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

Jeff McD
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)
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
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
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
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...
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.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Admission (adult) | JPY 800 |
| Subway ticket | JPY 200 |
| Snack at kiosk | JPY 500 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 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.
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Address: 3-chōme-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan
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Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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Official WebsitePhone Number
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