Asahiyama Zoo

Arctic animals and winter nights at Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo has well-designed enclosures that allow you to get closer than usual to the animals. See how arctic animals such as polar bears, wolves and foxes cope with the wintry weather. From the end of December to mid-March, you can get very close to the king penguins by watching them waddle up the zoo’s iconic “penguin walk.” It is important to note that this is not a penguin performance. The walk enables the kings to exercise, as they naturally follow each other in a straight line. Walks take place two times a day.

The zoo opens to the public at night in February. Wrap up warm and enjoy the Yuki Akari Zoo Festival. Get a glimpse into the lives of the zoo's nocturnal animals by the light of handmade ice candles and pathways lit up by snow.

How to get there

You can access Asahiyama Zoo from either Asahikawa Station or Asahikawa Airport. From the station, buses to the zoo take around 45 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi takes 30 minutes. From the airport, a bus takes approximately 35 minutes.

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