Asahiyama Zoo - Hokkaido

Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) is a top-rated zoological park and wildlife conservation center located on the outskirts of Asahikawa City. It is located at Kuranuma Higashiasahikawacho in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. 

Asahiyama Zoo 

Asahiyama Zoo details

Asahiyama Zoo stands as the northernmost zoo in Japan at present. The zoo was completed and opened to the public on July 1, 1967. 

Asahiyama Zoo - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Asahiyama Zoo’s conception began in 1964 when then-Mayor Kōzō Igarashi allocated funds for the Asahiyama Zoo project and selected Mount Asahi as the site, considering its geological suitability and convenient access. Construction commenced in April 1966 and concluded in June 1967, totaling an expenditure of 250 million yen. The inauguration took place on July 1, 1967, featuring 75 species of animals, including 200 common carp. In response to dwindling attendance, a steel roller coaster was erected but later dismantled in 2006.

旭山動物園

Asahiyama Zoo tickets

Welcome to Asahiyama Zoo

To revitalize interest, the zoo's management embarked on innovative promotional strategies. Since 1997, under the leadership of chief manager Masao Kosuge, the zoo has introduced unique interactive animal viewing facilities. Beginning with "Totori no Mura" (Totori's Village), where visitors can observe birds freely flying in a vast enclosure, the zoo continued to enhance its offerings. New attractions include the Polar Bear Aquatic Park, a "walk-through" penguin aquarium, an orangutan trapeze, and a seal aquarium featuring a vertical tube for seal swimming.

Asahiyama Zoo guide map

ZOO キッチン COCOLO

Animal Spirit Monument

Animals who passed away this year

Asahiyama Zoo's Clock Tower (旭山動物園時計塔)

Presently, Asahiyama Zoo draws thousands of visitors globally, occasionally surpassing the popular Ueno Zoo in Tokyo in attendance.

This vast zoo has numerous exhibition facilities. These are the following;

Flamingo House

1. Flamingo House – This facility was completed in 1997. There are three types of flamingos on display namely the Red flamingo, the European flamingo, and the Chilly Flamingo. This facility is closed during winter.

Totori Village

2. Totori Village - This facility was completed in 1997. Enclosed by netting, the entire premises enable waterfowl to fly around unrestrictedly, offering you the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Additionally, there's an observation path within the facility, providing a close-up view of waterfowl swimming and flying. This facility is closed during winter.

Penguin Museum

3. Penguin Museum – This facility opened in September 2000. It houses four types of penguins: king penguins, gentoo penguins, Humboldt penguins, and rockhopper penguins. This facility is probably the most popular in the zoo all thanks to the “Penguin Walk” attraction. 

Seal Museum

4. Seal Museum – This facility opened in June 2004. It aims to create the ambiance of a Hokkaido fishing port with small boats and tetrapods outside, while inside, visitors can experience the wild environment of seals with exhibits like a cylindrical aquarium called "Marine Way" and a large seal tank. Additionally, there's an aquarium showcasing Hokkaido fish.

Polar Bear Museum

5. Polar Bear Museum – This facility opened in September 2002. This facility is divided into two areas. At one exhibit site, a large pool allows visitors to witness polar bears' agile swimming and diving. Meanwhile, the other location features a cage-free enclosure using a moat, allowing observation of polar bears on land. Additionally, visitors can experience polar bear viewing from a seal's perspective through the "Seal's Eye" capsule.

Moujukan

5. Moujukan – This facility opened in September 1998. The facility offers diverse viewing angles for observing lions, Amur tigers, snow leopards, and Amur leopards, allowing visitors to see them at eye level and from above. Additionally, there's a raised cage providing a unique perspective to observe snow leopards and Amur leopards from directly below.

Amphibians / Reptiles House

6. Amphibians / Reptiles House - The "Amphibians and Reptiles House" reopened on April 29, 2011, showcasing Hokkaido's amphibians and reptiles, including native and introduced species, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. The aim is to highlight the diverse creatures found in local wetlands and streams, encouraging visitors to rediscover the natural surroundings close to home, such as frogs and snakes, which may not seem extraordinary but are integral to everyday life.

Red Panda House

7. Red Panda House – This facility opened in December 2007. The facility is split into two sections: a suspension bridge side and a bay window area. A suspension bridge, elevated at 3.5 meters, allows visitors to witness the red pandas showcasing their agility as they move, climb trees, and sleep balanced on branches. Additionally, the bay window area provides a close-up view of the red pandas as they sleep and eat.

Wolf Museum

8. Wolf Museum -  completed in June 2008, offering visitors a glimpse into the natural environment of Hokkaido from a century ago. The enclosure features trees, rocky mountains, and streams, along with sika deer housed in separate cages. Within this setting, wolves display various behaviors, including running, bathing, and howling. Visitors can observe the wolves from multiple vantage points, including a 360-degree observation hall and a dome-shaped area known as "Hair's Eye," providing close-up views of the wolves. Additionally, designated areas allow for observation without barriers, allowing visitors to view the wolves from different perspectives.

Snowy Own House

9. Snowy Owl House – This facility opened in 2011. Initially, the facility housed red-crowned cranes, but after the construction of the "Red-crowned Crane House" in 2011, it transitioned into an exhibit for snowy owls. This breeding ground provides a natural environment for the animals, with their white feathers blending seamlessly with the winter snow, making them difficult to spot. Conversely, in summer, their white plumage stands out, making them easily recognizable.

Ezo Deer Forest

10. Ezo Deer Forest – This facility opened in April 2009. The "Ezo Deer Forest / Sika Deer Forest," situated next to the "Wolf Forest," aims to evoke Hokkaido's natural history while addressing the extinction of wolves and the current issue of sika deer overpopulation. Within this area, visitors can observe sika deer from various perspectives. Additionally, an artificial mountain resembling columnar joints has been constructed to showcase the deer's abilities.

Fish Owl House

11. Fish Owl House – This facility opened in April 2010. Originally, a white-tailed eagle was displayed due to the absence of Blakiston's fish owls. However, when the park opened in the summer of 2012, the exhibit transitioned to focus on the "Flat Blakiston's Fish Owl." A 7-meter tall artificial tree was installed within the facility, featuring a tree hole at the top for the owls to nest and breed. To mimic the natural habitat of the Blakiston's fish owl, fallen trees were strategically placed, and a stream and pond were added, inspired by the forests of Hokkaido.

Red-crowned Crane House

12. Red-crowned Crane House – This facility opened in April 2011. The facility offers a recreated environment reminiscent of the marshes and wetlands inhabited by red-crowned cranes. Standing at 9 meters tall, it provides ample space for visitors to immerse themselves in the biotope and observe the cranes as they forage for and consume loaches and small fish.

Ezo Brown Bear Museum

13. Ezo Brown Bear Museum – This facility opened in 2022. The outdoor enclosure, surrounded by native Hokkaido trees, offers a seasonal experience for observing Ezo brown bears. A mountain stream within the enclosure provides a glimpse of freshwater fish, with viewing areas allowing observation of underwater activity. Indoors, a single sheet of glass separates visitors from the Ezo brown bears, providing an intimate viewing experience. Signboards provided by the Shiretoko Foundation offer insights into the current status of brown bears, enhancing visitors' understanding.

Hokkaido Animal's House

14. Hokkaido Animals House – This facility opened in November 2012. The facility showcases White-tailed eagles, Steller's sea eagles, and black-tailed hawks in spacious bird cages integrated with natural trees. Plans are underway to develop exhibition spaces for owls, small birds, and small mammals within these cages, immersing visitors in a Hokkaido forest-like atmosphere.

Chimpanzee Museum

15. Chimpanzee Museum – This facility opened in August 2006. In summer, visitors can observe chimpanzees both outdoors and from the Skybridge, while in winter, observations are limited to indoor viewing. Outdoor observation allows witnessing chimpanzees engaging with diverse play equipment, showcasing their unpredictable movements. The four-sided glass atrium "Skyway" offers close-up views of chimpanzees maneuvering along ropes. Indoors, a single sheet of glass separates visitors from chimpanzees, providing an unprecedented level of proximity for observation.

16. Orangutan Museum – This facility opened in August 2001. In the summer months, visitors can watch orangutans navigating the 17-meter-tall tower and playground within the enclosure, experiencing their remarkable agility firsthand. Furthermore, the indoor facility, finished in January 2005, stands 7 meters tall and offers rock climbing holds a giant hammock, and an array of ropes for orangutans to explore and enjoy.

17. Tenagazaru Hall – This facility opened in August 2009. This facility offers an opportunity to witness the exceptional athletic prowess of white-handed gibbons. A 14-meter-high steel tower adjacent to the facility showcases their brachiating skills as they ascend, while inside, visitors can marvel at their rapid movements on ropes and iron bars. During the winter months, when white-handed gibbons prefer indoor environments due to the cold weather, visitors can observe them indoors.

Monkey House

18. Monkey House – This facility was reopened in August 2001. This facility provides an opportunity to witness the evolutionary journey of various primates such as the primitive ring-tailed lemur, Abyssinian colobus, and Brazzaguenon. The enclosure features ample play equipment, allowing visitors to observe the monkeys' lively behavior. This facility is closed during winter.

Spider Monkey and Capybara Museum

Capybara Museum

19. Spider Monkey and Capybara Museum – This facility was opened in August 2005. This facility is a unique blend of symbiosis, housing spider monkeys and capybaras, both native to Central and South America. Spider monkeys, known for using their tails as a fifth limb, coexist with capybaras, the largest rodents globally. The design resembles a tree, with spider monkeys residing at the top and capybaras at the bottom. Due to their sensitivity to cold weather, both species spend the winter indoors.

Monkey Mountain

20. Monkey Mountain – This facility opened in 1999. The facility offers diverse viewing angles of Japanese macaques, allowing observation from low to high positions. Wild macaques dedicate a significant portion of their day to foraging, prompting efforts to enrich their food-seeking activities. Despite living in groups, close observation reveals intricate social dynamics among individuals. Since the park’s reopening in the summer of 2019, the park has introduced a symbiotic exhibition featuring Japanese wild boars. 

Children's Farm

21. Children’s Farm – This facility opened in 1997. This unique space allows for direct interaction between humans and animals, providing an opportunity to experience the warmth and scent of rabbits and guinea pigs while discovering fascinating aspects of their nature. Furthermore, the completion of the second children's farm in July 2006 offers a chance to observe goats and sheep up close, with the possibility of interaction. Visitors can also observe and compare the behavioral differences between these animals.

22. Peacock House – This facility was formerly the Washitaka House. It was renovated and reopened in 2015 as the peacock house.

Hippo Museum

23. Hippo Museum – This facility opened in 2013. This facility houses hippos and ostriches, featuring both outdoor and indoor enclosures. The indoor area is linked underground to the adjacent "Kirinsha." Within the indoor hippo enclosure, visitors can observe the hippos' underwater movements from various angles, facilitated by a pool approximately 3 meters deep. Additionally, the outdoor and indoor ostrich enclosures offer opportunities for close encounters with these magnificent birds, allowing visitors to appreciate their impressive size.

Giraffe House

24. Giraffe House – This facility opened in 2013. Visitors have the opportunity to observe giraffes from multiple perspectives, including eye level and from below. Feed boxes placed throughout the enclosure allow visitors to get close to the giraffes and witness their adept feeding behaviors, whether delicately using their long tongues or nibbling leaves with a feeder stick attached to tree branches.

Asahiyama Zoo Plaza

25. Asahiyama Zoo Plaza - At the end of March 2018, the temporary express train "JR Asahiyama Zoo'' between Sapporo and Asahikawa ended its operations. This facility aimed to recreate the train’s ambiance and also promote the zoo to young kids. 

Animal Materials Exhibition Hall

26. Animal Materials Exhibition Hall - Constructed in 1983, the "Animal Materials Exhibition Hall/Animal Library" features two floors. The ground floor showcases stuffed animals and skeletal specimens, while the upper level serves as an animal library. Visitors can access free books and picture books about animals, engage in origami picture book crafting, and benefit from the assistance of library staff. Shoes are not permitted in the library area.

Hokkaido Small Animal Corner

27. Hokkaido Small Animal Corner - established in 2019, adjacent to the "Small Animal House" near the east gate stairs (commonly referred to as Yukkuri Road). It initially housed marten and Ezo raccoon dogs. In 2020, new accommodations were built for red foxes and Ezo snow rabbits, followed by the opening of the Ezo Flying Squirrel House in 2021, the park's first day/night reversal facility. Visitors can enjoy observing Hokkaido's animals up close, witnessing their varied expressions and appearances throughout the seasons. Additionally, the marten facility features a comparative exhibition of Hokkaido's native Ezo sable and the domestically introduced Hondo sable species.

Team Nicerio visits Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo has a unique-looking postal box

My family and I had the opportunity to explore Asahiyama Zoo for the first time on November 20, 2022, marking my 384th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was the highlight of our day trip to Asahikawa City. We all enjoyed the numerous facilities in the zoo. Each of us had our favorites but we all agreed that the red pandas were the cutest animal in the zoo. 

Asahiyama Zoo Admission Fees

Asahiyama Zoo's ticketing booth

To enter Asahiyama Zoo, adults (High School Students and older) need to pay 1,000 yen. Kids (Junior High School Students and younger) are FREE.

If you want to visit Asahiyama Zoo frequently and want to save money, you can avail of the “Zoo Passport”. It costs 1,400 yen. This will allow you to enter Asahiyama Zoo for one year from the date of its first usage. 

You can also use this to get discounts at other zoos in Hokkaido namely;    

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo, Obihiro Zoo, Kushiro City Zoo, Otaru Aquarium, Sunpiazza Aquarium, Noboribetsu Marine Park Nix, Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium. 

Asahiyama Zoo Operating Hours: 

The park's opening period in 2024 spans from April 27 to November 3, with varying hours depending on the season. 

During the summer, it's open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., shifting to 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October 16 to November 3. A special night zoo event is scheduled from August 10 to August 16, with extended hours until 9:00 p.m. 

Winter hours are from November 11 to April 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

The park is closed on specific dates, and potential changes due to unforeseen circumstances like infectious diseases are noted. Additionally, closure may occur if safe operation is compromised.

Why visit Asahiyama Zoo?

Asahiyama Zoo remains to be one of the most popular zoos in all of Japan. It is a must-visit destination for animal lovers, offering unique and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to observe animals from various perspectives. From playful penguins to majestic polar bears, the zoo showcases a diverse range of wildlife from around the world. Special features like the "Penguin Parade" and the "Tunnel Aquarium" add to the excitement, providing memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. Educational opportunities abound, with informative displays and demonstrations highlighting conservation efforts and animal behavior. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hokkaido's natural beauty, a visit to Asahiyama Zoo promises both entertainment and enlightenment for the whole family. 

Getting to Asahiyama Zoo

 

From Asahikawa JR Station, walk to the bus terminal in front of the station and board bus number 41 or 47. Board down at the Asahiyama Zoo bus stop. 

Travel time: 43 minutes

Fare: 500 yen

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