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[Updated for 2024] Polar bears and alpacas will be waiting to greet you! 10 spots in Hokkaido where you can meet and interact with animals

2024.07.09

Hokkaido

Many animals live in the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. Here are 10 recommended spots for family outings and sightseeing where you can get up close and personal with animals such as polar bears, alpacas, and reindeer. Enjoy spending time with the animals who live freely in the northern lands.

"Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City)" where the "behavioral exhibits" of polar bears and penguins are very popular
The polar bear house and elephant house are popular at Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo City)
Noboribetsu Bear Ranch (Noboribetsu City): The thrill of being in a "human cage" among the bears
A laid-back alpaca welcomes you at "Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town)"
Dress up in a Santa costume and experience sledding at the Reindeer Tourist Farm (Horonobe Town)
Kita Fox and Ezo Raccoon Dog Live Together at Kita Fox Ranch (Kitami City)
Experience the power of Ezo brown bears up close at Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch (Sobetsu Town)
Ecorin Village (Eniwa City) where you can interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses
Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City) is packed with playground equipment such as a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round
At the "Petition Zoo" (Obihiro City), you can feed precious draft horses and even ride ponies.

1. Cheers for polar bear and penguin "behavioral exhibits" at Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City)

Asahikawa City's Asahiyama Zoo is known for its original "behavioral exhibits," where you can closely observe the natural behavior of animals, such as seals swimming in the marine way, penguins walking underwater, and polar bears making dynamic dives. It is a popular spot visited by families from all over the country, where you can interact with lively animals.

■Business hours: ・Summer (April 27th to October 15th): 9:30am to 5:15pm (last entry 4pm) ・Winter season (November 11th to April 7th, 2025): 10:30 to 15:30 (last entry 15:00) ■Closed: April 8th to April 26th, November 4th to November 10th, December 30th to January 1st ■Admission fee: High school students and above 1,000 yen / Special admission fee for city residents 700 yen / Free for junior high school students and below ■ Location: Asahiyama Zoo, Kuranuma, Higashiasahikawa-cho, Asahikawa City Click here for map information and details of "Asahiyama Zoo"

2. Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo City): Popular for its polar bear and elephant enclosures

Maruyama Zoo is the first zoo in Hokkaido that opened in 1951. At the Polar Bear House, you can observe the dynamic swimming of polar bears from the longest underwater tunnel in Japan, and at the Elephant House, which opened in 2019, you can learn about the daily life of mother and baby elephants. The red pandas and lions that live in the zoo are also very popular with children.

■Business hours: ・March 1st to October 31st: 9:30 to 16:30 ・November 1st to the end of February: 9:30 to 16:00 (Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time) ■Closed days: ・2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month (1st and 4th Wednesday in August) ・There are certain holidays throughout the year (check the official website) ■Price: Adults 800 yen / High school students 400 yen / Junior high school students and younger free ■Address: Maruyama Zoo, 3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Click here for map information and details of "Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo City)"

3. Noboribetsu Bear Ranch (Noboribetsu City): The thrill of being in a "human cage" amongst the bears

At Noboribetsu Bear Ranch, there are attractions for bears such as a baby bear kindergarten and a scholar bear show, as well as a thrilling experience of being in the middle of the bears in the "human cage." Other popular attractions include the world's only bear museum where you can learn all about brown bears, and "Yukara Village," which recreates the Ainu lifestyle.

■Business hours: ・April 21st to October 20th: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:20) ・October 21st to April 20th: 9:30 to 16:30 (last entry 15:50) ■ Closed: Open everyday (closed when the ropeway is out of service due to strong winds or facility maintenance) ■Price: ・General: Adults 3,000 yen / Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,500 yen ・Group: Adults (10 or more): 2,600 yen / Children (10 or more): 1,300 yen *Free for children under 3 years old *The round-trip fare for the ropeway is included in the admission fee to the bear ranch. ■Address: 224 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Click here for map information and details of "Noboribetsu Bear Ranch (Sapporo City)"

4. Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town): A relaxed alpaca welcomes you

Viva Alpaca Farm is an experiential farm where you can interact with alpacas in a natural environment. While walking along the trails, you can observe the alpacas enjoying the clover and flowers. In winter, you can enjoy observing frost-covered trees and snow activities on airboards, and products made from alpaca wool are sold all year round. A cafe is also open on weekends, providing visitors with a relaxing time.

■Business hours: 10:00-16:00 (open all year round) ■Price: Adults (high school students and above): 700 yen / Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen / Infants: Free ■Address: 3733 Higashimachi, Kenbuchi-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, former site of Vivacalas Ski Resort Click here for map information and details of "Viva Alpaca Ranch (Kenbuchi Town)"

5. Experience a sleigh ride in a Santa costume at the Reindeer Tourist Ranch (Horonobe Town)

The ranch is home to a large number of reindeer that were born and raised locally and live freely on the ranch, allowing visitors to interact with them directly. There is also a reindeer sled experience, and Santa costumes are available for free rental, so you can really feel like Santa Claus. There is also a restaurant and cafe where you can enjoy lunch, allowing you to spend a relaxing time with your family.

■ Business hours: 9:00-17:00 ■Closed days: Every Monday, New Year's holidays (if Monday is a public holiday, the following day will be closed) ■ Fee: Free (Reindeer sledding experience: Adults 510 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 210 yen / Preschoolers free) ■Address: 398-1 Kitashin, Horonobe-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido Click here for map information and details of "Reindeer Tourist Ranch (Horonobe Town)"

6. Kita Fox Ranch (Kitami City): Where Red Foxes and Hokkaido Raccoon Dogs Live Together

At Kita Kitsune Ranch, Hokkaido's endemic species, the red fox, the cross fox, and the Hokkaido raccoon dog, live leisurely. We take strict measures to prevent infectious diseases in the red foxes, so you can get up close and personal with the foxes.

■Business hours: ・Summer (May to end of October): 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry time 16:30) ・Winter season (November to end of April): 9:00 to 16:00 (last entry time 15:30) ■Closing days: Open all year round ■Price: Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen / Junior high school students 400 yen / Elementary school students 300 yen / Toddlers free ■Address: 52-1 Hanaoka, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido Click here for map information and details of "Kitsune Ranch (Kitami City)"

7. Experience the power of Ezo brown bears up close at Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch (Sobetsu Town)

Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch is a rare spot where you can see the natural behavior of Ezo brown bears. You can experience feeding them with cookies, and in the "human cage" area you can feel their power as you are at eye level with the bears. In addition, every year from Golden Week, baby bears are unveiled, and their cute appearance warms the hearts of visitors.

■ Business hours: 8:30-17:00 *During the New Year holidays, December 31st 9:00-15:00, January 1st 10:00-15:00 ■Closing days: Open all year round ■Price: Junior high school students and above: 900 yen / 6 years old and above: 500 yen ■Address: 183 Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido Click here for map information and details of "Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch (Sobetsu Town)"

8. Ecorin Village (Eniwa City): Interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses

Ecorin Village is an ecological theme garden located in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, and features an English-style garden with flowers blooming throughout the seasons, a campsite, and the "Tomato Forest" with the world's largest tomato plant. The "Green Square" within the facility is a vast expanse of farmland where up to 1,000 sheep graze, and visitors can interact with alpacas, llamas, and miniature horses.

■ Business hours ・Normal period (April 27th - October 14th): 9:30-17:00 ・Autumn/winter period (October 15th to April 26th): 9:30 to 16:00 ■Admission fees (Galaxy Garden & Midori Farm): Adults (high school students and above) 1,200 yen / Children (junior high school students and below) 600 yen / 65 years and older 1,000 yen / Disabled people and caregivers 600 yen ■Closed: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June *No fixed holidays from July onwards ■Address: 277-4 Makiba, Eniwa City, Hokkaido Click here for map information and details of "Ecorin Village (Eniwa City)"

9. Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City): Full of playground equipment such as Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds

Obihiro Zoo is located in Obihiro City and is home to a variety of animals, including reticulated giraffes and polar bears. Popular attractions include the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. There is also a lawn area where you can eat, making it a great place for families. The Horse Petting House, which opened in December 2023, allows visitors to interact with horses and also hosts horse-raising experiences and educational events.

■ Business hours ・Summer: April 27th to September 30th 9:00-16:30 ・Autumn: October 1st to November 4th 9:30-16:00 ・Winter: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only, December 1st to February 25th 11:00-14:00 (Closed December 29th to January 3rd) ■Price: Adults 420 yen / High school students and those aged 65 and over 210 yen / Junior high school students and younger: Free ■Closed: New Year's holiday (December 29th to January 3rd) Open throughout the rest of the opening period ■Location: Midorigaoka Park, Midorigaoka 2, Obihiro City Click here for map information and details of "Obihiro Zoo (Obihiro City)"

10. Feed the precious draft horses and experience riding ponies at the "Petition Zoo" (Obihiro City)

Located inside Obihiro Racecourse, the only place in the world where "Ban'ei Horse Racing" is held, this is a spot where you can interact with precious Ban'ei horses. In addition to the Ban'ei horses, you can also interact with ponies, rabbits, chickens, and more. You can feed the Ban'ei horses and enjoy a pony riding experience.

■ Business hours: From the time the Obihiro Racecourse opens until 17:00 ■ Closed: Every Tuesday ■ Admission: Free ■Location: 13-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido (inside Obihiro Racecourse) Click here for map information and details of "Fureai Zoo (Obihiro City)"

*All information listed is current as of July 2024. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.