Hokkaido's vast nature is home to a wide variety of animals. In this article, we introduce 10 highly recommended spots where you can get up close and personal with animals like polar bears, alpacas, and reindeer, perfect for family outings and sightseeing. Enjoy a special time with the animals living freely in the great northern land.

Asahikawa City's Asahiyama Zoo is famous for its unique "action exhibits," which allow visitors to observe animals' natural behaviors up close. You can see seals swimming through the Marine Way, penguins taking an underwater stroll, and polar bears making dynamic dives. It's a popular spot that attracts families from all over Japan to see the lively animals.

Maruyama Zoo, opened in 1951, was the first zoo in Hokkaido. At the Polar Bear House, you can watch the dynamic swimming of polar bears from Japan's longest underwater tunnel. The Elephant House, opened in 2019, offers a chance to learn about the daily lives of an elephant family. The zoo's red pandas and lions are also very popular with children.

Noboribetsu Bear Park features attractions like a cub kindergarten and a scholar bear show. It also offers a thrilling experience called the "Human Cage," which places you right in the middle of the bears. Other popular attractions include the world's only museum dedicated to brown bears, where you can learn everything about them, and the "Yukara no Sato," which recreates the Ainu way of life.

Viva Alpaca Farm is a hands-on farm where you can interact with alpacas in a rich natural environment. As you walk along the paths, you can watch the alpacas enjoying clover and flowers. In winter, you can enjoy frost-covered trees and snow activities like airboarding. Products made from alpaca wool are sold year-round. A café is also open on weekends, offering a relaxing time for visitors.

At this ranch, locally born and raised reindeer roam freely in a vast pasture, and visitors can interact with them directly. You can also experience a reindeer sleigh ride, and with free Santa costume rentals, you can feel just like Santa Claus. There is also a restaurant and café where you can enjoy lunch, making it a perfect place for a relaxing family day out.

At Kita-kitsune Farm, you can see Hokkaido's native species, the Kita-kitsune (Hokkaido red fox), cross foxes, and Ezo raccoon dogs living a peaceful life. The farm takes thorough measures against infectious diseases in foxes, allowing visitors to get close to them safely.

Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch is a precious spot where you can witness the natural behavior of Ezo brown bears. In addition to the cookie-feeding experience, the "Human Cage" area allows you to be at eye-level with the bears, letting you feel their immense power. Every year from Golden Week, baby bears are introduced to the public, and their adorable appearance warms the hearts of all visitors.

Ecorin Village, located in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, is an ecology-themed garden featuring an English-style garden with seasonal flowers, a campground, and the "Tomato Forest" with the world's largest tomato plant. Within the facility, the "Midori no Hiroba" (Green Plaza) has a vast farmland where up to 1,000 sheep are grazed, and visitors can interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses.

Obihiro Zoo, located in Obihiro City, is home to a diverse range of animals, including reticulated giraffes and polar bears. Popular attractions include rides like a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. There is also a lawn area for picnics, making it a great spot for families. The new "Horse Petting Stable," opened in December 2023, allows visitors to interact with horses and participate in caregiving experiences and educational events.

Located within the Obihiro Racetrack, home to the world's only "Ban'ei" draft horse racing, this spot offers a unique opportunity to interact with precious Ban'ei horses. In addition to the draft horses, you can also meet ponies, rabbits, and chickens. Visitors can enjoy feeding the Ban'ei horses and taking pony rides.

*All information is current as of July 2024.
*Please check official websites for the latest information as details may change.

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