Zoos and farms in Hokkaido! Recommended facilities by genre
Hokkaido is home to zoos that are featured in many media outlets. From nationally famous zoos to those specializing in specific animals like the Ezo brown bear, Ezo red fox, chipmunk, and reindeer, these unique zoos are a hallmark of Hokkaido.
Due to the heavy snowfall in Hokkaido, operating hours vary between summer and winter, and some zoos may close during the winter season. Be sure to check the official websites before planning your visit!
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
This is Hokkaido's most popular zoo!
- Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
- Located within lush Maruyama Park and just about 30 minutes from central Sapporo, Maruyama Zoo offers easy access and a nature-f…
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- Kuriyama Park Nakayoshi Zoo
- The zoo is located on the grounds of Kuriyama Park, which also has a playground, SL Plaza, barbecue area, and campground. Visitors can feed rabbits, ponies, goats, and Ezo sika deer. Admission is free!
- Kuriyama Park Nakayoshi Zoo (Japanese site)
- Asahiyama Zoo
- This zoo is famous for its "behavioral displays," creating comfortable spaces tailored to the animals' ecology and…
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- Obihiro Zoo
- The zoo has long been loved by many people, including locals, as the second zoo in Hokkaido after the Sapporo Maruyama Zoo. The zoo also houses large animals such as giraffes and polar bears. The zoo also has a Ferris wheel and other facilities for family fun.
- Obihiro Zoo (Japanese site)
- Kushiro City Zoo
- This zoo boasts the largest area in Hokkaido. You can encounter various animals throughout the seasons, including Blakiston's fish owls and red-crowned cranes. The adjacent "Red-crowned Crane Conservation and Breeding Center" is unique to Eastern Hokkaido. With an amusement park on-site, the zoo offers all-day fun for the whole family.
- Kushiro City Zoo (Japanese site)
- Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden
- At the monkey mountain located outside the Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunokawa Onsen, visitors can see smiling Japanese monkeys soaking in a special hot spring and grooming each other from December until the Golden Week holidays in May.
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You can meet Ezo brown bears! Bear Ranch
- Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch
- At Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch, you’ll have the chance to meet charming and playful Hokkaido brown bears up close. Inside thi…
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- Noboribetsu Bear Park
- Meet about 100 powerful yet charming Ezo brown bears at Noboribetsu Bear Park, located at the summit of Shihorei (commonly known…
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- Sahoro Resort Bear Mountain
- This facility allows visitors to see Hokkaido's representative wild animals, the Ezo brown bears, up close and safely. The s…
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Let's go see animals unique to Hokkaido!
- Ezo red fox farm
- More than 60 Ezo red foxes roam freely in a setting close to their natural habitat. You can observe their adorable behavior, such as grooming and napping, up close from the walking paths. In spring, you can also see newborn foxes in a special cage dedicated to kits.
- Ezo red fox farm (Japanese site)
- Okhotsk Chipmunk Park
- You can see many chipmunks at the Okhotsk Chipmunk Park located on the shores of Lake Abashiri. They are very cute and come close to you when you try to feed them, so you can spend a relaxing time with them.
- Abashiri Tourist Association
There is more! Facilities where you can meet animals
- Northern Horse Park
- Within the spacious grounds, about 80 horses reside freely, including ponies and retired racehorses. A wide variety of hands-on …
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- Heidi Farm
- Sheep, horses, and goats graze peacefully in the wide pastureland that stretches across the valley to the mountains beyond, and the magnificent scenery that can only be found in Hokkaido will soothe your soul. There is a rich menu of hands-on activities, and visitors can interact with a variety of animals, including cows, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
- Heidi Farm (Japanese site)
- Horonobe Reindeer Ranch
- Come and visit Horonobe Reindeer Ranch and enjoy seeing and feeding reindeer all year round for free! While here, be sure to che…
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