Asahikawa Attractions | Japan's Northernmost and Popular Cold Climate Zoo - Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido

When it comes to penguins parading down the street, one immediately thinks of Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido. Operating for over 50 years, it is Japan's first zoo to successfully breed polar bears. With the mission of 'Conveying the Meaning of Life' (伝えるのは、命), the zoo aims to teach visitors the importance of equality among all living beings and the preciousness of life. Transportation Guide: Upon arriving at Asahikawa Airport, you can take bus No. 78 (two daily services at 09:55 and 11:45) directly to Asahiyama Zoo. Most visitors travel from JR Sapporo Station to JR Asahikawa Station, then transfer to bus No. 41 or No. 47 to reach the zoo. The entrance fee for Asahiyama Zoo is 1,000 yen (for high school students and above). What started as a simple exercise for the penguins to lose weight has become a popular attraction. Every winter, the zoo announces the penguin parade schedule (usually from December to March), but the event is subject to weather conditions and snow depth. I joined a local day tour this time, departing from Sapporo directly to Asahiyama Zoo. The zoo is built on a slope, with general visitors entering from the main entrance and following an uphill route that eventually goes downhill. Tour groups sometimes enter from the east gate (the highest point of the zoo), following a downhill route first and then uphill. We arrived at Asahiyama Zoo early in the morning. After a brief explanation of the guidelines and meeting times from the guide, we were free to explore. Honestly, Asahikawa's winter is extremely cold. It was -2.5 degrees Celsius with light snow, but everyone's excitement was undiminished despite the harsh weather. The zoo mainly features cold climate animals, who seemed to be full of energy. To showcase the animals' natural behaviors, Asahiyama Zoo has introduced a new exhibition method called 'behavioral exhibits.' For example, in the polar bear area, there is a dome above a hole in the ground where people can pop up like prairie dogs to observe the polar bears up close. The seal area has an underwater tunnel for close-up views of seals swimming up and down. Penguins can be seen diving and swimming freely in the water. The zoo also has an overhead passage connecting the raccoon habitats on both sides, allowing raccoons to walk freely above visitors' heads. Isn't that cute? Other tropical animals can be viewed in heated rooms, and the gorillas swinging around are also very happy. There are gift shops and restaurants at both entrances of Asahiyama Zoo, offering snacks, hot meals, and souvenirs. Make sure to replenish your energy. Hokkaido is vast, so don't over-schedule your itinerary. When we were about to leave in the afternoon, a sudden snowstorm hit, making it almost impossible to see Asahiyama Zoo from the east gate parking lot. Despite this, Asahiyama Zoo remains a very important attraction.