Visiting zoos and aquariums has now become a firmly established new style of sightseeing in Hokkaido.

Among them, Asahiyama Zoo has become a well-established tourist destination, but Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo is just as wonderful! While taking good care of wild animals, they constantly plan events that everyone can enjoy, always exciting the people of Sapporo!

At Maruyama Zoo, the most popular event by far is "Nighttime Zoo"! This time, we'll introduce its charms♪

Table of contents
1. Fun Facts about "Nighttime Zoos"
2. Extremely popular with Sapporo residents! [Nighttime Zoo]
3. "Nighttime Zoo" Experience Report
4. Zoo ☆ Food and Souvenirs
Summary

1. Fun facts about "Nighttime Zoos"

Nighttime openings at zoos have become a quintessential summer tradition, and it seems this trend originated with the opening of Singapore's Night Safari in 1994.

The sight of nocturnal animals, which cannot be seen in ordinary zoos, attracts many people, and the total number of visitors has exceeded 11 million. Even now, nearly 20 years after its opening, it remains a popular landmark in Singapore!

Perhaps inspired by this, zoos and safari parks all over Japan have started offering nighttime openings as a regular event!

During the summer holidays, Maruyama Zoo held a one-off event for elementary school students called the Zoo Night Camp. They also offered evening hours for the general public.

Since around 2010, when zoos began to attract attention as relaxing spots where people can connect with nature, the event has evolved into something everyone can enjoy, and the duration of the event has gradually expanded!

(A timber wolf receiving ice as a gift at the "Summer Zoo" in 2014)

2. Extremely popular with Sapporo residents! "Night Zoo"

"The Night Zoo" has a slightly different atmosphere compared to other nighttime events.
What's the difference? ...I thought about it for a bit.

First of all, zoos hardly have the kind of flashy background music that you often find at event venues.
To avoid stressing the animals and to create an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible, the park is kept quiet.
(Note: Special events may include live music performances in limited spaces.)

The "Night Zoo" is bustling with many visitors. The band of light visible in the distance is the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium.

Also, there are no unnecessary lights.
The rules within the park are "no flashlights" and "no flash photography."

The fact that you can easily experience the tranquility and darkness of nature in the heart of the city is probably what attracts Sapporo residents and has made it an event with many repeat visitors.

This year, 2018, the event will be held for a total of six days, from August 10th to August 15th.
What's more, each day of the event has a different theme, and there are exciting nighttime experiences, "Girl Zoo Night," talk shows by animal specialists, concerts, and more!
For further information, please read Special websitePlease check it out! (This information is from 2018)

3. "Night Zoo" Experience Report

The "Night Zoo" event has started again this year, so I went to check it out right away!

3-1 We've come to the zoo at night.

It was past the usual closing time of 17:00 PM, and it was now "Night Zoo" time.
There is no change of visitors during the nighttime hours. Those who enter during the day can stay until night, so you can visit during daylight hours and see the animals that are active during the day!

The entrance fee is 600 yen for adults for one day, but this time I purchased an annual pass for 1,000 yen.

The passport has a photo of the polar bear cub that was born at the end of last year. It's so cute! Along with the passport, I also received the menu for the day's events.

I heard that the animals will be having their evening mealtimes in various places starting at 18:00 PM. Until then, I'll take a stroll around the park as dusk falls...

The sun set in Sapporo that day at 18:57 PM. The sun was still shining outside. There were only a few visitors, just like any other park near closing time.

3-2 Polar bear family's mealtime ☆

A small event, "Feeding live fish to polar bears," will be held from 18:00.

We headed towards the "World Bear Pavilion," where a polar bear family is located. More and more people were gathering.

The special viewing platform is overflowing with people!

A polar bear family is enjoying a meal in the exhibit's pool. Mother bear "Lala" and her cub are catching and eating fish together! The cub, born last December, doesn't have a name yet, but is already very popular!

In the spring, she wouldn't leave her mother's side, but now she's grown up to be independent and can even catch her own fish.

The little ones are captivated by the mother bear and her cub catching live fish! And the adults, too, are seriously trying to capture the perfect shot with their SLR cameras.

Normally, the polar bear family is only on display for a limited time, but today they're open until 20:30 PM. I decided to come back later and left the bustling "World Bear House."

3-3 Red panda's mealtime ☆

Next, we headed to the red pandas in the "Exciting Asia Zone: Alpine House."

The red panda enclosure is already overflowing with people waiting for "feeding time," which starts at 18:30 PM!

The red pandas also seem to be eagerly awaiting their meal...

They're fidgeting here and there.

The exhibit area has no cages, so you can see the red pandas at close range from the top of the wall or under the ladder.
It looks like you could reach out and touch its fluffy body! (But you really shouldn't touch it.)

Mealtime has begun.

The zookeepers feed the red pandas apples while providing commentary! The red pandas chase after the zookeepers, eagerly begging for their favorite apples.

A red panda, with an apple in its mouth, swiftly climbed up a tree!

During this time today, in addition to the red pandas, the feeding times of wolves, Hokkaido brown bears, and Amur tigers were also open to the public.

The opening times for meals vary from day to day, so please check the official website or the menu for the day beforehand and try to go to your favorite spot!

3-4 We encountered an owl taking a walk!

Next, we'll look for "Eurasian Eagle Owl's Walk." The menu only says "<Various locations within the park>." We'll wander around the park looking for the owls.

As time went on, the number of visitors increased!

The shops have also extended their operating hours to coincide with the park's opening hours.

The "Green Spot" shop is a popular spot that's always bustling with families!

It's still a little while until it gets completely dark, so how about we take a break at a cafe?

Nature Cafe Earth is a stylish cafe that looks like it could be found on a back street in Maruyama. Feeling a little hungry, I ordered their recommended menu item: fried bread.

This is a plain fried bread (280 yen including tax).

The shop, with its nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, also has a great vibe.

As I wandered around, I came across a huge crowd of people near the "Reptile and Amphibian House."

Owl spotted!

The little ones were very excited, but the owl and the zookeeper remained calm. The children were taking photos with the owl!

3-5 Going to see the polar bear family again ☆

We stopped for a break at a cafe along the way, and it was almost 7:30 PM. We headed back to the "World Bear Pavilion."

The polar bear exhibit is still bustling with many people.

The baby bear is swimming around and doesn't want to get out of the pool! Perhaps it's happy that it can play all night long?
Watching over them from behind is the mother bear, Lala, who is pacing around the entrance. I wonder if she wants to take her cub back to her room? I watch the mother and cub, letting my imagination run wild with various possibilities.

I could watch the polar bear family's antics forever and never get bored, but let's call it a day for tonight.

After that, we did some shopping at the official shop and then left the zoo.

4. Zoo ☆ Food and Souvenirs

Now, let me introduce our recommended menu items!

4-1 Nature Cafe Earth's "Hokkaido Croquette Sandwich"

The interior of the shop features a relaxing design that emphasizes the warmth of wood. There's a kids' space so families can relax comfortably, but of course, friends and couples can also unwind here!

Nature Cafe Earth's recommended menu item is fried bread! In addition to the plain flavor I mentioned earlier, they also have cinnamon and matcha flavors. They're big, fluffy, and very satisfying.

Also, the Hokkaido Croquette Sandwich (350 yen including tax) is one of the popular menu items.

The bread roll contains half a potato croquette and half a pumpkin croquette.

The salty flavor of the potato croquette and the sweetness of the pumpkin croquette combine to create two delicious flavors in one! Perfect for a light snack!

4-2 Zoo Cafe's sweets

ZooCafe, located next to the official shop, has the atmosphere of a resort cafe. Take a break while enjoying delicious organic coffee (250 yen) that's kind to nature.

Pirika Parfait - Maple Flavor (750 yen including tax) is topped with "Shirokuma Butter Senbei" from "Kakasha," a familiar name to Hokkaido sweets lovers!

The Pirika Pancakes (800 yen including tax) are topped with lots of fruit and have a delicious balance of sweetness and tartness. If you love pancakes, you should definitely give them a try!

4-3 Shopping at the official shop ☆

Maruyama Zoo also has a well-stocked official shop. The shop is filled with stuffed animals and postcards! You'll have a hard time deciding what to buy!

The merchandise featuring Pirika, the polar bear born at Maruyama Zoo, is exclusive to the official shop. With its clean yet cute designs, the stationery and handkerchiefs are perfect as souvenirs for women!

I found some other cute things too!

The animal-shaped tea bags are apparently the shop manager's top recommendation. They're so cute, you'll want one as a souvenir for yourself!

There are two types available: sencha (green tea) and hojicha (roasted green tea), both priced at 691 yen.

Summary

Summer zoos are dimly lit and mysterious. It almost feels like something's about to happen...though not really (lol)! Even adults can feel a little thrill there.

Looking for such an exciting experience? Why not explore the "Night Zoo"?

[Sapporo Maruyama Zoo]
Address: 3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
TEL：011-621-1426

[2015 "Night Zoo" Event Website]
*In 2015, the event will be held every Saturday from August 1st to September 19th, as well as on August 13th (Thursday) and August 14th (Friday).
*We will announce the details for 2016 as soon as they are decided.

(See also)
8 Recommended Zoos and Animal Spots in Hokkaido!
7 parks around Sapporo where kids will love and can experience the Hokkaido atmosphere

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