Zoo · Hokkaido

Obihiro Zoo

Obihiro & TokachiMostly outdoors
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

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.

Address
2 Midorigaoka, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-0846
Closed
Open every day during the summer season (Apr 29–Nov 3, 2026). Closed Nov 4–Dec 4. In winter (Dec 5, 2026–Feb 28, 2027), open only on weekends and holidays and closed on weekdays; also closed Dec 29–Jan 3. Closed from March to Apr 28.
Highlights

Highlights

You can see reticulated giraffes at the Giraffe House, polar bears, lions, tigers, Monkey Mountain, and more. The grounds also have rides such as a Ferris wheel and a mini steam train, and the indoor play facility "Kids Land Happiness Dome" lets kids play regardless of the weather.

Hours

Opening hours

Summer season (Apr 29–Sep 30, 2026)9:00–16:30

Open every day during the season

Summer season (Oct 1–Nov 3, 2026)9:30–16:00
Winter season (weekends and holidays, Dec 5, 2026–Feb 28, 2027)11:00–14:00

Closed Dec 29, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. All rides suspended

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

Tickets

Prices & tickets

Adult¥420
Age 65+¥210

Proof of age required

High school student¥210
Junior high school age and underFree

Also free for holders of a disability certificate, etc.

Group (10+ paying visitors), adult¥340

¥170 for ages 65+ and high school students

Annual pass, adult¥800

Valid for 1 year from first use. ¥400 for ages 65+ and high school students

Ride tickets¥100 each

Book of 11 for ¥1,000; 1-day free pass ¥1,500 (excludes battery cars). Each ride takes 1–2 tickets

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

🎫 How to buy tickets
  • →No reservation or date selection needed. Buy tickets at the entrance on the day
  • →Free for junior high school age and under. Accompanying visitors of high school age and up must pay admission
  • →Rides require separate ride tickets, sold at the ride ticket booth or vending machines. An unlimited 1-day free pass is available
  • →The annual pass (¥800 for adults) pays for itself in two visits. Showing an annual pass from another zoo or aquarium in Hokkaido gets you the group rate
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓In winter the zoo opens only on weekends and holidays, 11:00–14:00. It's closed on weekdays, so plan accordingly
  • ✓Closed Nov 4–Dec 4 and from March to late April
  • ✓On rainy or cold days, use the indoor Happiness Dome play facility (free for children) and the Kids Lounge, where eating is allowed
  • ✓If you plan to ride a lot, the 1-day free pass (¥1,500) is a good deal. Rides are suspended in winter
  • ✓Parking: 80 spaces at the Main Gate and 150 in front of the South Gate (free). Overflow parking is unavailable in winter
Access

Getting there

Nearest station
  • Obihiro Station (JR Nemuro Main Line)About 16–18 min by local bus from the station. About 10 min by car from Obihiro Station
From major stations & airports
  • Obihiro Station (Tokachi Bus): Route 70 bound for "Ozora Danchi" from Bay 9; get off at "Dobutsuen-mae." Walk about 300 m uphill to the South Gate (About 18 min)
  • Obihiro Station (Takushoku Bus): Minami Shogyo Koko Line or Obihiro no Mori Line from Bay 2; get off at "Midorigaoka 6-chome Bijutsukan Iriguchi." About 600 m to the Main Gate (About 16 min)
  • Tokachi-Obihiro Airport: By car via National Route 236 (about 25 km). By bus, take the airport bus to Obihiro Station (about 40 min) and transfer (About 30 min by car)
Getting back
  • In winter the zoo is only open until 14:00. Check return bus times with Tokachi Bus or Takushoku Bus in advance
  • There's a slope from the "Dobutsuen-mae" bus stop on the South Gate side
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Spring

The summer season opens on Apr 29. The zoo is closed until then.

Summer

Open 9:00–16:30. The ride area and stands selling soft-serve ice cream and shaved ice are lively.

Autumn

From October, hours are shortened to 9:30–16:00, and the summer season ends on Nov 3.

Winter

Winter opening on weekends and holidays only, December to February, 11:00–14:00. Rides are suspended.

☂ Rainy days
Viewing is mostly outdoors. There's the indoor play facility Kids Land Happiness Dome and the indoor rest area Kids Lounge.
Heat
You'll be walking around outdoors, so bring a hat and stay hydrated. Stands sell cold treats.
Cold
Winter viewing is outdoors in the snow, and the zoo is open for only 3 hours. Part of the cafeteria and the vending machines stay open in winter.
What to wear & bring
Comfortable shoes. In winter, bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, and non-slip shoes.
Rules

Rules & what you can bring

  • !Assistance dogs (guide dogs, service dogs, hearing dogs) are admitted free of charge
  • !Rides have age and height restrictions (e.g., go-karts require 4th grade or above and a height of at least 130 cm)
Facilities

Facilities & services

Strollers & wheelchairs
Wheelchair rental available.
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance, ostomate-friendly restroom, and accessible parking. Kids Lounge has 2 nursing rooms, formula preparation facilities, and diaper-changing tables
Language support
Zoo map and website are in Japanese only
Food

Food

Must-try
Soft-serve ice cream and shaved ice (summer)Steamed meat buns and frankfurters (winter)
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Obihiro ZooPR

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Hokkaido

Zoo

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

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.

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

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.

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