Hokkaido's Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in Japan. A winter specialty that captivates many visitors is the sight of penguins energetically walking through the snow. At this very zoo, a piece of "snow art" that can't help but make you smile has become a hot topic on social media. It's the distinct imprint of a penguin's body left in the snow, aptly named the "Penguin Print" (Pen-taku). Here's a look at this heartwarming sight.

What you see is the clear outline of a penguin's body left in the fluffy, fresh snow. It looks as though a small body stretched out as far as it could and flopped right into the snow, leaving its shape perfectly preserved. This photo has garnered comments on social media like, "This is too cute!" and "I can just picture how much fun they were having!"

A "Penguin Print" Made by an Energetic Young Penguin

Diving straight into the fluffy snow!

The person who took this photo is Shirataki, a penguin enthusiast. This shot was taken on January 2, 2026, after the famous winter event, the "Penguin Walk," during a visit to Asahiyama Zoo. After the walk, a penguin threw itself onto the fresh snow, leaving behind a distinct imprint. Upon seeing this, Shirataki felt it was just like a "penguin print," a play on the Japanese art of "gyotaku" (fish rubbing).

According to Shirataki, this "penguin print" was left by a young Gentoo penguin (a subadult) born last year. This penguin was so full of energy that it was apparently at the head of the line, eager to start the Penguin Walk.

If you visit Asahiyama Zoo in the winter, you might get to see a "penguin print" for yourself! Be sure to look for it!