Aso Cuddly Dominion, Animal park in Aso, Japan
Aso Cuddly Dominion is an animal park in Aso, Japan, that presents various mammals in spacious outdoor enclosures. Elevated walkways and observation points allow visitors to view the animals from different angles, while the site extends across several interconnected sections.
The facility originally opened in 1973 as a bear ranch, focusing initially on these native animals of the Kumamoto region. Expansion to include additional species and entertainment offerings led to the renaming in 1998.
The Japanese name of the facility, Cuddly Dominion, reflects the playful approach visitors take when experiencing animals up close. The chimpanzees are often active and communicative, drawing guests from around the world to spend longer periods observing their behavior.
The park lies around 35 kilometers from Kumamoto Interchange and opens in the morning at 9:30 until the evening at 5:30. Sturdy footwear makes walking the elevated paths easier, and during warm months, shaded areas offer opportunities to rest.
A glass-bottom bridge allows visitors to see bears from above as they walk beneath. An underground viewing tunnel additionally provides a look from below into the enclosures, creating two uncommon perspectives on the animals.
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