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Asahikawa's Asahiyama Zoo
Japan's number one zoo.

Recently Asahiyama Zoo has displaced Ramen and skiing as Asahikawa's primary draw card, in the process, becoming Japan's number one zoo. The total number of people expected to have visited the zoo by the end of 2007 is in excess of 3 million, an impressive figure when you consider that the population of Asahikawa is a mere 360,000. And, all this form a zoo that just over a decade ago was struggling to stay open.

In 1995, Asahiyama zoo undertook an ambitious redevelopment based on the vision of the new director at that time Masao Kosuge. He and his talented staff formulated enclosure ideas specifically focused on exhibiting the animals' behaviour, not simply the animals themselves.

Asahiyama zoo features more than 800 animals from approximately 150 species, a healthy number when you consider the difficulties associated with maintaining animals during a hot summer and an extremely cold winter.

As can be expected however, people do have their favorites, and the polar bears, penguins, seals, big cats, and orangutans come in for special attention. The enclosures for these animals are designed with both the animal and visitor in mind so you can expect to get closer than you might imagine. The penguin enclosure for example affords a 360 degree view. There is a vertical tank for the spotted seal which prefers to dive and surface vertically. The polar bear enclosure has a variety of built-in viewing areas to allow you special access.

Despite its substantial redevelopment and enormous public interest, the entrance fee to Asahiyama Zoo has remained a fraction of zoo prices in other parts of the world, making Asahiyama Zoo an affordable and fun day out, all year round.

Just to show you that the fine people at Asahiyama Zoo are not getting lackadaisical about their popularity and recent success, they have recently trailed a week long stint of leaving the zoo open until 9pm. I guess that depending on the success of the trial, we may at some time in the future see a change in the zoo's open hours.

Location:    
Higashi Asahikawa-cho
Kuranuma, Asahikawa,
Hokkaido, 078-8205

tel: 0166-36-1104
Official Site: Asahiyama Zoo

Season:    
Summer:
April 29th ~ October 22nd

Winter:
November 3rd ~ April 6th

Hours:   
Summer:   9:30am ~ 5:15pm
Winter:   10:30am ~ 3:30pm

Cost:   
Adults:   ¥800
Children:   FREE
Year Pass: ¥1,000

Tomita Lavender Farm
富田ファーム
As far as day trip ideas from Asahikawa go, Tomita Farm is a great choice. A 10ha lavender paradise, Tomita Farm provides ample opportunity for relaxed walks surrounded by a seemingly endless patchwork of color.

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