The Success of Behavioral Exhibits
Since 1997, Asahiyama Zoo has become widely known for its behavioral exhibits. Following the completion of Totori-no-mura (Bird Village) in 1997, the zoo continued opening innovative new facilities almost every year, attracting increasing numbers of visitors.
The opening of the Seal Pavilion in 2004 was a major turning point. The zoo became one of Japan’s most popular zoological attractions and recorded the country’s highest monthly visitor numbers at the time.
Mixed-Species Exhibits
Asahiyama Zoo also uses mixed-species exhibits, in which different animals share the same environment. Examples include harbor seals with Steller’s sea eagles and slaty-backed gulls, Geoffroy’s spider monkeys with capybaras, and Japanese macaques with Japanese wild boars.
These exhibits are designed to create more stimulating environments and encourage natural interactions between different species, while also helping to reduce stress associated with living in captivity.
The History of Asahiyama Zoo
From Opening to Renewal
Asahiyama Zoo opened on July 1, 1967, initially housing 505 animals representing 75 species. During Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, annual visitor numbers increased steadily. However, visitor numbers began to decline after reaching a peak in 1983.
In 1994, the zoo temporarily closed after an outbreak of echinococcosis among its animals. The introduction of behavioral exhibits from 1997 onward transformed the zoo’s fortunes, bringing renewed attention and attracting visitors from throughout Japan.
Major Milestones
1974: Successfully achieved Japan’s first captive breeding of polar bears.
1987: Cumulative visitor numbers reached 10 million.
1996: Annual visitors fell to a low of approximately 260,000.
1997: Construction began on facilities designed around behavioral exhibits.
2004: The Seal Pavilion opened, helping the zoo achieve Japan’s highest monthly visitor numbers.
2014: Cumulative visitor numbers reached 40 million.
2017: The zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Asahiyama Zoo Today
Today, Asahiyama Zoo remains one of Hokkaido’s leading tourist attractions. It has particular experience in keeping and breeding animals adapted to cold climates, making its northern location especially significant.
The zoo is also considering the future possibility of keeping multiple elephants. In 2024, it became the first zoo in Hokkaido to be recognized as a registered museum under Japan’s Museum Act, further reflecting its role in education and conservation as well as recreation.
Animals and Facilities
Located in northern Hokkaido, the zoo features many animals associated with northern regions, while also introducing visitors to wildlife native to Hokkaido. The facilities are built across a sloping site, creating a distinctive landscape and allowing many exhibits to incorporate differences in elevation.
Small Animal House
Home to the Pallas’s cat, a small wild cat native to the grasslands and mountainous regions of Central Asia.
Children’s Farm
Visitors can encounter rabbits, guinea pigs, Djungarian hamsters, chinchillas, goats, Suffolk sheep, golden retrievers, Horsfield’s tortoises, and other familiar animals.
Totori-no-mura (Bird Village)
This spacious bird facility features spot-billed ducks, mandarin ducks, tufted ducks, greater white-fronted geese, snow geese, cackling geese, whooper swans, black swans, and other birds.
Flamingo House
Home to greater flamingos, Chilean flamingos, and European flamingos.
Large Carnivore House
Visitors can see lions, Amur tigers, Amur leopards, and snow leopards.
Monkey Mountain
This facility houses Japanese macaques and Japanese wild boars.
Penguin House
One of the zoo’s most popular facilities, featuring rockhopper penguins, king penguins, gentoo penguins, Humboldt penguins, and other species.
Comprehensive Monkey House
Home to ring-tailed lemurs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and De Brazza’s monkeys.
Polar Bear House
Visitors can observe polar bears in an environment designed to encourage their natural swimming and diving behavior.
Seal House
This popular exhibit features spotted seals and black-tailed gulls. Its design allows visitors to observe seals moving through the water and surfacing through vertical spaces.
Orangutan House
Home to Bornean orangutans and Bornean river turtles.
Spider Monkey and Capybara House
This mixed-species exhibit features Geoffroy’s spider monkeys and capybaras.
Chimpanzee Forest
Home to chimpanzees in an environment designed to encourage natural movement and activity.
Small Animal House
Visitors can see Ezo mountain hares and Ezo flying squirrels, both native to Hokkaido.
Red Panda Suspension Bridge
The red pandas can move along an elevated bridge, giving visitors a close look at their agile movements.
Small Bird-of-Prey House
Home to Eurasian hobbies and peregrine falcons.
Wolf Forest
This facility houses North American gray wolves.
Ezo Deer Forest
Home to Ezo deer, a subspecies of sika deer native to Hokkaido.
Arctic Fox House
Visitors can observe Arctic foxes, whose thick fur is adapted to extremely cold environments.
Gibbon House
Home to white-handed gibbons and muntjac.
Blakiston’s Fish Owl House
This facility is dedicated to the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl and opened in 2010.
Red-Crowned Crane House
Opened in 2011, this facility features the red-crowned crane, one of the most iconic birds of Hokkaido.
Amphibian and Reptile House
This facility features Ezo salamanders, Japanese common toads, Japanese tree frogs, Japanese pit vipers, Japanese rat snakes, striped snakes, Japanese pond turtles, red-eared sliders, and other species. The facility was renovated in spring 2011.
Snowy Owl House
Home to snowy owls, well adapted to the cold northern climate.
Hokkaido Native Animal House
This facility introduces visitors to wildlife native to Hokkaido, including raccoons, Japanese martens, Ezo raccoon dogs, Ezo red foxes, Ezo sable, Ezo squirrels, Steller’s sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, mountain hawk-eagles, Ezo eagle-owls, brown hawk-owls, and great horned owls. The facility was renovated in autumn 2012.
Giraffe and Hippopotamus House
Opened in autumn 2013, this facility features reticulated giraffes, pink-backed pelicans, hippopotamuses, ostriches, and other animals.
Peacock House
Opened in spring 2015, this facility features Indian peafowl.
Reindeer House
Home to reindeer, familiar symbols of the northern winter landscape.
Chicken and Duck House
Visitors can see White Leghorn chickens, ducks, call ducks, and other domestic birds.
Hokkaido Small Animal Corner
This area features Japanese martens and Ezo raccoon dogs.
Ezo Brown Bear House
Opened in spring 2022, this facility provides a close look at the Ezo brown bear, one of Hokkaido’s largest native mammals.
Animals No Longer Exhibited
The zoo’s Animal Materials Exhibition also tells part of the history of species once kept at Asahiyama Zoo. A southern white rhinoceros named Noshio died of kidney failure on November 17, 2009. As a result, rhinoceroses were no longer kept at zoos in Hokkaido for a period of time.
Elephants also disappeared from the zoo’s collection, leaving Sapporo’s Maruyama Zoo as the only zoo in Hokkaido with Asian elephants at the time. An American alligator that had been kept at Asahiyama Zoo for 48 years also died in May 2015.
Dining at Asahiyama Zoo
There are several dining facilities around the zoo, including restaurants and food areas near the West Gate, East Gate, and Polar Bear House. Visitors are also allowed to bring their own packed lunches into the zoo. However, the use of fire, including barbecues, is prohibited.
Garden Terrace Lion Asahiyama Zoo East Gate
This is the largest dining facility within the zoo. It is also open to people who are not visiting the zoo. The restaurant originally operated as Mogumogu Terrace from 2011 under Asahikawa Terminal Building, but following the company’s liquidation, Sapporo Lion took over operations in April 2016 under its current name.
ZOO Shop & Kitchen CoCoLo
Located near the main gate, this restaurant and shop is operated by Taisetsu Beer and offers food and souvenirs.
Asahiyama Zoo Central Cafeteria
Located inside the Seal House, this facility is operated by Koyukai. It includes a free rest area and the central souvenir shop, Asahiyama ZOO SHOP.
FarmZoo
Located near the West Gate, FarmZoo is operated by Taniguchi Farm and includes a souvenir shop.
Souvenirs and Limited-Edition Goods
Asahiyama Zoo Club Ikoi-no-Hiroba Shop
Operated by the nonprofit Asahiyama Zoo Club, this shop is located opposite Totori-no-mura. It offers original zoo merchandise as well as a food corner.
Zoo Club Komorebi-no-Oka Shop
Located near the Chimpanzee House and Monkey Mountain, this shop offers goods created by renowned picture-book artist Hiroshi Abe, as well as soft-serve ice cream.
The shop also includes an exhibition and sales area called “Hiroshi Abe Museum,” where visitors can see and purchase picture-book illustrations and books.
Asahiyama Zoo Capsule-Zoo
Special souvenirs and goods exclusive to Asahiyama Zoo are available around the main and East Gate shops. Among the most popular are capsule toys featuring miniature recreations of iconic zoo scenes, such as a polar bear diving into the water and king penguins taking a walk.
The collection includes six different designs, priced at 300 yen each.