Obihiro Zoo, Zoo in Midorigaoka Park, Obihiro, Japan
Obihiro Zoo is a zoo set within Midorigaoka Park in Obihiro, on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, and houses animals from a range of climates, including polar bears and reticulated giraffes. The grounds are laid out across a green park, with open enclosures that allow clear views of the animals.
The zoo opened in 1963, making it one of the first places in the Tokachi region where people could see and learn about wild animals. Over the following decades, the site was gradually expanded to take in a wider range of species.
The zoo is known for its area dedicated to the Banba horse, a heavy draft breed that played a central role in Hokkaido's farming history. Visitors can observe these horses up close, getting a direct sense of an animal tied to life in the region.
The zoo is open from April through November, with longer hours during summer, and is only accessible on weekends from December through February. It is worth checking the schedule in advance, as opening times change noticeably depending on the season.
Polar bears are one of the harder animals to keep healthy in Japan's climate, yet this zoo, located in one of the coldest parts of the country, provides winter conditions that come closer to their natural habitat than most other Japanese zoos can. This makes it one of the few places in Japan where polar bears can be seen in a setting that actually resembles the cold they come from.
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