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Polar bears and alpacas will welcome you! 10 Spots to Meet and Touch Animals in Hokkaido
Hokkaido's magnificent nature is home to many animals. In this issue, we will introduce 10 spots where you can meet and interact with polar bears, alpacas, reindeer, and other animals that we recommend for family outings and sightseeing. We hope you will enjoy your time with animals living freely in the northern lands.
- Polar bears and penguins are very popular at Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City)
- Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo City), popular for its polar bear pavilion and elephant house
- North Safari Sapporo, an ultra-experiential animal theme park where visitors are "entirely responsible for their own actions".
- Noboribetsu Bear Farm (Noboribetsu City), a thrilling "human cage" that leads out into the middle of the bears
- Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town), where you will be greeted by a relaxed-looking alpaca.
- Reindeer Ranch (Horonobe Town), where you can experience sledding in a Santa costume.
- Kita Kitsune Ranch (Kitami City), where foxes and raccoons live together.
- Showa Shinzan Bear Farm (Sobetsu Town)" where you can experience the power of Ezo brown bears up close.
- Ecorin Village (Eniwa City), where you can interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses.
- Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City)" with a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and other playground equipment.
Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City): Polar bears and penguins in action
Asahikawa City's Asahiyama Zoo is known for its creative "behavior exhibits" that allow visitors to observe the natural behavior of animals up close, such as seals swimming in a marine way, penguins walking underwater, and polar bears dynamically diving. This popular spot attracts families from all over the country, and visitors can interact with the lively animals.
■Opening hours:
Summer (April 27-October 15): 9:30-17:15 (last admission at 16:00)
Winter (November 11 - April 7, 2025): 10:30 - 15:30 (last admission at 15:00)
Closed: April 8 - April 26, November 4 - November 10, December 30 - January 1
Fees: High school students and older: 1,000 yen / Special fee for citizens: 700 yen / Junior high school students and younger: free
Location: Asahiyama Zoo, Kuranuma, Higashi-Asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa-shi, Asahikawa
Click here for map information and details of Asahiyama Zoo.
2. Polar bear house and elephant house are popular "Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo)
Maruyama Zoo was the first zoo to open in Hokkaido in 1951. At the Polar Bear Pavilion, visitors can observe the dynamic swimming of polar bears through the longest underwater tunnel in Japan, and at the elephant house opened in 2019, visitors can learn about the daily lives of elephant parents and children. The park's red pandas and lions are also very popular with children.
■Opening Hours:
March 1-October 31: 9:30-16:30
November 1 to the end of February: 9:30 to 16:00
(Last admission 30 minutes before closing time)
Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month:
The 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month (the 1st and 4th Wednesdays in August)
There are specific closing days throughout the year (check the official website).
Admission: Adults 800 yen / High school students 400 yen / Junior high school students and younger free
Location: Maruyama Zoo, 3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Click here for map information and details of Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo )
3. "North Safari Sapporo," a theme park where visitors can experience animals at their own risk
North Safari Sapporo is popular for its direct contact with a variety of animals. Some of the experiences are a little bit dangerous, such as wrapping the neck of a giant snake around your neck, which is done at your own risk. Other activities such as zip-lining and barbecue, and animal glamping where you can stay overnight with the animals, make this a facility that can be enjoyed by the whole family and the animals.
■Opening hours:
January 22-March 20: 10:00-16:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
April 26-June 30: 10:00-17:00 weekdays, 9:00-17:00 weekends and holidays
July 1-August 31: 9:00-17:00 weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Weekdays: 10:00-17:00, Weekends & Holidays: 9:00-17:00
■Closed: March 21 - April 25, December 1 - January 4, 2025
*Temporary closure may occur.
■Fees:
Summer (April 26-November 30): Junior high school students and older: 1,900 yen / Elementary school students and younger: 700 yen
Winter (January 5 - March 20): Junior high school students and older: 1,300 yen / Elementary school students and younger: 600 yen
Free for children under 2 years old
Location: 469-1 Toyotaki, Minami-ku, Sapporo
Click here for map information and details of North Safari Sapporo
4. Noboribetsu Bear Farm (Noboribetsu City): The "human cage" in the middle of the bears is a thrilling experience.
In addition to attractions for bears such as a kindergarten for cubs and a scholar bear show, Noboribetsu Bear Farm offers a thrilling experience called the "human cage," where you get to stand in the middle of the bears. Also popular are the world's only museum dedicated to bears, where you can learn all about brown bears, and Yukara no Sato, which recreates the lifestyle of the Ainu people.
■Opening hours:
April 21-October 20: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:20)
October 21-April 20: 9:30-16:30 (last admission at 15:50)
Closed: Open daily (closed when ropeway is closed due to strong winds or facility maintenance)
■Fees:
General: Adults: 3,000 yen / Children (4 years old to elementary school students): 1,500 yen
Groups: Adults (10 or more): 2,600 yen / Children (10 or more): 1,300 yen
*Free for children under 3 years old
Round-trip ropeway fare is included in the admission fee to the bear farm.
Location: 224 Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido
Click here for map information and details of Noboribetsu Bear Farm (Sapporo)
5. "Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town)" where you will be greeted by a relaxed-looking alpaca.
Viva Alpaca Farm is a hands-on ranch where visitors can interact with alpacas in a rich natural environment. Visitors can observe the alpacas enjoying clover and flowers as they walk along the trails. In winter, visitors can enjoy tree ice viewing and snow activities on airboards, and products made from alpaca hair are sold year-round. A coffee shop is also open on weekends, offering visitors a relaxing experience.
Hours of operation: 10:00-16:00 (open year-round)
Fees: Adults (high school students and older): 700 yen / Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen / Infants: free
Location: 3733 Higashi-machi, Kenbuchi Town, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, former site of the Viva Colas Ski Area
Click here for map information and details of Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town)
6. "Reindeer Sightseeing Ranch (Horonobe-cho)" where you can experience sledding in a Santa costume.
Local reindeer, born and raised in the area, live freely on a large ranch, and visitors can interact with them directly. Visitors can also experience reindeer sleighing and feel like Santa Claus with free rental of Santa costumes. There is also a restaurant and cafe where you can enjoy lunch and spend a relaxing time with your family.
Hours of operation: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays, Year-end and New Year holidays (if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following day)
Fee：Free (Reindeer sledding experience: Adults 510 yen / Elementary/Junior high school students 210 yen / Preschool children free)
Location: 398-1 Aza Kitashin, Horonobe-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido
Click here for map information and details of "Reindeer Sightseeing Farm (Horonobe-cho )
7. Kita Kitsune Ranch (Kitami City), where foxes and Ezo raccoons live together
Kita Kitsune Ranch is where Hokkaido's endemic foxes, crossbilled foxes, and Ezo raccoons live together in a relaxed atmosphere. The ranch is well-prepared for fox infections, and visitors can get up close and personal with the foxes.
■Opening hours:
Summer (May to end of October): 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Winter (November to end of April): 9:00 - 16:00 (last admission at 15:30)
Closed: Open year-round
Fees: Adults (high school students and older): 500 yen / Junior high school students: 400 yen / Elementary school students: 300 yen / Infants: free
Location: 52-1, Hanaoka, Rube Shibe-cho, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido
Click here for map information and details of Kita Kitsune Farm (Kitami City)
8. Showa Shinzan Bear Farm (Sobetsu Town), where you can experience the power of the Ezo brown bears up close.
Showashinzan Bear Farm is a rare spot where you can witness the natural behavior of Ezo brown bears. Visitors can experience feeding the bears with cookies, and in the "human cage" area, visitors are in the same line of sight as the bears, so they can feel the power of the bears. In addition, every year from Golden Week, cubs are unveiled, and their adorable appearance soothes the hearts of visitors.
Hours of operation: 8:30-17:00
Year-end and New Year's holidays: December 31, 9:00-15:00; January 1, 10:00-15:00.
Closed: Open year-round
Fees: Junior high school students and older: 900 yen / Children 6 and older: 500 yen
Location：183 Aza-Showa-Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido
Click here for map information and details of Showashinzan Bear Farm (Sobetsu-cho )
9. "Ekorin-mura (Eniwa City)" where you can touch alpacas, llamas and miniature horses.
Ecological theme garden located in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, including an English-style garden with seasonal flowers, a campground, and "Tomato Forest" with the world's largest tomato tree. The "Midori-no-hiroba" (green open space) within the facility features a vast farmland where up to 1,000 sheep graze, and visitors can interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses.
■Opening Hours
Regular season (April 27-October 14): 9:30-17:00
Autumn and Winter (October 15-April 26): 9:30-16:00
Admission (Ginga Garden & Midori no Ranch): Adults (high school students and older): 1,200 yen / Children (junior high school students and younger): 600 yen / People 65 years old and older: 1,000 yen / People with disabilities and caregivers: 600 yen
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays in June
*No closed days from July onward.
Location: 277-4 Pasture, Eniwa City, Hokkaido
Click here for map information and details of "Ekorin-mura (Eniwa City)
10. "Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City)" with a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and other playground equipment
Obihiro Zoo is located in Obihiro City and is home to a wide variety of animals, including Amime giraffes and polar bears. Popular attractions include a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other playground equipment. The "Horse Petting Barn," which was newly established in December 2023, allows visitors to interact with horses, and offers hands-on breeding experiences and educational events.
Hours of operation
Summer: April 27 to September 30, 9:00-16:30
Autumn: October 1 through November 4, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Winter: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only, December 1 through February 25, 11:00 - 14:00 (closed December 29 through January 3)
Fees: Adults: 420 yen / High school students and seniors over 65: 210 yen / Junior high school students and younger: free
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29-Jan. 3); otherwise, the park is open every day during the year.
Location: Midorigaoka Park, 2 Midorigaoka, Obihiro City
Click here for map information and details of Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City)
All information is current as of July 2024.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.
