Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, Hokkaido

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo is a zoo that breeds approximately 180 species of 900 animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles. It is a healing spot of Sapporo citizens near Sapporo city area. There have been fewer visitors, but in addition to Sapporo citizens, tourists from within and outside Hokkaido have come to visit in recent years. There was a time when the number of visitors decreased, but in recent years not only Sapporo citizens but tourists from within and outside Hokkaido have come to visit.
Popular tips are events such as the Habitat exhibit as close as possible to the natural environment in which the animals live, and the “Exciting Experience for All” where you can see and feel the powerful appearance. You can enjoy the sight of lively animals, and you can see and touch them by your side.
Maruyama Zoo opened in 1951. At the beginning of the exhibition, the brown bear’s pair, ezoshika (Hokkaido deer), and eagles were only displayed in the dense primary forest. After that, the attraction of the old-fashioned zoo faded, and the number of visitors fell. Therefore, in recent years, along with breeding activities for rare animals, the methods for renovating and displaying facilities have been reviewed. A space has been created to meet such animals, and the number of visitors has gradually recovered. Maruyama Zoo continues to grow as an urban oasis near Sapporo city.
The best time to visit the Maruyama Zoo is immediately after opening or in the evening. Of course it depends on the animals, but it is recommended that you have the time to enjoy moving animals.
Conversely, nocturnal animals get up and move from afternoon to evening. The prairie dogs come out of the underground burrow after about 15:00. Also, since the Hokkaido flying squirrel does not come out until the evening, it is a very rare animal that can only be seen near the end of the day. If you have an entire day, you can see most of the animals, but if you have a limited time, it is best to visit in the morning or late afternoon.

Access from city center is easy in winter

Speaking of Hokkaido’s zoo, Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa City is very famous, but it may not be so well known that there are zoos in Sapporo as well. Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is one of the spots that are relatively easy to drop in among the many tourist attractions in Sapporo. Access from Clock Tower, TV Tower, Odori Park is easy in winter. It is a great attraction that you can quickly meet popular animals while in the city center.

You can see the animals that live in cold places acting energetically

The charm and characteristics of the zoo in Hokkaido are related to the climate of Japan. Most of the area in Japan has a temperate climate, Okinawa has a subtropical climate, and Hokkaido has a subarctic climate. In particular, it is often said that Hokkaido is close to the climate of Siberia. In other words, the zoo in Hokkaido is a spot where you can see the animals that live in cold places acting energetically.

Attracting not only parents and children but also people who stick to lifestyles

The Sapporo Maruyama Zoo opened in 1951 is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido. Renovation work is proceeding everywhere in the zoo, and the old-fashioned retro exhibition facilities and the latest exhibition facilities are standing out, creating a magical charm. Also, like Sapporo, which is known as the city of art, art-related events are often held, attracting not only parents and children but also people who stick to lifestyles.

Lesser pandas and polar bears

Lesser panda is a energetic animal in winter. During the summer, it often sleep, but it will become active during the season when the snow falls. It is a pleasure that is unique to the zoo in Hokkaido that it is possible to see the lesser panda frolics in the snow. Also, polar bears are fine in the “World Bear Pavilion” in the back of the zoo. You can see the polar bear close at hand.

Let’s take measures against cold

It is a point of caution when going to the Maruyama zoo in winter, but it is an area surrounded by mountains although it is the center of the city, so let’s take measures against cold as much as possible.

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