tripuuu.log
Zoo · Hokkaido

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo

Asahikawa & BieiMostly outdoors
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

Run by the City of Asahikawa, this zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” which let animals show off their natural movements and abilities. It opens in separate summer and winter seasons, with closure periods in spring and autumn.

Address
Kuranuma, Higashiasahikawa-cho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8205
Closed
Closed Nov 4–Nov 10, 2026 (changeover between summer and winter seasons). Also closed over New Year (for reference, Dec 30–Jan 1 in FY2025). Spring closure from the end of the winter season until the next summer opening (FY2027 summer season opens Apr 29).
Time needed
Half a day. The official FAQ suggests at least about 3 hours (longer with breaks, as there are many slopes)
Official website
https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

Popular spots include the 360-degree underwater tunnel at the Penguin House, the cylindrical “Marine Way” tank at the Seal House, and the “Seal’s Eye” at the Polar Bear House, where you look up at polar bears from below. During the snowy winter months, king penguins parade through the zoo grounds on the “Penguin Walk.”

Hours

Opening hours

Summer season (May 1–Oct 15, 2026)9:30–17:15

Last entry 16:00

Summer season (Oct 16–Nov 3, 2026)9:30–16:30

Last entry 16:00

Winter season (from Nov 11, 2026)

Hours and end date for the FY2026 winter season not yet announced. For reference, the FY2025 winter season (Nov 11, 2025–Apr 7, 2026) ran 10:30–15:30 (last entry 15:00)

Snow Light Zoo (special winter evening opening)

FY2026 dates not yet announced. For reference, Feb 7–9, 2026 ran 10:30–20:30 (last entry 20:00)

Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.

Tickets

Prices & tickets

Adult (high school age and up)¥1,000

Scheduled to rise to ¥1,400 from Apr 29, 2027

Adult, Asahikawa resident rate¥700

Asahikawa residents (ID required). ¥800 from Apr 29, 2027

Junior high school age and underFree
Group (25+ paying visitors), adult¥900

¥1,300 from Apr 29, 2027

Omotenashi (hospitality) ticket¥1,000

For guests staying at accommodations in Asahikawa. Proof of stay required at purchase (1 night/2 days)

Asahiyama Zoo Passport (annual)¥1,400

Valid for 1 year from first visit. ¥1,600 from Apr 29, 2027

Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.

🎫 How to buy tickets
  • →No reservation or date selection needed. Buy tickets on the day at the entrance ticket window or vending machines
  • →Web tickets are sold on KKday (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese). Non-refundable after purchase, and they do not give priority entry or any reservation benefit
  • →Web tickets cannot be used at the Asahiyama Miura Garden connecting gate
  • →Ticket windows accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, Diners) and cashless payments such as PayPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay
  • →Adult admission rises to ¥1,400 from the start of the summer season on Apr 29, 2027
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The winter “Penguin Walk” takes place during the snowy period (usually late December to mid-March) at 11:00 and 14:30 (11:00 only in March). It may be canceled or rerouted depending on weather and snow
  • ✓Time your route around the “Mogumogu Time” feeding sessions with keeper talks to really appreciate the behavioral exhibits. On Sundays and holidays there’s a one-point guide from 13:30
  • ✓The zoo closes in spring (early to late April) and autumn (early November). Check the opening periods before planning your trip
  • ✓Winter hours are short (for reference, 10:30–15:30 in FY2025). Arriving in the morning is recommended
  • ✓Guests staying in Asahikawa can use the “Omotenashi ticket” (proof of stay required)
Access

Getting there

Nearest station
  • Asahikawa Station (JR Hakodate Main Line, etc.)Not within walking distance. Take Asahikawa Denkikidō bus No. 41 or 47 from stop 6 in front of Asahikawa Station, about 40 min, and get off at “Asahiyama Dobutsuen”
From major stations & airports
  • Asahikawa Station: Asahikawa Denkikidō bus No. 41 or 47 (Asahiyama Zoo Line), one way ¥670 for adults (revised Sep 1, 2026) (About 40 min)
  • Asahikawa Airport: Asahikawa Denkikidō bus No. 78 (Airport–Zoo Line), 1 round trip per day, runs weekends and holidays during the summer season, ¥840 for adults. By taxi, about 25 min and about ¥3,500 (About 35 min)
  • Sapporo Station: JR limited express to Asahikawa Station (about 1 hr 30 min), then bus from Asahikawa Station (From about 2 hr 10 min)
  • Asahikawa Station (taxi): Taxi, about ¥3,500 (About 30 min)
Direct buses & boats
Route bus No. 78 from Asahikawa Airport to Asahiyama Zoo (1 round trip per day; runs weekends and holidays during the summer season, daily from late July to mid-August. In 2026: departs airport 9:55 → arrives zoo 10:30; departs zoo 14:55 → arrives airport 15:30)
IC cards
Asahikawa Denkikidō buses accept only the Asaca and DoCARD IC cards. Nationally interoperable transit IC cards such as Kitaca and Suica cannot be used
Getting back
  • In the 2026 summer season (Apr 29–Nov 3), the last bus from Asahiyama Zoo to Asahikawa Station leaves at 17:40
  • Winter bus times differ from summer, so check the Asahikawa Denkikidō timetable in advance
  • The No. 78 bus to the airport has only one departure from the zoo, at 14:55 (limited operating days)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best time to go

Busy
Golden Week, summer vacation, Obon, and around Penguin Walk times in winter
Quieter
Weekdays, right after opening
Time needed
Half a day. The official FAQ suggests at least about 3 hours (longer with breaks, as there are many slopes)
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Spring

After the winter season ends in early April, the zoo is closed until the summer season opens (Apr 29 in 2027).

Summer

The summer season opens at 9:30. At the Children’s Farm you can interact with rabbits and guinea pigs outdoors.

Autumn

From Oct 16 the zoo closes at 16:30, and it is closed in early November (Nov 4–10 in 2026).

Winter

The winter season starts Nov 11. During the snowy period (usually late December to mid-March) you can see the Penguin Walk.

☂ Rainy days
Getting around means mostly outdoor sloping paths. Some viewing areas, such as the Penguin House and Seal House, are indoors, but overall you’ll need rain gear.
Heat
Exhibits are spread across hilly ground with lots of up-and-down walking. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
Cold
Winter viewing is mostly outdoors in the snow, and you’ll wait outside for the Penguin Walk.
What to wear & bring
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. In winter, bring warm clothing, gloves, a hat, and non-slip shoes.
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & what you can bring

  • !Re-entry generally not permitted
  • !No pets (assistance dogs allowed). Flying or filming with drones or radio-controlled aircraft prohibited
  • !Feeding the animals and flash photography aimed at animals are prohibited
  • !Outside food and drink allowed (you can eat in rest areas and outdoors). Costumes, large headgear, kick scooters, sleds, balls, tents, etc. are not allowed
Facilities

Facilities & services

Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers near each entrance (Main Gate, East Gate, West Gate) (¥400–500)
Payment
Admission ticket windows accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, Diners), PayPay, au PAY, d-barai, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and more
Strollers & wheelchairs
Strollers (about 70) and wheelchairs (about 24, including 4 power-assisted) lent free at the entrances (summer season only, first come, first served)
Accessibility
4 nursing rooms (with diaper-changing tables). The zoo is on hilly ground with many slopes. Accessible parking spaces in the free parking lot
Language support
Zoo maps available in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, and Thai. The official website has an English gateway page with a translation function
Events

Events & festivals in Asahikawa & Biei

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Hokkaido

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Aquarium

Otaru Aquarium

Hokkaido ・ Otaru / Shukutsu

Located on the coast at Shukutsu in Otaru, this aquarium consists of an indoor main building and the outdoor "Marine Mammal Park," built by partitioning off part of the Sea of Japan. It operates with different dates and hours in winter, and closes from late November to early December and from late February to mid-March.

Zoo

Obihiro Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Obihiro & Tokachi

A city-run zoo inside Midorigaoka Park in Obihiro. In addition to its summer season from spring to autumn, it opens on weekends and holidays from December to February for the winter season. Admission is free for junior high school age and under, and with its play area it's a family-friendly zoo.

Zoo

Kushiro Zoological Park

Hokkaido ・ Kushiro & Akan

A city-run zoo about 11 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. It's open year-round, so you can watch the animals in the snow in winter too. Admission is free for junior high school age and under.

Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

Aquarium

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

A marine park centered on a castle-shaped aquarium, a 5-minute walk from JR Noboribetsu Station. It exhibits about 20,000 creatures of some 400 species, making it one of the largest in Hokkaido. It's easy to stop by from Noboribetsu Onsen or New Chitose Airport.

Zoo

Noboribetsu BearPark

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

A zoo of Ezo brown bears on a mountaintop 550 m above sea level, about 7 minutes by ropeway from the center of Noboribetsu Onsen. More than 70 brown bears live here, and the round-trip ropeway fare is included in admission. The park also has a Brown Bear Museum and facilities introducing Ainu culture.

See all attractions →

Hours, prices and access are based on official and other primary sources. They may change, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-01

PRKlookAsahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk & Forest Fairy Terrace Night TourTour covering the winter Penguin Walk and the Forest Fairy Terrace at nightView