Kid-Friendly Hokkaido: 3 Spots Where You Can Interact with Animals
Blessed with abundant natural resources, Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, is home to lots of animals. If you’re visiting the area soon and are traveling with children (or just fascinated with all creatures great and small), do include these three places in your itinerary.
1) Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City)
Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa City is said to be one of the most famous zoos, not only in Hokkaido but in the whole of Japan. The zoo is known for its behavioral exhibitions that show and encourage animals to behave naturally, the way they would in their ecosystems.
One of the most popular events in this zoo in Hokkaido is the seal behavior performance. Here, you can observe seals swimming vertically in a 1.5-meter-diameter columnar aquarium called the Marine Way, which is spacious enough for two.
Feeding (or mogu-mogu) times are another popular attraction in Asahiyama Zoo. This is when you can observe the natural behavior of animals while they eat.
Make sure to catch polar bears in their feeding hour to see how they swim deftly in the water to catch their food. Of course, penguins during mogu-mogu time are also a delight to watch. See them swallow their fish whole!
Facility Information
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Name: Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo December 30 - January 1: Closed |
2) Kitakitsune Farm (Kitami City)
Located at Onneyu Onsen in Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City, Kitakitsune Farm is another kid-friendly Hokkaido attraction. In this popular animal place, you’ll find furry, four-legged residents native to the land.
The farm is named for the red foxes it cares for. They are quite a unique fox subspecies as they are characterized by their light brown fur with black markings around their ankles and backs of their ears. These foxes live in many areas throughout Hokkaido.
Kitakitsune Farm is home to about 50 or so red foxes. Unlike in a regular zoo, the foxes aren’t placed in a cage; instead, they’re allowed to roam freely. So simply stroll along the park’s promenade and you’ll soon meet cute red foxes up close. If you’re lucky when you visit around May to June, you may even encounter newborn foxes!
Looking at adorable animals getting along can be relaxing!
Though this zoo in Hokkaido is known for its foxes, it’s also inhabited by Ezo tanuki. Otherwise known as raccoon dogs, Ezo tanuki are native to some areas of the prefecture. Perhaps it’s why they coexist peacefully with the foxes. Looking at these two adorable animals getting along leaves you with a heart-warming feeling.
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Name: Kitakitsune Farm |
3) Northern Horse Park (Tomakomai City)
Northern Horse Park in Tomakomai City is a horse-themed amusement park that both adults and kids will enjoy. This attraction in Hokkaido offers various activities: You can watch Japan's first-ever pony show, ride a horse, and see a former racehorse.
In particular, don’t miss the Happy Pony Show that’s usually held two to three times a day. Not only can you watch the ponies in a variety of performances, you can also participate in some of them!
While you’re here, you can also enjoy the nature of Hokkaido on horseback as Northern Horse Park has horses that can take you around the area. See the park’s lush greenery on horseback. First time riding a horse? Fret not, because beginners like you can sightsee on a horse-drawn carriage, or saddle up and go horseback riding guided by the staff!
Before you leave, make sure to get souvenirs to remind you of your great time here. For a sweet treat that you can take home, try the park’s Horse Shoe Cookie that you can snack on when you return home.
Facility Information
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Name: Northern Horse Park |
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