What other travelers are saying about Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa
The penguin parade is worth the visit. Only 11:00 and 14:30. It's better to get there earlier to secure a spot. But because the route is quite long, so it's easy to find a spot. Also there is feeding show for the red racoons, which is also adorable. During winter time, it's colder in the afternoon, be prepared.
To enter the zoo. It's better to check the open time. Some times they open a little later. So there is a line up for entrance. But it's quite fast.
The hippo is worth the visit. Humongous
Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa is open from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM (April-October) and 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM (November-March). Adult admission is 1,000 yen, children (junior high school and younger) are free. The zoo is closed from December 30 to January 1 and has irregular closures in April and November.
From Sapporo, take the JR Kamikawa bus direct to Asahiyama Zoo (1 hour 40 minutes). From Asahikawa Station, take bus route 41 or 42 to Asahiyama Zoo (40 minutes). Rental cars and taxi services are also available. The zoo provides free parking for visitors driving to Asahikawa's famous Asahiyama Zoo.
Asahiyama Zoo features polar bears, penguins, seals, red pandas, wolves, and snow leopards in innovative behavioral exhibits. Popular feeding times include polar bear feeding at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM, penguin walk (winter only) at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Check the daily schedule as feeding times may vary seasonally.
Yes, Asahiyama Zoo is exceptional in winter, offering unique experiences like the famous penguin parade from December to March. Winter visitors can see polar bears and seals more active in cold weather. Dress warmly as Asahikawa temperatures drop below freezing. The zoo's winter illuminations and snow-covered exhibits create magical photo opportunities.
Asahiyama Zoo offers multiple restaurants including Zoo Kitchen and Penguin-kan serving local Hokkaido cuisine. Facilities include gift shops with exclusive zoo merchandise, coin lockers, baby changing rooms, wheelchair rentals, and heated rest areas. The zoo also features educational centers and observation decks throughout the Asahikawa attraction.
I visited Asahiyama Zoo with high expectations, and overall, it truly lives up to its reputation—especially if you appreciate animals in colder climates.
The highlight is definitely the penguin walk during winter. Watching the penguins waddle freely through the snow, just a few meters away from visitors, feels intimate and natural rather than staged. The zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” meaning enclosures are designed to showcase how animals actually move and live in the wild. The glass tunnel in the penguin pool and the vertical seal tube are brilliant examples—you don’t just see the animals, you experience their movement.
The polar bear enclosure is also impressive, with underwater viewing that lets you see their power and agility. It’s much more dynamic compared to traditional zoo displays.
However, there are some downsides. The zoo is built on a hillside, so be prepared for a lot of walking uphill—especially challenging in winter when paths can be icy. Facilities are clean but simple, and food options inside are limited compared to larger metropolitan zoos.
Overall, Asahiyama Zoo feels authentic, educational, and thoughtfully designed. It may not be the biggest zoo in Japan, but its creativity and close-up animal experiences make it memorable—particularly in winter. If you’re visiting Hokkaido, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
A fun zoo, especially in winter. The penguins are very active and cute, and the exhibits feel natural and well designed. It can get a bit crowded, but overall it’s a great stop.
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Ice spikes on shoes are strongly recommended, as the paths inside the zoo can be very slippery and there are limited handrails.
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The Penguin Walk usually runs twice daily in winter, around 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Entrance fee: ¥1,000 for adults.
Beautiful and exotic zoo! Definitely saw animals I wouldn't have elsewhere.
The animals aren't too excited as you'd imagine in zoos nowadays, but still mesmerising. Some of them had this weird back and forth pace that seemed robotic, so most likely are trained to follow a route in their enclosures for all visitors to witness
The zoo is relatively small and not too big.
For people who enjoy seeing animals up close, this place might be appealing because the enclosures are quite small, so the animals are very easy to see.
However, personally, I don’t really like zoos like this. The space for the animals feels extremely limited. For example, the hippo enclosure is only around 6 x 6 meters, which feels far too small for such a large animal.
I’m not trying to act like an animal activist, but just imagining being in the animals’ position makes it uncomfortable. I’ve visited many zoos and aquariums, and on average, their spaces are much larger than this.
The only positive side is that you can see the animals from a very, very close distance.
They really should build bigger spaces for the animals.
The penguin parade is cute, and there are many types of penguins in this zoo.
However, the polar bear looked stressed, with patchy fur on its body, pacing back and forth nonstop 😢
