What to know
Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園, Asahiyama Dōbutsuen) is a wildly popular zoological garden located just outside central Asahikawa City in Hokkaido. Its fame comes from creative enclosures that let visitors see animals from many angles, some unique to this zoo.
Highlights include a glass tunnel through the penguin pool, offering underwater views of the birds in flight, and small glass domes inside the polar bear and wolf exhibits that bring you right into the animals' space. The zoo was also among the first to host winter penguin walks. New exhibits and upgrades are always in progress.
Animals on display include Hokkaido's native wildlife—deer, eagles, cranes, and the now-extinct wolf—alongside species from around the world like polar bears, apes, big cats, and giraffes. To avoid crowds, try visiting on weekdays or outside holidays.
Some unique enclosures at Asahiyama Zoo:
Take bus number 41, 42, or 47 from Asahikawa Station to the zoo. The one-way trip takes 40 minutes and costs 500 yen. Buses run about twice per hour.
By car, the zoo is about a 30-minute drive from central Asahikawa. A taxi costs around 3000–4000 yen one way.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Late April to mid October: 9:30 to 17:15 (entry until 16:00)
- Closed
- April 8 to 28 (or the beginning of Golden Week, whichever occurs first)
- Admission
- 1000 yen (~$6.4)
- English name
- Original name
- Asahiyama Zoo
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.