Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is one of Hokkaido’s leading zoos, home to around 160 species and 700 individual animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Located within the lush natural surroundings of Maruyama Park, the zoo offers visitors the chance to encounter a remarkable variety of wildlife throughout the year.
Among its highlights are the Tropical Animal House, where popular animals such as lions and giraffes can be seen; the World Bear Center, which features six species of bears; and the Chimpanzee House, designed around a 15-meter-high jungle gym that encourages natural behaviors. The Ezo Deer and Wolf House provides a comfortable environment for both animals and visitors, while the Children’s Zoo allows children to get close to sheep and goats.
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo opened in 1951 and has long been one of the city’s favorite places for families and animal lovers. It was established during the postwar period as a place where local residents, particularly children, could enjoy learning about animals.
Today, the zoo welcomes visitors from across Japan and overseas. Its location beside Maruyama Park gives it a particularly attractive setting, combining wildlife experiences with the forests and greenery of central Sapporo.
The zoo’s exhibits introduce animals from a wide range of habitats. In the Hokkaido Zone, visitors can encounter wildlife native to the region, including Ezo deer and brown bears.
The Africa Zone features familiar African animals such as lions, giraffes, and zebras, while the Asia Zone introduces species including Amur tigers and red pandas. The Tropical Rainforest House provides a warmer environment for animals such as capybaras and boa constrictors.
The Tropical Animal House is particularly popular with children. Its collection includes charismatic animals such as lions and giraffes, offering an opportunity to observe species from environments very different from Hokkaido’s cool northern climate.
Moving between the various habitats allows visitors to experience a miniature journey around the world’s wildlife without leaving Sapporo.
One of the zoo’s distinctive attractions is the World Bear Center, where six different species of bears are exhibited. Bears are closely associated with the natural environment of Hokkaido, making this exhibit especially interesting for visitors who want to learn more about the island’s wildlife as well as bears from other parts of the world.
The Chimpanzee House includes a 15-meter-high jungle gym that gives the animals opportunities to climb, move, and behave more naturally. The exhibit is designed with an emphasis on observing animals in ways that reflect their natural lifestyles.
This approach can make a visit more than simply an opportunity to see animals behind barriers. It also encourages visitors to consider how different species move, interact, and adapt to their environments.
The Ezo Deer and Wolf House has been designed to provide a comfortable environment for both wildlife and visitors. Ezo deer are an important part of Hokkaido’s natural landscape, while wolves offer a glimpse into the ecology of northern forests.
At the Children’s Zoo, younger visitors can encounter familiar farm animals such as sheep and goats. These hands-on experiences help make learning about animals approachable and enjoyable for children.
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo also plays an important role in environmental education and wildlife conservation. The zoo participates in breeding programs for endangered species and provides educational programs that introduce visitors to animal behavior, habitats, and conservation.
Cooperation with local schools, lectures, and special events further extends the zoo’s educational role. Through these activities, visitors can learn why protecting biodiversity and preserving wildlife habitats matter.
Each season brings a different atmosphere to Maruyama Zoo. Spring is a particularly exciting time, when young animals are often introduced to visitors and the surrounding greenery begins to awaken after winter.
In summer, special exhibitions and evening zoo events provide different ways to experience the animals. Autumn combines wildlife viewing with the colorful foliage of the surrounding park, while winter offers the distinctive sight of animals living actively in a snowy Hokkaido landscape.
The zoo is also home to Maruyama Children’s Land Kid Land, an amusement park area with popular rides such as the Loop & Cork and Viking. Together with the zoo’s animal exhibits and surrounding natural environment, it offers enough attractions to fill an entire day.
Families with children, young visitors, and anyone interested in wildlife can all find something to enjoy, making the complex a lively destination on weekends and holidays.
Visitors are asked to follow the zoo’s rules to protect the health and safety of the animals. Feeding the animals and touching them are prohibited. Smoking is also restricted to designated areas.
Respecting these guidelines helps maintain a safe environment for both animals and visitors and ensures that everyone can enjoy the zoo comfortably.
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo combines a diverse collection of animals with the rich natural surroundings of Maruyama Park. From bears and wolves associated with northern ecosystems to lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, and tropical species, the zoo offers a broad introduction to wildlife from Hokkaido and around the world.
Its long history, conservation and educational programs, seasonal events, and family-friendly facilities make it one of Sapporo’s most enjoyable destinations for a close encounter with the animal world. For travelers visiting the city, Maruyama Zoo is a place where wildlife, nature, education, and recreation come together.
February 1-October 31 9:00-17:00
November 1 - January 31, 9:00 - 16:00
December 29 - December 31
Adults: 600 yen
*Free for junior high school students and younger
15 minutes on foot from Maruyama Koen Station on the Subway Tozai Line
0 min. walk from Zoo Zoo → 8 min. by bus from Maruyama Koen Sta. on the Subway Tozai Line *[EN15] Zoo Zoo line [EN14] Araiyama line