unforgettable experience for animal lovers, where you can see hundreds of fluffy foxes roaming freely in a large forest enclosure. The main highlight is the "Fox Plaza," where you can observe different species like silver, platinum, and red foxes up close, and even participate in supervised hugging sessions or buy snacks to feed them from a safe platform. While the foxes are semi-wild and shouldn't be touched outside of the designated areas, the sight of them napping in the snow or playing together is incredibly cute and perfect for photos. It’s a bit of a journey to get there, but the chance to be surrounded by these beautiful creatures in a mountain setting makes it a truly one-of-a-kind destination in Japan.
Visiting Zao Fox Village was such a unique and magical experience! Seeing over a hundred foxes roaming freely in the forest is something you can't find anywhere else. They are incredibly cute, and if you’re lucky, you might even see them curled up taking a nap in the snow, it’s absolutely picture-perfect.
The highlight for me was the "Hug a Fox" experience. It’s an extra fee, but totally worth it for the chance to hold one of these fluffy creatures! The feeding area is also great fun, as you get to see their different personalities come out when they're waiting for treats.
💡 Essential Tips for Visitors: I totally recommend buying your tickets online first or checking the shuttle bus schedule in advance to skip the long wait times in person. This place gets very crowded, especially during the winter season.
Also, keep in mind that these are semi-wild animals. Listen carefully to the safety briefing, keep your belongings secure and don't try to pet them outside the designated area. If you follow the rules, it’s a safe and unforgettable trip. It’s a bit of a journey to get there from Sendai, but for animal lovers, it’s a must-visit!
We visited Zao Fox Village with a bit of hesitation, as we had some initial concerns about the animal welfare aspect. However, we were very pleasantly surprised — those concerns turned out to be completely unfounded.
The foxes are clearly well cared for, and it was reassuring to see them in good condition, with plenty of space to roam freely. They are not overly domesticated, which actually adds to the authenticity of the experience — these are still very much wild animals, and that’s something visitors should respect.
We happened to time our arrival perfectly, just as the fox holding experience was beginning. This was very well managed by staff, with clear instructions and a calm, controlled environment. It was a truly memorable experience to be able to hold a fox — something quite unique and special.
The facility itself is relatively small, and we found that around two hours was plenty of time to see everything at a comfortable pace. The gift shop is also a highlight, offering a great range of quirky and high-quality fox-themed souvenirs.
Overall, this is a unique and worthwhile experience, especially if you’re looking for something a little different — just come with realistic expectations and an appreciation that these are wild animals, not pets.
I joined a day tour and this was our first stop. Didn't have high expectations until I found out we can hold/carry a fox (¥1000, make sure to have cash).
They were sooo cute. We were given coats to wear over our clothes. Foxes were clean and wiped with alcohol. Staff told us we cannot choose the fox color as they were introduced to the group randomly. I got a red fox and it was pretty heavy eventho they look slim lol. Staff would take photos of you and the fox.
There was also a souvenir shop before the exit.
One of the best tour activities IMO.
The "Closed" Surprise
I drove all the way from Fukushima on April 10, 2026, only to discover that the village was closed from April 7th to the 10th. Unfortunately, there was no announcement on Google Maps, which was very disappointing. I was lucky enough to be staying nearby in Togatta Onsen, so I could return the following day. However, I felt terrible for anyone who might have traveled from afar and can't manage to wait until reopening—they must have been incredibly upset by the lack of notice. I saw other cars come to the place on that day as well.
The staff at ticket counter explained very well about guidelines of safe visit. But she didn't tell the other things guests should be informed.
They hold photo sessions (with fee) where you can sit and take photos with the foxes (may be around 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM), but they only last about 30 minutes. There were no clear signs regarding this activity.
Be warned—if you leave the building after the morning session, you have to buy a new ticket if you want to come back in for the afternoon session.
The highlight is the central area where foxes roam free. While many were sleeping, the ones near the feeding station were very active. Buying food to throw to them was definitely the most enjoyable part of the visit. While there are other animal sections, they weren't particularly interesting. There is also a souvenir shop located at the exit.
To be honest, the staff seemed quite indifferent, appearing as though they were just "going through the motions." It felt like the only reason the business survives is because the foxes themselves are such a massive draw for tourists.
