Asahiyama Zoo highlights its recovery and unique exhibits

Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has undergone a significant transformation from the brink of closure to becoming a major Japanese tourist destination. By implementing a revolutionary “behavioral exhibition” approach, which showcases the natural ecology and physical abilities of animals rather than keeping them confined in traditional cages, the zoo has seen massive growth. At its peak, the facility surpassed Ueno Zoo in monthly visitors and reached over 3 million annual visitors in 2006.

As of 2023, the zoo has achieved a cumulative total of 50 million visitors. To improve accessibility, Japan Airlines (JAL) has reinstated year-round direct flights between Osaka (Itami) and Asahikawa starting October 25, 2026, marking the first year-round service between these locations in 17 years.

The zoo’s history and impact have been documented through various media, including the 2009 film “Asahiyama Zoo Story: Penguins Can Fly” and the works of former keeper and author Hiroshi Abe, whose murals decorate the facility.