Asahiyama Zoo
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Why go
- Polar Bear Aquatic Park, where the bears can be seen underwater
- Totori no Mura, where birds fly freely inside a huge cage
Opening hours
Today10:30 – 15:30Show all
What's in season
- NowJan – DecA monthly zoo feature adds one new animal type each month.
- JulThe zoo marks its opening anniversary on July 1. This year is the 59th.
With kids
- The grounds include a petting zoo with a farm, where visitors can have contact with farm and pet animals.
- The penguin enclosure has a glass tunnel running through its pool, and a walk-through penguin aquarium was added.
- The orangutan trapeze is one of the newer facilities.
- The zoo holds a children's animal drawing contest, now in its 58th edition.
Know before you go
- The zoo is open every day of the week, from 10:30 to 15:30.
- It is closed from April 8 to April 28 and from October 19 to November 2.
- Admission can be paid through a travel booking service.
Tips for your visit
- The zoo covers about 15 hectares, and its sections are grouped mostly by geographic region.
- The petting zoo has a farm, and contact with livestock and pet animals is part of the visit.
- The keepers share information about the animals on the zoo's official pages, so check them before you come.
- The MYZOOKAN feature adds one more animal each month, so the monthly page changes.
Best time to visit
- The zoo opened for a summer season in fiscal 2026.
Facilities
- Information centre
- Library
- Lecture hall
- Restaurants
- Wildflower garden
Shorts
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Famous penguin parade at Asahiyama Zoo JapanHoopzReinzo
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Hands down the best zoo ever - Asahiyama ZooShoyutheWorld
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Cute Penguin Walk in Japan - Asahiyama ZooKelchan-neru
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Asahiyama zooPJMM Channel
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Asahiyama zoo in winterLinda Amatiu
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Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido Japan1001nights
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March of the penguins at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa (winter event)!Angela Huynh
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3 spots to watch the Penguin Walk in Asahiyama Zooexploringwithamelia
History
Plans for an animal park emerged in the early 1960s. Construction ran from April 1966 to June 1967 and cost 250 million yen.
- 1964Mount Asahi is chosen as the site for its geology and traffic access.
- 1966Construction begins in April.
- 1967The zoo opens on July 1 with 75 animal species.
- 1983Visitor numbers peak close to 600,000.
- 1994The zoo closes early after a gorilla and a lemur die of infection.
Show all
- 1997Masao Kosuge begins building interactive animal viewing facilities.
- 2006The steel roller coaster built to draw visitors is removed.
- 2007Visitors pass three million, behind only Ueno Zoo.
How to get there
- 40 minBusTake the Denki Kido bus from Bus Stop No. 5 outside Asahikawa train station. It runs hourly.
- 35 minBusAn hourly bus also runs from the airport to the zoo.
Sources: Asahiyama Zoo - Wikipedia · Asahikawa - Wikivoyage (see) · 旭川市 旭山動物園 · Asahiyama Zoo - Wikipedia · Zoo d'Asahiyama - Wikipedia · checked 26 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +81 166-36-1104
Questions and answers
How do I get to Asahiyama Zoo from Asahikawa train station?
Take the Denki Kido bus from Bus Stop No. 5 outside Asahikawa train station. It runs hourly and takes about 40 minutes.
How long is the bus from the airport to Asahiyama Zoo?
An hourly bus runs from the airport to Asahiyama Zoo. The trip takes about 35 minutes.
What are the opening hours of Asahiyama Zoo?
The zoo is open every day of the week, from 10:30 to 15:30. It is closed from April 8 to April 28 and from October 19 to November 2.
Can children visit Asahiyama Zoo?
Yes. The grounds include a petting zoo with a farm, where children can have contact with farm and pet animals. The zoo also holds a children's animal drawing contest.
Where is Asahiyama Zoo?
It stands in Higashi Asahikawa, on the outskirts of Asahikawa in Hokkaido. It sits on the mountain named Asahi.
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