Tohoku Safari Park, Safari park in Nihonmatsu, Japan
Tohoku Safari Park sits in Fukushima Prefecture and lets visitors observe lions, tigers, bears, and other animals from a car or bus. The drive-through enclosures are organized by geographic zones, so you can see African savanna species and Asian forest animals in replicated habitats.
The park opened in the 1990s as one of the first safari facilities in northern Japan and has since allowed many families in the region to encounter international wildlife. Over time, the facility expanded its breeding programs and acquired several rare big cat species.
Local students regularly visit the park for educational programs that combine traditional Japanese respect for nature with modern wildlife management techniques.
A drive-through circuit takes about an hour, and visiting on weekdays or outside holiday periods helps avoid queues. Visitors without their own car can board a park bus that follows the same route and pauses at different viewing points.
White lions are on display here, a rare variant seldom found in the wild. The facility emphasizes spacious enclosures, so the animals have more room than in many traditional zoos.
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