An unexpected bonus from cycling around Sapporo - Maruyama Zoo

An unexpected discovery while cycling around Sapporo - Maruyama Zoo

I had originally planned to revisit Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, but after passing the nearby Maruyama Zoo, I decided to visit for a stroll. Tickets cost 800 yen per person. It's a neat, urban zoo, and I wasn't particularly expecting much. Upon entering, I was struck by the beauty of the flora 🌳. There are plenty of ginkgo trees and maple trees, as well as many handsome, stylish pine trees. I'm really looking forward to the beautiful scenery in autumn and winter.

The zoo's star attraction is the polar bear enclosure at the very back. With its transparent tank and underwater observation window, you can clearly see polar bears and seals swimming effortlessly in the water (in separate pools, otherwise it would be a life-or-death chase 😂). The view is also thoughtfully designed, with the second level positioned just above the water's surface, allowing the polar bears to mistake visitors for seals, allowing them to dart over, creating a more visually appealing experience.

In the penguin enclosure, the many little penguins 🐧 were amusingly adorable, their heads bobbing and their faces waving. The park's numerous signboards, resembling handwritten notes, made even a Japanese illiterate like me appreciate the cuteness and fun of the content. ❤️ There were also orangutans with impressively large faces, a bobcat with a dashing gait, a helpless marmot, three shivering pelicans, a toucan struggling to eat with its massive beak, a raccoon catching up on its daytime naps, an ostrich that occasionally cocked its head in a comical way or opened its mouth to threaten another, and a giraffe.

The elephant enclosure also has a stepped viewing area where visitors can sit and observe the elephants' daily lives (with plenty of elephant-specific toys nearby (perhaps one changes daily?)).

In the park's souvenir shop, Lisa immediately spotted Hokkaido's star bird: the Shimaenaga, also known as the "Snow Fairy." Many of the plush toys and merchandise were high-quality and affordable.

The park was larger than expected, and the facilities were exquisite and well-stocked. Each enclosure had its own unique charm. It's worth a return visit.
#SapporoMaruyama Zoo

Post by 日本自由行新手 | Aug 1, 2025