggs with Chi, which is earned by giving Tranquil Plants to the Zen Shop NPC.

   • Alternatively, you can purchase Zen Eggs directly for 149 Robux.

2. Give Tranquil Fruit to the Zen Channeller

   • The Zen Channeller offers a random chance to reward you with a Zen Egg in exchange for Tranquil Fruit.

   • This is less predictable but doesn’t require spending Robux.

Once you have a Zen Egg, you simply hatch it — but remember, there’s only a 31% chance to get a Nihonzaru, so multiple attempts may be required.

Passive Ability: Bathe Time

The Nihonzaru’s unique trait is Bathe Time, which boosts the passive effects of all your other pets by approximately 2.5% when active.
To activate this ability:

• You must place at least one Hot Spring in your garden.

• The Nihonzaru will bathe in the Hot Spring, triggering the boost for all other pets.

Important Mechanics & Limitations:

• Each Nihonzaru requires its own Hot Spring to remain active (1:1 ratio).

• If multiple Nihonzaru share one Hot Spring, only one will activate, usually the highest-leveled one.

• Multiple active Nihonzaru can stack their boosts if each has a separate Hot Spring.

• The Hot Spring cosmetic can be purchased from the Zen Shop.

Trivia and Bug History

• The name “Nihonzaru” translates to “Japanese Macaque,” a real primate native to Japan.

• Early after release, a bug allowed two Nihonzaru to reduce certain pets’ passive cooldowns abnormally; this was fixed during the Corrupted Event update, with all affected abilities restored to normal.

• Another bug could cause a player to become “ineligible to send gifts” if they performed certain Nihonzaru-related actions; this has been partially addressed.

• Rarely, multiple Nihonzaru can bathe in the same Hot Spring and keep the ability active indefinitely, even after removing the Hot Spring. It is unknown whether this is fully patched.

• Every Nihonzaru bathes independently, which is why each needs its own Hot Spring to avoid activation conflicts.

Whether you’re hatching Zen Eggs or setting up Hot Springs for your Nihonzaru, exploring the Zen Island is a relaxing yet rewarding part of the game, and it’s a great opportunity to buy Grow A Garden items that make your garden both beautiful and powerful.