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Japan/Things to Do in Sapporo, solo trip

Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo (solo trip)

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How Solo-Friendly is Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo?

81%Solo-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 81% Solo-Friendly: A solo visitor pays only ¥800, can roam at own pace, join English volunteer tours, photograph animals in glass tunnels, and warm up in indoor pavilions, so the zoo fills half a day comfortably.

Google
Reviews4.3/ 5
(from 9,066 reviews)
Sapporo Zoo (Maruyama Zoo) Hokkaido Japan
9 min
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Sapporo Zoo (Maruyama Zoo) Hokkaido Japan
8.9K views • 5 months ago
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo Walkaround
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Sapporo Maruyama Zoo Walkaround
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Positives:

  • Easy Access: Take the Tōzai Subway Line to Maruyama Kōen Station, then a 10-minute walk.
  • Compact Layout: You can cover all zones in under four hours without backtracking.

Challenges:

  • Limited English Signage: Most exhibit labels are in Japanese; ask staff for translations.
  • Outdoor Routes: Prepare for rain or sun; bring an umbrella or hat.
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🏖️ Explore Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo?

  • A compact urban zoo set in the foothills of Maruyama primeval forest, just west of central Sapporo
  • A zoological collection that showcases mammals, birds and reptiles—from polar bears and snow leopards to red pandas and giraffes
  • A facility designed with naturalistic habitats, underwater viewing tunnels and open-air aviaries for raptors

What is so special about Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo for solo trip?

  1. Underwater tunnel lets you see polar bears swim overhead
  2. Free volunteer tours share insider animal stories
  3. Dokidoki shows let you handle birds of prey
  4. Night Zoo offers a different atmosphere in summer
  5. Close to Maruyama Park for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

Recommended visit duration: 3-4 hours

Why 3-4 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Allows time to see main exhibits, join a volunteer tour, and attend an animal show.

(View Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo on Map)

Solo-Friendly Activities in Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

Explore Polar Bear Pavilion:

Walk through an underwater glass tunnel under polar bears.

Tip: Arrive at opening to catch active bears and avoid lines.

Join a Volunteer Guide Tour:

Hear behind-the-scenes stories at key exhibits.

Tip: Ask at the information booth right after entry to join the next tour.

Attend a Dokidoki Experience:

Watch birds of prey fly and land on your gloved arm.

Tip: Collect free tickets 30 minutes before each show at the program area.

Visit Night Zoo (summer):

See animals under special lighting on July–August weekends.

Tip: Check dates on the official site and stay after 6 pm.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

  1. Map Ahead: Download the zoo map before arrival to plan your route.
  2. Warm Breaks: Use heated rest areas near the reptile and rainforest pavilions in cold weather.
🏖️ Tour Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

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Jeff McD

Jeff McD

Aug 2025

One of the best zoos I've ever visited! The zoo grounds is immense and never feel cramped. Most of the animals have large enclosures with indoor and outdoor spaces, so they can roam around during different seasons and not feel trapped. We saw a large assortment of animals here (birds are a bit lackluster but that's ok. There's a different place for that). The polar bear was hiding when we visited ...

Mohammed Y (‫بو جاسم‬‎)

Mohammed Y (‫بو جاسم‬‎)

Aug 2025

I visited Maruyama Zoo in Sapporo recently. The place is clean and well-organized, and there’s a good variety of animals to see. Some enclosures are more spacious than others, but overall the animals seemed well taken care of. It’s a nice spot for families or a quiet afternoon walk. Not too big, so you can see everything in a couple of hours. Worth a visit if you’re nearby, but don’t expect anythi...

Phan Hanh

Phan Hanh

Jun 2025

I visited Maruyama Zoo (円山動物園) in Sapporo during the winter, when everything was covered in white snow. The scenery was beautiful and felt like stepping into another world. Despite the cold weather, all the animals looked healthy and well-cared for, which shows how dedicated the staff are. It was also my first time ever seeing a polar bear, seal, and penguin in real life — such an amazing and mem...

Steven Cheng

Steven Cheng

May 2025

This zoo needs a lot of tender care. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon, only very few people or visitors were here! But we do see some very young school kids here to have their field day! Even this zoo doesn’t have lots of animals, all the animals they have are in good condition and health. But there are many, I mean many empty stalls without any animals. That makes the zoo looked very sad. Th...

Huan lim

Huan lim

May 2025

Date: 03/05/2025 Reach around 10am, took a nice stroll along the trail. It is nice to reach before the crowd. A very nice zoo, I must say, much much better than Asahiyama Zoo. Lots of animals to visit ❤️ The Tiger and Brown Bear were very accommodating that day, moving a lot and interactive. The staff at the indoor seating for the elephant gave a nice explanation about the elephant while throwin...

When is the best time to visit Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo, Japan)?

Spring brings cherry blossoms in the adjacent Maruyama Park. Summer offers Night Zoo sessions on weekend evenings. Autumn lights up nearby trails with red leaves. In winter, use the heated indoor pavilions to stay warm.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Sapporo on Trip.com

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Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Admission ticketJPY 800
Lunch or snackJPY 700
Coffee or drinkJPY 500
Total EstimatedJPY 2,000

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

Address: 3-chōme-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan

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About Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

Opening Hours

Monday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday:9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+81 11-621-1426

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