Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo, located in the eastern suburbs of Asahikawa, is the northernmost zoo in Japan and has become one of the most popular zoos in the country. Although the zoo is not very large, it has a good number of animals and facilities, currently housing over 700 animals, including penguins, polar bears, and various other animals. The biggest feature of Asahiyama Zoo is its human-oriented design, which ensures that animals are kept in relatively free living conditions and allows visitors to observe them up close through large glass windows.

Must-see Animals in Asahiyama Zoo

1. Penguins

Penuins in Asahiyama Zoo

There are many species of penguins here, including King Penguins, Gentoo penguins, Humboldt penguins, and Southern rockhopper penguins, all of which are adorable and very popular. Every snow season, there is a “Penguin Parade” performance, which is one of the most distinctive and popular attractions at the Asahiyama Zoo. Penguins will be led by staff along a specific route for a walk. Their wobbly walking style is absolutely adorable and will make you laugh out loud, so it's a scene that visitors absolutely cannot miss.

Performance time: Two shows every day at 11:00 and 14:00 during the snow season.
Note: There are a huge number of tourists watching penguins walk every day, so please queue up in advance.

2. Polar Bears

Polar bears are the star animals at the zoo. The polar bear enclosure at Asahiyama Zoo is huge, and visitors can observe them in natural habitat from all angles, including their movements on land and in the water. Watching the massive bodies of polar bears swimming freely in the water and strolling leisurely on land can give visitors a deep sense of the unique charm of these polar region kings.

3. Red-crowned Cranes

As Japan's national bird, red-crowned cranes hold an important place at Asahiyama Zoo. The zoo has created a special habitat for them, and they can be seen soaring through the sky or feeding gracefully in shallow water, showing their elegant temperament.

4. Hokkaido Foxes

Hokkaido foxes are a local specialty animal. In the Asahiyama Zoo, foxes live in a simulated environment of the Hokkaido mountain forest. Their clever eyes, fluffy tails, and agile movements make visitors feel the unique charm of Hokkaido's wildlife.

5. Red Pandas

In the red panda enclosure, there is a special facility called the “Red Panda Suspension Bridge,” where visitors can observe the red pandas in motion, climbing trees, and sleeping on tree trunks, as well as their adorable sleeping and eating postures.

A red panda at Asahiyama Zoo

Deer at Asahiyama Zoo

●More animals to see in Asahiyama Zoo: Flamingoes, deer, lions, tigers, sea dogs, wolves…

Recommended Visit Route

Asahiyama Zoo has three entrances: East Gate, West Gate, and Main Gate. We recommend that you enter the zoo from the East Gate, as most of the roads are downhill, which will save you more effort.

No matter which gate you enter through, we recommend that you take the counterclockwise route to tour the entire zoo, as this will not only provide a more comprehensive view but also make it easier to follow the flow of people.

Education and Interaction

At Asahiyama Zoo, great emphasis is placed on disseminating knowledge about animals and providing visitors with interactive experiences. There are designated areas for animal knowledge lectures, where staff or volunteers explain the animals' living habits, conservation status, and other related information to visitors. Additionally, it offers some areas for children's interaction, where children can learn more about animals through games, crafts, and other hands-on activities.

Tickets:

Tickets	Individual	Group tickets for 25 or more members
Adults	JPY1,000	JPY900
Children at 15 or below	Free of charge

Opening time:

Dates	Time	Last admission
January 2 - April 7	10:30 - 15:30	15:00
April 26 - October 15	9:30 - 17:15	16:00
October 16 - November 3	9:30 - 16:30	16:00
November 11 - December 29	10:30 - 15:30	15:00

Note: Closed from December 30 to January 1, from April 8 to April 26, and from November 4 to November 10.

Special Opening in 2025:

Dates	Time	Last admission
February 8 - February 10	10:30 - 20:30	20:00
August 10 - August 16	9:00 - 21:00	20:00

How to Get to Asahiyama Zoo

1. By bus

From Asahikawa Station, take bus No. 41 or No. 47, get off at Asahiyama Park Station, and walk about 500 meters (550 yards) east to the main entrance of Asahiyama Zoo. It takes about 50 minutes.

2. By taxi

From Asahikawa Station, if you take a taxi, it is recommended that you go to the east gate of Asahiyama Zoo, which takes about 25 minutes.

Recommended tour time:

2 - 3 hours

Tips for Visiting Asahiyama Zoo

1. Pets are not allowed in the zoo.
2. Do not enter fences or areas where entry is prohibited.
3. Do not frighten or feed animals.
4. After leaving the zoo, you need to buy a new ticket to reenter the zoo.
5. Do not use flash when taking photos of animals.