Experience The Charms Of Winter In Hokkaido At The Asahiyama Zoo, Japan's Northernmost Zoo!

The Asahiyama Zoo, officially referred to as the Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo, is a distinguished visitor attraction in Hokkaido, Japan. Not simplest popular amongst Japanese site visitors however additionally nicely-obtained by using travelers from abroad. The zoo has been designed with awesome care to exhibit the animals of their herbal settings, supplying a close-to-wild experience for both kids and adults.

In the Nineteen Nineties, the Asahiyama Zoo confronted a decline in the quantity of site visitors, with attendance losing to as low as 260,000. However, with progressive ideas and new facilities, the zoo experienced a magnificent transformation over the years. Today, the name "Asahiyama Zoo" is extensively diagnosed each in Japan and internationally.

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Japan's Northernmost Attraction! Asahiyama Zoo

The Asahiyama Zoo has pioneered a completely unique method called "Behavioral Exhibits" that brings out the awesome skills of each animal. It creates environments as close to the wild as feasible, encouraging the animals to be extra lively and release their pressure. Visitors can have a look at round one hundred ten species of animals, such as bloodless-resistant Arctic animals, taking benefit of Asahikawa's climate.

The zoo stays open throughout the 12 months, but it operates in exclusive modes, "Summer Season" and "Winter Season," to make certain the properly-being of the animals.

Winter Wonderland at the Asahiyama Zoo

Winter season lasts from mid-November to early April. While there is distinctly much less snow in November and December, the world turns entirely white and silver from January to March.

One of the attractions at some stage in this time is observing the animals play energetically inside the bloodless weather. For bloodless-resistant animals, wintry weather is a more cushty and energetic season. However, traffic have to get dressed warmly. January is the coldest month in Asahikawa, with a mean temperature of -7°C, which might be unexpected for those coming from warmer areas.

When travelling the Asahiyama Zoo in wintry weather, it is crucial to put on warm garb, hats, earmuffs, and contend with your shoes. Snowy paths can be slippery, so sporting anti-slip snow boots or water resistant sports footwear is beneficial.

What Animals to See in Winter?

At the Asahiyama Zoo, numerous animals are only seen throughout iciness, making it an top notch time to go to. Here are multiple motives to explore this unique zoo at Japan's northernmost factor:

1. Waddling Penguins in a Snowy Wonderland

Penguins are synonymous with the Asahiyama Zoo in the course of wintry weather. The zoo is domestic to 4 penguin species: King Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Humboldt Penguins, and Rockhopper Penguins.

While the Penguin House is popular even in summer season, the "Penguin Parade" event, wherein penguins waddle within the snow, is a special appeal in the course of wintry weather. This occasion runs two times each day from December to snow-rich March and as soon as every day in April. If the penguins are in the mood, they may show their lovable line-on foot behavior on the pristine snow.

You would possibly even witness penguins sliding on their bellies across the snowy floor. It's vital to secure a very good viewing spot by means of arriving on time, particularly in the afternoon while there are fewer visitors.

2. Relaxed Spotted Seals inside the Ice Floe Square

Spotted seals, recognised for his or her silver-grey bodies with black and white speckled patterns, are a exclusive species. They provide delivery and raise their doggies on ice floes as they tour southward across the Sea of Okhotsk, accomplishing Hokkaido.

In the Asahiyama Zoo, creating a snug surroundings for the animals is a top precedence. When the cold wave hits Asahikawa, the zookeepers have created the Ice Floe Square on the Seal Museum.

The museum houses spotted seals. In the wild, spotted seals provide delivery, nurture their offspring, and rest on ice floes. However, because the pool water circulates and does no longer clearly freeze, the Ice Floe Square becomes a important synthetic addition for the seals.

With the Ice Floe Square in region, you may study noticed seals leisurely frolicking on the ice.

3. Active Polar Bears in Winter!

Polar bears, often visible lounging inside the summer time, end up particularly lively in the wintry weather, announcing, "This is my season!"

Polar bears have incredible bloodless resistance due to their huge bodies included in white fur and about 10 centimeters of subcutaneous fats. They additionally own a streamlined frame shape, making them first rate swimmers. Even in temperatures beneath freezing, they dive into the pools, stuffing food into their mouths to get via the iciness.

The polar bears' stage of pastime is simply awesome. Feeding times for polar bears may additionally vary relying at the day, so it's really useful to test the schedule upon entry or on the official website.

4. Fluffy and Adorable Arctic Foxes in Snow-White Coats

As the call indicates, Arctic foxes inhabit the Arctic regions. This precious animal can most effective be seen in 3 places in Japan: Asahiyama Zoo, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, and Miyagi Zao Fox Village.

Arctic foxes flip grey inside the summer and white in the winter, so don't leave out their feeding time. This is because they usually continue to be nevertheless, besides whilst it is mealtime whilst they come out with their wagging tails.

5. Playing Hide and Seek in the Snow? Snowy Owls

Snowy owls beautifully combination into the natural white snowy landscapes. When visiting the Snowy Owl enclosure, the primary issue you need to do is look for the snowy owls. They are absolutely white, making them nearly indistinguishable from the snow.

Snowy owls are really lively for the duration of the day but may be challenging to spot. Their herbal camouflage leaves a profound affect, and make sure to observe the face that makes it seem like they may be usually asleep!

6. You Might Even Encounter the Snowy Fairy - Long-Tailed Rosefinch

At Asahiyama Zoo, many animals inhabit the vicinity, so it's essential to live alert even whilst moving around. Asahiyama Zoo boasts wealthy herbal landscapes, and in case you're lucky, you may even encounter the Long-Tailed Rosefinch, regularly known as the "Cute Bird Spirit" or the "Snow Fairy."

It's stated that those birds on occasion live inside the park's trees, using their tiny legs!

Asahiyama Zoo also capabilities greater charming animals along with raccoons, mountain hares, Japanese macaques, reindeer, and more. When you visit with your own family, you're positive to experience the zoo's particular charm.

How to Get to Asahiyama Zoo?

Taking a bus to Asahiyama Zoo could be very handy, even on snowy days.

There is a bus from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo once each day, and buses go away from Asahikawa Station each 30 minutes. Regardless of the direction, the adventure takes about 40 mins, making it very convenient.

It's recommended to use Skyscanner to examine discounted airfares to Asahikawa Airport.

Please be aware that services can be suspended or schedules may additionally alternate due to site visitors conditions or different elements. Throughout the day, there are buses that flow into among Asahikawa Station and the zoo, themed around Asahiyama Zoo.

From Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo:

Route	Bus	Price	Time	Remarks
Asahikawa Station ～ Asahiyama Zoo	Asahiyama Zoo Line 41 or 47 (Asahikawa Denkikido Bus)	500円	About 40 minutes	Bus schedule
Asahikawa Airport ～ Asahiyama Zoo	Asahiyama Zoo Line 78 (Asahikawa Denkikido Bus)	650円	About 35 minutes	Bus schedule

From Sapporo city or New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo

Transport	Route	Time	Remarks
JR	Sapporo Station～Asahikawa Station	About 1.5 hours	Transfer and fare information (JR Hokkaido Home page)
JR	New Chitose Airport～Sapporo Station	About 40 minutes	Transfer and fare information (JR Hokkaido Home page)
Daisetsu Liner bus	Sapporo Station～Asahikawa Station	About 2 hours	Highway Asahikawa (Hokkaido Chuo Bus website)
Daisetsu Liner bus	New Chitose Airport～Asahikawa city	About 3 hours	Heavy Snow Liner (Asahikawa Tram Home Page)