아사히야마 동물원
홋카이도· Asahiyama Zoo
Asahiyama Zoo, in Higashi-Asahikawa-cho Kuranuma, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, is Japan's northernmost zoo, opened in 1967 (Showa 42). Driven to the brink of closure in the 1990s, it pioneered «behavioral display» from 1997 — an innovative approach designed not to exhibit animals as spectacles but to draw out their natural behavior and abilities. By 2004, monthly attendance had surpassed Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, making it Japan's most visited. Penguin walks in winter, polar bear dives, and the «Marine Way» seal cylinder tank let visitors photograph animals in natural motion at close range — a facility that transformed the concept of the Japanese zoo.
하이라이트
- Penguin Walk (winter only) — mid-December to March, a single-file procession through snow; the king penguin parade is overwhelmingly popular
- Polar Bear Hall — a diving pool with capsule-shaped observation domes that show the bears swimming overhead
- Seal Hall «Marine Way» — seals shuttling through cylinder-shaped tanks, a world-first innovation in display
- Penguin Hall — 360° underwater observation; penguins appear to «fly» as they swim, beautifully lit by natural light
- Mogu-mogu (feeding) Time — keepers explain animal behavior during feedings, offering rich photo opportunities
빠른 답변
What is Asahiyama Zoo?
Japan's northernmost zoo, in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido — opened in 1967. From 1997 it pioneered «behavioral display» to draw out animals' natural abilities, and by 2004 it surpassed Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in monthly attendance. With penguin walks, polar bear halls, and other innovations, it lets visitors photograph natural animal motion at close range.
Penguin walk schedule?
Held twice daily from mid-December to March — winter only, when snow is on the ground. The king penguin parade is a globally famous winter staple. The first walk (around 11 AM) is best for photography before crowds; the contrast of white snow and black-and-white penguins is striking.
Access?
About 40 minutes by bus from JR Asahikawa Station, 35 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport, or about 1 hour 20 minutes from Sapporo by limited express plus bus. In winter, snow-road driving is risky — JR and buses are safer than rental cars. Allow half a day to a full day.
Admission and hours?
Adults ¥1,000, children under elementary age free. Summer (Apr 29–Nov 3): 9:30–17:15. Winter (Nov 11–Apr 7): 10:30–15:30. The night zoo extends to 21:00 (August only). The zoo closes for cleaning four times a year — check the official site. Avoid the noon crowd; the first and last hour are best for shooting.
Are there restrictions on equipment?
Personal photography is allowed; commercial use, tripods, and selfie sticks require advance permission. Flash is forbidden to protect the animals. A telephoto (70–300mm or longer) is essential. Glass-tank reflections are common — bring a lens hood or wear dark clothes. Bring rain covers for snow shooting.
Best photo spots inside?
①Penguin Hall underwater tunnel (penguins «fly» overhead) ②Polar Bear Hall's seal-eye dome (bears swim above you) ③Orangutan enclosure's 17 m aerial rope ④Mogu-mogu (feeding) time — animals are most active during keeper talks. The winter-only penguin walk is essential.
