Asahiyama Zoo: Your Ultimate Guide to Hokkaido’s Most Popular Zoo

As the second most constantly visited zoo in Japan, Asahiyama Zoo offers a great place for visitors to witness the animals’ natural behaviors and showcase a little ecosystem of the zoo. You can fully interact with lovely animals and have the best exhibits at Asahiyama Zoo.

Meet waddling penguins & diving polar bears at Asahiyama Zoo, Hokkaido! Night Zoo activities and other seasonal events that you won't want to miss are waiting for your exploration.

Top Attractions & Must-See Exhibits

The Legendary Penguin Walk (Winter Highlight!)

As one of the winter highlights, the Penguin House in Asahiyama Zoo prepares the penguin parade. As one of the most popular items in the zoo, everyone would like to wait and watch this adorable penguin troop march. When walking through he 360-degree underwater tunnel, you can see them freely swimming overhead in this Penguin House.

The penguin walking starts only in the snow season (from late December to mid-March). The daily march of King and Gentoo penguins takes place in March, with their walking schedule from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm.

Caution:
Notice that it is prohibited to use flash when you take photos, which will scare penguins or cause them to panic. Please keep your flash turned off to maintain a peaceful environment for penguins.

Besides, keep a safe distance from penguins and do not cross the line. Even when they get close to you, do not touch them to make them feel comfortable walking. Follow the instructions of the staff to create a safer and more comfortable walking route for them.

The walk usually takes two times a day, and when March comes, the walk is only shown in the morning, which may change or be canceled based on weather. Check the Asahiyama Zoo official website for more details.

Polar Bear Diving Experience

Located around the Seal Pavilion sits the Polar Bear Pavilion, where you can observe a polar bear on land. The observation areas in Polar Bear House are separated into two parts so that tourists can observe them from different angles. When the mealtime hour nears, the feeder throws food into a huge pool, and polar bears will dive into it and take a powerful swim. Tourists can observe this view through the underwater tunnel.

Seal Aqua Tunnel

Many cylindrical tunnels in the Seal House allow people to see them up close from many sides, where seals swim in a spiral with diverse movements, as well as some Hokkaido fish moving up and down. They will show you a dramatic “dance” in the marina ways.

Spider Monkey & Capybara

The Spider Monkey and Capybara House creates a mixed space for these two animals. When spider monkeys move around with their fifth limb, the tail, you can see capybaras just calmly nestle around. Although it is the largest rodent in the world, capybaras tend to be shy. Whether you can see them depends on your luck.

However, that funny comparison of this ecosystem can only be observed in summer. Because both of them are afraid of cold, they live separately in winter, which offers a chance for visitors to get close distance to see them through the glass.

Red Panda & Snow Leopard Exhibits

Next to the Polar Bear house lies the Red Panda House, where some fluffy creatures with adorable expressions will appear. Two areas exist in the house as well. In one of two areas, you can see these red pandas moving around on the suspension bridge and climbing the trees. While in the other bay window type area, they sleep and eat there. When chewing time comes, you can see them munching their favorite apples and bamboo.

The snow leopards live in Moujukan with lions, the rare species Amur tigers, and Amur leopards. The facility was designed in a unique structure, which allows tourists can observe them from diverse angles.

Best Time to Visit Asahiyama Zoo

Winter (Dec–Mar)

In the winter season, penguins, the most popular star in the zoo, will proceed on the walk, showing you their unique charm, which is winter limited and draws numerous fans and animal enthusiasts to capture their likeable marching. Moreover, the Asahikawa Winter Festival will be held in February, when you can appreciate ice sculptures in various forms in this city.

Spring (Apr–May)

When springtime comes, it also comes to a Baby Boom Season, the right time for animals inside the zoo to embrace new arrivals and raise up. Species mate with each other, lay eggs, and hatch from autumn to winter. Therefore, many new life will make their debuts in the summer opening.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Summer belongs to pleasant weather, suitable for diverse types of outdoor exhibits. The Night Zoo is open during the Bon Festival period in summer, providing tourists a chance to observe animals’ behavior at night that is seldom seen during the daytime.

Autumn (Sept–Nov)

Asahiyama Zoo in autumn brings the vibrant colors and picturesque natural beauty for everyone to come here, where you can take a fall colors walk. Fewer crowds are pretty suitable for tranquility seekers to take a zoo trip while immersing in amazing scenery.

How to Get to Asahiyama Zoo

From Sapporo to Asahikawa

By Train

From Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station: About 1.5 hours via JR Limited Express to Asahikawa

From New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station: About 40 minutes via JR Limited Express to Asahikawa

Total time needed: Approximately 2 hours

By Direct Bus

From Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station: About 2 hours via the Express Bus, Chuo Bus “Zoo Liner”

From New Chitose Airport Station to Asahikawa City: About 3 hours via the Express Bus, Chuo Bus “Zoo Liner”

By Car

From Sapporo City to the Zoo: 152 km takes about 2 hours

From New Chitose Airport to the Zoo: 189 km takes about 2.5 hours via the Do-ō Expressway.

From Asahikawa Station

By Local Bus

From JR Asahikawa Station to the Zoo: About 40 minutes by local bus costs 500 yen. Take the Asahikawa Zoo Line, and board at platforms No. 41, or 47, or take the bus at the bus stop No.6 of Asahikawa Bus Station.

By Taxi

From Asahikawa Station to the Zoo: A 30-minute drive takes approximately 3,500 yen for one way.

Parking & Accessibility

There are two parking lots at two different gates:
The main gate contains about 200 units, which are free of charge.
The east gate contains about 300 units, which are free of charge.

There are other personal parking lots sitting around the main gate and the west gate, including free and paid ones. The maximum charge reaches 500 yen in a day.

The Asahikawa Zoo in Japan is generally wheelchair-friendly. Some paths and other facilities are prepared for wheel users, including ramps, accessible restrooms, and parts of scenic spots, preserving spaces for them.

Essential Tips for Visiting Asahiyama Zoo

Best Times to Avoid Crowds

The best time to visit Asahiyama Zoo is in the morning. It is recommended to arrive at opening (around 9:30 am) or weekday after 2:00 pm. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to avoid weekends and some Japanese holidays.

Ticket Prices & Discounts

Kind Regular Price Price with Special Rate for Local Resident Adult (High school students and older) 1,000 yen 700 yen Adult Group (Passport holders and Groups of 25) 900 yen 600 yen Child (Junior High School and younger) Free Free

Tip:
Entrance fees for people aged 70 and the disabled living in Asahiyama City will be reduced.

What to Bring & Facilities

What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring some snacks and water, bring warm clothes in winter, and take an umbrella in case of weather changes and protect sunlight.

Facility: Apart from various houses for animals, there are many On-site restaurants, souvenir shops, and nursing rooms inside the zoo so that tourists can buy things as souvenirs and have meals at their convenience.

Nearby Attractions

Asahikawa Ramen Village

Asahikawa Ramen Village is a collection of seven ramen shops, where you can try the best ramen in Hokkaido, featuring oily broth and thick tonkotsu pork broth, mixed with sauce and seafood dashi.

Diverse types of ramen in the village cater to the varied tastes of customers. Every ramen shop has its own characteristic recipes. Some of them will provide half sizes for those who prefer to savor different kinds of Hokkaido food, or eat less.

Ueno Farm

A 30-minute drive from Asahikawa lies the Ueno Farm, with more than 2,000 kinds of flowers, which embrace their peak blooms one by one. Ueno Farm is a British-style garden, adapted to Hokkaido's climate and natural conditions, where visitors can appreciate the seasonal beauty with the changing climate.

Some shops inside the farm offer flower seeds so that customers can pick up and purchase for their loved ones. Besides, people can enjoy the journey and eat anywhere in the garden.

Kamui Mintara (Playground of the Gods)

The indigenous people in Hokkaido, the Ainu, believe that gods transform into animals to live on the earth with men, and they call the cluster of volcanoes Kamui Mintara, which is located in Daisetsuzan National Park. There is a sculpture and some small poles nearby, offering the zone for visitors to be exposed to the Ainu culture.

FAQs about Asahiyama Zoo Hokkaido

1. How many hours do I spend in Asahiyama Zoo?

2.5–3 hours are recommended to take a full visit. It requires more time for watching feeding shows.

2. Can I visit Asahiyama Zoo in winter?

Yes. The Asahiyama Zoo is known for behavior exhibits, and tourists may have the chance to see a penguin parade. Visiting in winter can bring you an unforgettable experience, offering a view of the penguin parade in winter landscapes.

3. Are there English guides or maps?

Yes. The zoo prepares English pamphlets and relevant signage for overseas visitors.

4. Can I touch the animals in Asahiyama Zoo?

No. But there are some “Animal Ambassadors”, like rabbits, guinea pigs, and pigs, in some specific areas within the zoo to interact with tourists.

5. Is Asahiyama Zoo wheelchair-friendly?

Yes. In addition to some paths and ramps, some viewing spots for exhibits will be prepared for wheelchair users.

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