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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
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What makes it 81% Solo-Friendly: The 800-yen ticket lets a solo traveler freely set pace, photograph animals from tunnels, and join English volunteer tours, but the child-centric layout offers limited quiet corners for reflection.

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 • 7 months ago
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo Walkaround
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Sapporo Maruyama Zoo Walkaround
1.2K views • 1 year ago

Positives:

  • Clear navigation: Signs include English labels and free maps at the entrance
  • Small-group tours: Volunteer-led tours cater to solo visitors and require no booking
  • Heated rest areas: Indoor pavilions near main exhibits offer seating and warmth

Challenges:

  • Outdoor exposure: Many exhibits are open-air—dress warmly in winter and wear sun protection in summer
  • Limited English signage: Some information boards are only in Japanese—ask staff for help
  • Limited Dokidoki seats: Seats for the bird-of-prey show fill quickly—arrive early to secure a spot
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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. Self-guided and volunteer tours for tailored exploration
  2. Unique Dokidoki Experience with birds of prey
  3. Underwater tunnels let you photograph polar bears close-up
  4. Heated indoor areas make winter visits comfortable
  5. Night Zoo offers a different atmosphere on summer weekends

Recommended visit duration: 3-4 hours

Why 3-4 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Allows time for self-guided exploration, a volunteer tour, and the Dokidoki Experience

(View Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo on Map)

Solo-Friendly Activities in Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

Self-guided walk of all zones:

Explore each exhibit from the Reptile House to Africa Zone at your own pace

Tip: Pick up a map at the entrance and follow exhibit numbers to stay on track

Volunteer guide tour:

Join a no-reservation tour led by English-speaking volunteers

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

Dokidoki Experience:

Watch free-flight demos of raptors and try having a kite land on your gloved arm

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

Underwater viewing tunnels:

See polar bears, seals and hippos swim overhead through clear glass

Tip: Visit early to avoid crowds and get clear photos

Summer Night Zoo:

Experience softly lit exhibits on July–August weekends

Tip: Check dates on the zoo website and arrive around 7 PM for best lighting

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

  1. Arrive at opening: Beat the crowds and join the first volunteer tour
  2. Time underwater tunnels: Mid-morning light makes for the clearest photos through the glass
  3. Check show times online: Verify Dokidoki and Night Zoo schedules on the official website before you go
🏖️ 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)?

In spring, walk into Maruyama Park for cherry blossoms after your visit. In winter, use the heated rest pavilions near the reptile and rainforest houses to warm up.

✈️ 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 (adult)JPY 800
Subway ticketJPY 200
Snack at kioskJPY 500
Total EstimatedJPY 1,500

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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