渋川動物公園, Animal park in Tamano, Japan.
Shibukawa Zoo (渋川動物公園) is a privately run zoo in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture, opened on 29 March 1989. Its roughly 10-hectare site on a hillside about 150 m above sea level keeps unpaved earth paths, with a walking route of some 4 km through wooded ground. It keeps about 80 species and 600 animals, and around 21 kinds of fruit trees grow on the grounds.
The zoo opened in 1989 and was built around the idea of giving animals more natural conditions than a traditional zoo would offer. Over time, it grew into a place where conservation and direct contact with animals go together.
The park sits inside Setonaikai National Park, and visitors notice that the animals live in open, wooded spaces rather than behind bars. This approach to animal care is still rare in Japan and gives the place a distinct character.
Most of the grounds are natural forest floor, so sturdy shoes are a good idea, especially after rain. The park is open all year, and weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends.
Visitors can borrow a dog and walk it through the wooded paths of the park, something rarely offered at zoos in Japan. This hands-on experience sets the visit apart from a standard zoo trip.
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