A winter city tour in Hokkaido offers plenty to enjoy, including snow festivals, hot springs, and delicious food!

While there may be countless things you want to experience and see, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is one of the relatively easy-to-visit spots among the many tourist attractions in Sapporo.

Even in winter, it's easily accessible from the Clock Tower, TV Tower, and Odori Park, and the fact that you can easily meet popular animals while being in the heart of the city is a major attraction!

This time, we'll introduce some ways to enjoy Maruyama Zoo in winter!

Table of contents
1. What are the attractions of zoos in Hokkaido, and Maruyama Zoo in particular?
2. Animals that are active in winter
3. Hot spots at Maruyama Zoo ☆
4. The annual Maruyama Zoo Snow Festival
5. Attention to clothing and other details
6. Access to Maruyama Zoo in Winter
Summary

When describing the charm and characteristics of zoos in Hokkaido, it's important to keep Japan's climate in mind.

Most of Japan has a temperate climate, but Okinawa has a subtropical climate, and Hokkaido has a subarctic climate.
Hokkaido, in particular, is often said to have a climate similar to that of Siberia.

In other words, zoos in Hokkaido are places where you can see animals that live in cold climates actively going about their activities up close!

(Photo by Sapporo City)

Incidentally, animals that inhabit subarctic to polar regions include polar bears, penguins, snow leopards, Amur tigers, and red pandas. They are all popular animals at zoos!

Now, there are four zoos in Hokkaido (*Note).
Besides the well-known Asahiyama Zoo, there are also Obihiro Zoo, Kushiro City Zoo, and Maruyama Zoo.

Maruyama Zoo, which opened in 1951, is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido.
As of 2016, renovation work is underway in various places, and the combination of old-fashioned, retro exhibition facilities and state-of-the-art facilities creates a unique and intriguing atmosphere.
Furthermore, as befits Sapporo, a city known for its art scene, art-related events are frequently held, attracting not only families but also people who value a particular lifestyle.

Furthermore, its accessibility, being only about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station and Odori Park, is unmatched among zoos in Hokkaido!

Furthermore, the surrounding area offers healing spaces such as Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park, as well as trendy gourmet areas around Urasando, providing plenty of entertainment after your sightseeing.
Maruyama Zoo is a place I highly recommend visiting if you have a little free time in your travel schedule!

(Note: Here, "zoo" is defined as a facility affiliated with the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.)

Now, let's take a look at some animals that are thriving in winter!

The park is made up of gentle hills. Please be careful as the paths sometimes freeze and become very slippery!

Now, let's start with the red panda, one of the animals that thrive in winter!

By the way, during the summer, I often sleep like in the picture below.

They become more active during the snowy season!

Seeing energetic red pandas frolicking in the snow is something you can only experience at zoos in Hokkaido!

At the "World Bear House" located at the back of the zoo, the polar bears are doing well.

In the winter of 2016, you can see a polar bear family – mother Lala and daughter Lila – up close!

Lila, born in December 2014, has grown so much and is now almost the same size as her mother!

In addition, the gray wolves, snow leopards, and Amur tigers are all doing well.

All of these animals can be viewed from indoors at the "Ezo Deer and Wolf Enclosure" and the "Exciting Holiday Asia Zone," so you can meet them without shivering from the cold, even in winter!

In winter, while you're engrossed in the adorable polar bear family at Maruyama Zoo, you'll find yourself getting cold before you know it.

In such situations, rest houses, cafes, and gift shops should be your go-to places, but...

Actually, these facilities don't really warm you up that much.
In Hokkaido, indoor temperatures are set high, but in zoos, the temperature of facilities for humans is...
They seem reserved.

So, if you're feeling cold, I recommend visiting a facility that houses creatures from the south!

My personal favorite is the "Tropical Rainforest Pavilion"!

It's always summer inside here!

The sight of the vibrant flamingos and the beautiful songs of the brightly colored tropical birds make you forget that the temperature outside is below freezing. You can relax and bask in the sun here♪

Also, I recommend the "Great Ape House" and the "Chimpanzee House"—they're nice and warm there too!

(Ape House)

(Chimpanzee House)

Africa Zone: Hippo and Lion House

Currently, animals that live in tropical regions are being moved from the traditional "Tropical Animal House" to the new "Africa Zone."
These facilities are also warm even in winter!
How about experiencing a taste of scorching Africa for a little while in the bitter cold of Hokkaido?

Now, in conjunction with the Sapporo Snow Festival, Maruyama Zoo holds a "Snow Festival" every year!

In 2018, it will be held from February 5th (Monday) to February 12th (Monday/National Holiday).

The "ice slide" and "snowman making experience," which are hugely popular attractions every year, are recommended events for those who want to escape the crowds of the snow festival and fully experience Hokkaido's snow.

Also, at the Tropical Bird House's event cafe, "Tropical Coffee House," the popular Sapporo coffee shop "Miyata-ya" will be making a special appearance at Maruyama Zoo!
You can enjoy drinks and sweets here.

Now, regarding precautions to take when visiting Maruyama Zoo in winter, even though it's in the city center, it's an area surrounded by mountains, so be sure to take as many cold-weather precautions as possible.

It's a good idea to choose a coat that's long enough to keep your waist warm!
Especially during the Sapporo Snow Festival, you'll likely be spending a lot of time outdoors, so if you bring some warm clothing like a hat, gloves, earmuffs, and hand warmers, you won't have to shiver from the cold and can enjoy sightseeing comfortably!

Also, if you operate digital devices with your bare hands, your hands will get cold and stiff very quickly!
If you frequently take photos with your smartphone and upload them to the internet, we recommend getting smartphone gloves.

Furthermore, since Maruyama Zoo is located on a hill, be sure to take precautions against slipping.
People in Hokkaido wear winter boots that are well waterproof and have sturdy soles.
For travelers, purchasing non-slip shoe grips is a must.
Even in Hokkaido, there are a constant stream of accidents involving falls on snowy roads every year. To avoid having your important trip ruined by a fall resulting in a sprain or fracture, be sure to take proper precautions.

The road to Maruyama Zoo involves walking up a gentle slope.
For those who are not used to driving on icy winter roads or who don't like the cold, we recommend taking the bus.

Take the [En15] bus on the Zoo Line from the Maruyama Park subway station bus terminal and get off at "Dobutsuen-mae" (in front of the zoo).
It takes about 7 minutes.
Once you get off the bus, the nearest entrance is the West Gate.

On the other hand, those who want to experience Hokkaido's nature might consider taking a stroll through the Maruyama Primeval Forest on their way there.

A five-minute walk from Maruyama Park subway station will take you to the entrance to the trail leading to the primeval forest. During the day, it's easy to find as it's a path frequently used by locals.

The walking trails are covered with wooden decking, making them easy to walk even for those unfamiliar with winter conditions.
If you pass through here a little before the zoo opens, you might even spot an Ezo squirrel!

One of the great things about Sapporo is that you can enjoy the natural beauty of Hokkaido even though it's quite close to the city.

However, the sun sets early around here from winter to spring, so please be careful of your footing when you head home!

Summary

This time, we introduced some ways to enjoy Maruyama Zoo in winter, but this is only a small part of it.

Maruyama Zoo still has plenty of animals that truly shine when it's cold!

When you visit Sapporo in winter, be sure to come and meet these lively animals!

【Facility information】
札幌市円山動物園
Address:3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Phone: 011-621-1426
HP:https://www.city.sapporo.jp/zoo/
Opening hours:
Summer season (February 1st to October 31st): 9:2 AM to 10:17 PM
Winter season (November 1st to January 31st): 9:11 AM to 1:16 PM
(Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time)
Closed days: Only 3 days at the end of the year (December 29th, 30th, and 31st)
entrance fee:
Adults (high school students and above): 600 yen
Children (junior high school age and younger) are free (student ID required).
Annual pass: 1000 yen
Admission is free for residents of Sapporo City aged 65 and over, and for those with a disability certificate or similar.

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