[2024 Sapporo Attraction] Travel Guide for Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo (Updated Sep)

Maruyama Zoo: Hokkaido's First Zoo with Unique Exhibits

Maruyama Zoo in Hokkaido, the first zoo in the region, features a polar bear pavilion and the largest elephant house in Japan. Opened in 1951, Maruyama Zoo is the first zoo in Hokkaido and is a rare example in Japan of a zoo rich in ecological diversity. Just a 10-minute drive from the center of Sapporo, it offers close encounters with animals and is beloved by the locals. In recent years, the zoo has been committed to providing a natural habitat for the animals, allowing visitors to observe their natural behaviors. The 'Zoo no Mori' (Zoo Forest) recreates the nature of Sapporo from 50 years ago and is a rare example in Japan of a zoo rich in ecological diversity. Additionally, there is a polar bear pavilion that simulates the habitat of polar bears, and the largest elephant house in Japan, where visitors can see different exhibits from other zoos, appealing to both adults and children. Maruyama Zoo is divided into dozens of sections according to different animal characteristics, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits. There are hundreds of animals, ranging from tropical to polar species, including those that fly in the sky and swim in the sea, all of which are very cute. Operating Hours (March-October) 9:30-16:30 (last admission at 16:00) (November-February) 9:30-16:00 (last admission at 15:30) Closed Days The 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (if it's a holiday, the following day is closed) April, November: Monday-Friday of the week containing the 2nd Wednesday December 29-31 Winter operating hours are shorter, closing at 4 PM Tickets are not sold 30 minutes before closing, and as it gets dark early in Hokkaido, this is something to be mindful of. Cost Admission: Adults 800 yen, free for junior high school students and younger Transportation Walking: About 15 minutes from Maruyama Koen Station on the subway Driving: About 30 minutes from Sapporo Kita IC on the Sasson Expressway

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

#thingstodo Visited back in the Summer 2023. Arrived first thing in the morning just prior to opening. The zoo looks small at first but once you get in, it's spread out. The animals are well cared for and the staff seemed friendly. At at the 'coke' restaurant where I grabbed some curry. It was hot and delicious with fair pricing. Staff was friendly. Not much English should be needed minus when buying tickets which was really simple. We visited specifically for the Red Pandas which were lazying about outside on our arrival. There is an indoor area where it looks like the red pandas can venture into while people are around but that wasn't happening while we were there. Great visit, and an easy trip by bus or taxi. The zoo is an uphill walk if you don't go all the way to the top via vehicle but there is a lovely mountain forest with a temple and lovely little creek that leads up to it. (The mountain is a great visit too!)

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

#2024wish I was pleasantly surprised by our visit here. The variety of animals is impressive as is the size of the complex. Give yourself a few hours to explore and it’s best to go in the middle of the week as very few people are present. It’s definitely one of the better zoos in Japan and elsewhere. Overall, great! The main attractions were very enjoyable......

CUTIE IN MARUYAMA ZOO

You go to MARUYAMA zoo and the red pandas steal your heart. They are very very cute.

Sapporo tour

Hokkaido zoo on snowy day 💙#mytripvlog

Hokkaido zoo

Hokkaido zoo on the snowy day 💙 #mytripvlog

I was not really into Zoos but my friends said that since were already in Maruyama, why not go to Maruyama Zoo. So after we visited Hokkaido Shrine, which was just located nearby, we went directly to Maruyama Zoo. There a lot of animals there. It was my first time seeing sheep and a Polar Beer. I was really surprised and happy at the same time. #wintergetaway