When you think of animals that come to mind when you think of Hokkaido, the brown bear is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but you often see goods featuring the red fox at airports and souvenir shops.

In some areas, the red fox is a familiar wild animal to the people of Hokkaido, sometimes even coming right up to their yards. However, since it is a wild animal, it doesn't normally approach people, and it's not often possible to get a good look at it.

We'll introduce you to "Kita Kitsune Farm," a place where you can encounter these red foxes in a way that's a little different from a zoo.

Table of contents
1. This is what a red fox is like.
2. Where is "Kita Kitsune Farm" located?
3. This is what "Kita Kitsune Farm" is like.

The Hokkaido red fox is widely distributed throughout Hokkaido and, as its English name suggests, is a light brown color with black ankles and the backs of its ears. It is also slightly larger overall than the Japanese red fox, which inhabits Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

As wild animals, they shouldn't normally approach people, but recently it's not uncommon to see red foxes in tourist areas, and it seems that some red foxes have become accustomed to humans and may even beg for food.

It is said that more than half of wild red foxes are infected with a parasite called Echinococcus, and that it can potentially infect humans.

One important courtesy to remember when encountering wild animals while traveling is "do not feed them." They are not pets, so it's important to maintain an appropriate distance between humans and wild animals and coexist peacefully.

Onneyu Onsen in Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City, is a historic hot spring resort that opened in 1899 (Meiji 32). The "Kita Kitsune Farm" is located in this hot spring area, behind the "Michi-no-Eki Onneyu Onsen" (roadside station).

The tourist information center at "Michi-no-Eki Onneyu Onsen" (roadside station) has brochures for nearby tourist spots and discount coupons (100 yen off) for "Kita Kitsune Farm" (Northern Fox Farm), so it's a good place to stop by first.

The "Onneyu Onsen Roadside Station" area is a place where both adults and children can enjoy themselves, with a compact collection of tourist attractions including "Kamurin," one of the world's largest cuckoo clock towers; "Kamurin no Yakata," which houses a facility with wooden playground equipment and a workshop where you can easily experience woodworking; and "Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan," known as the mountain aquarium.

The building, with its large torii gate and mural of a red fox, is quite striking, and the inscription reads "Dedicated Inari Shrine," which might lead many to imagine a shrine with stone fox statues called komagitsune.

The entrance is greeted by a large statue of a red fox, and the excitement begins from this point, wondering what kind of atmosphere awaits us as we encounter the red foxes.

After paying the entrance fee and stepping inside, you'll see a large sign that reads, "Watch out for your belongings! Don't let the foxes steal them!" You might feel a little uneasy, thinking, "Are they really that aggressive?", but don't worry! Let's go!

Contrary to the warning signs at the entrance, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful, and you can see a red fox walking in the distance.

Unlike animals kept in cages like in a zoo, I was a little surprised to see the free-roaming red foxes roaming freely along the walking paths.

The red foxes in this park seem to know they are "safe," and they continue their naps with complete peace of mind even when approached. Even from a local perspective, it's rare to see red foxes this close.

Are these two brothers who are close friends? They look so adorable sleeping together; I never knew red foxes were this cute.

The puppy, having woken up from its nap, wanders here and there, showing no signs of being wary of people and displaying adorable behavior.

Oh, a fat fox? No, no, this is a raccoon dog that lives in the same park. Compared to the cool-looking red fox, which has almost grown in its summer coat, the fluffy raccoon dog looks a bit plump and hot.

The park features a walking path that stretches for about 300 meters, resembling a leisurely stroll. The sounds of birdsong and the gentle murmur of the nearby Mukagawa River create a pleasant atmosphere, making it a liberating place surrounded by Hokkaido's natural beauty.

Final thoughts

At the "Northern Fox Farm," you can encounter free-roaming red foxes. As long as you follow basic rules such as "don't feed them without permission," you can enjoy a fun time that's a little different from a zoo.

Although they are kept in captivity within the park, they are still wild animals. If you have any questions, please ask the staff.

Kitakitsune Farm
HP:http://kitakitsune-farm.com/abouts/
Facebook:https://ja-jp.facebook.com/kitakitsune.farm/
Address: 52-1 Hanaoka, Rubeshibe-cho, Hokkaido 091-0157, Japan
TEL：0157-45-2249
Admission fee: Adults 500 yen (400 yen), High school students 500 yen (300 yen), Junior high school students 400 yen (250 yen), Elementary school students 300 yen (200 yen) * ( ) indicates discounted rates for groups of 20 or more.
営業時間：8：00～18：00（4月～10月）、9：00～16：00 （11月～3月）
Regular holiday: No holidays
Parking: Yes
Access: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport.

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