Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa is open from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM (April-October) and 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM (November-March). Adult admission is 1,000 yen, children (junior high school and younger) are free. The zoo is closed from December 30 to January 1 and has irregular closures in April and November.
From Sapporo, take the JR Kamikawa bus direct to Asahiyama Zoo (1 hour 40 minutes). From Asahikawa Station, take bus route 41 or 42 to Asahiyama Zoo (40 minutes). Rental cars and taxi services are also available. The zoo provides free parking for visitors driving to Asahikawa's famous Asahiyama Zoo.
Asahiyama Zoo features polar bears, penguins, seals, red pandas, wolves, and snow leopards in innovative behavioral exhibits. Popular feeding times include polar bear feeding at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM, penguin walk (winter only) at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Check the daily schedule as feeding times may vary seasonally.
Yes, Asahiyama Zoo is exceptional in winter, offering unique experiences like the famous penguin parade from December to March. Winter visitors can see polar bears and seals more active in cold weather. Dress warmly as Asahikawa temperatures drop below freezing. The zoo's winter illuminations and snow-covered exhibits create magical photo opportunities.
Asahiyama Zoo offers multiple restaurants including Zoo Kitchen and Penguin-kan serving local Hokkaido cuisine. Facilities include gift shops with exclusive zoo merchandise, coin lockers, baby changing rooms, wheelchair rentals, and heated rest areas. The zoo also features educational centers and observation decks throughout the Asahikawa attraction.
Traveler reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
I recently visited Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) in Asahikawa and overall had a great experience. The biggest highlight was how close you can get to many of the animals. The polar bears and seals were especially impressive, and I loved the unique viewing areas that let you see them from different angles.
The zoo itself was very clean and well maintained, and the admission fee of just ¥1,000 felt like excellent value. I also enjoyed the gift shops. While some of the merchandise was expensive, I managed to find a few small plushies that were reasonably priced and much cheaper than similar souvenirs back home.
The food was surprisingly good as well. I had a hot cocoa and a small cup of fried chicken, which was juicy, moist, and delicious. I also loved the animal-shaped cookies, which were only ¥200 each. Another fun feature was the stamp stations located around many of the exhibits. Each stamp had a cute animal design, and collecting them added an extra layer of fun to the visit.
My one major complaint is that some of the enclosures for the larger animals felt too small, especially for the polar bears and grizzly bears. During my visit, I watched a polar bear pacing back and forth repeatedly, and it looked stressed. It was sad to see such a large animal confined to a relatively limited space for long periods of time.
I understand that expanding exhibits is expensive, but I genuinely hope the zoo considers making some of the larger animal habitats bigger in the future. It would be better for the animals and would make the experience even more enjoyable for visitors who care about their wellbeing.
Despite that concern, I still had a very enjoyable visit and would recommend it to anyone visiting Asahikawa. I only wish I could have visited during the winter season as well, as I imagine the zoo looks beautiful surrounded by snow.
Amazing value for money.
This is a beautifully designed zoo with a great variety of animals to see. The layout is well thought out, making it easy and enjoyable to explore.
We were impressed by the quality of the exhibits and the overall visitor experience. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best zoos we have visited and is well worth a visit for families, couples, and animal lovers alike. Highly recommended.
We really enjoyed our day at this zoo. It's very good value, only ¥1000 entry for adults, free entry for children. Lots of animals that we've not seen at other zoos such as wolves and bears, and we came closer to these animals than at any other zoo we've visited before. The staff were very friendly too, and there's free umbrellas and prams/strollers too.
Totally worth it. The animals are really cute and the entry is really cheap. We bought adult ticket,1000 yen per person. Even we didn’t buy in advance the line is pretty short.
Apart from the penguin parade, it is not that crowded. It took us several hours to walk around.
There is rest area around the zoo with food and drink machines. So it is not too tiring. We didn’t buy anything, but the food are not too expensive, you can get a meal below 1000 yen.
In the winter, many animals are not in displays but some others are really active too, penguin and polar bears are totally worth it. Also some of them are night animals, so they might not be active.
There is a show, parade and feeding, so if you want to watch, plan ahead. It’s really cute.
The exhibitions have some English translations but not a lot. So we didn’t learn much.
It is a little sad, because some of the cage seems quite small, but overall it looks like the took good care of the animals.
Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido is one of the most interesting zoos to visit, especially because of its unique and interactive enclosures. You can see the animals from different angles, making the experience feel more close and engaging.
The highlight is definitely the penguin show, where you can watch the penguins walk together up close—it’s super cute and something you shouldn’t miss, especially during winter.
The zoo is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is fun yet still natural for the animals. Overall, a great place to visit with friends or family, and a must-see if you’re in Hokkaido 🐧
