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One of the largest zoos in the Tohoku region, where visitors can get up close and personal with some of the most ferocious animals.
“Yagiyama Zoological Park Fujisaki no Mori” is one of Tohoku’s leading zoos, home to more than 100 species of animals, including endangered species. Located in the neighborhood of Aobayama, where the ruins of Sendai Castle are located, the zoo is loved by locals and tourists alike for its easy accessibility (12 minutes by subway from Sendai Station, right off the Yagiyama Zoological Park Station) and for its diverse species of mammals, birds, and reptiles that can be observed.
Of these, the "Africa Park", where you can see African elephants, giraffes, and zebras at a glance, and the "Ravenous Animal House", where you can observe rare Sumatran tigers and polar bears up close and personal, are must-sees. Both of these exhibits are appealing because they bring out the true ecology of the animals. The red panda, with its adorable appearance, is very popular, and the monkey mountain, with its large number of Japanese macaques acting as they please, is a delightful sight to see. In addition, the "Fureai-kan (Petting Hall)" where visitors can interact with goats and other animals and give them treats is also recommended.
After observing the animals, head to "Good Gout Terrace", which offers a variety of visually pleasing menu items such as the "Shirokuma Plate" with cute footprint toppings. This café-restaurant is also a great place for adults to enjoy pizza with beer. On the way home, you can look for souvenirs at the Zebra Shop.
Yagiyama Zoological Park Fujisaki no Mori, built in a good location near the Yagiyama Zoological Park subway station.
The red panda is a popular zoo animal. Their fluffy fur and movements are adorable.
Polar bears can be observed up close in the "Ravenous Animal House”
“Africa Park", a recreation of the savanna
Good Gout Terrace also has cute menu items such as "Shirokuma (Polar bear) Plate (front)" and "Yagi-san (Goat) Plate (back)”.
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
Pamphlet ⇒ Japanese only
Signs introducing animals in the park ⇒ Available in English
Official website ⇒ Can be displayed in multiple languages by automatic translation function
Q
Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
Re-entry is not allowed.
Q
Is free WiFi available in the facility?
Not available.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Available (for a fee).
Q
Can I also pay the entrance fee by card?
Yes.Please check the website below for accepted credit cards and other payment methods.
https://www.city.sendai.jp/zoo/information/1-guide.html
Some reviews are AI-translated.
After walking around Yagiyama Zoological Park in Sendai, I thought it was really nice overall! It's easy to get to, and exploring the zoo is very relaxing! After leaving the station, you can take the elevator directly to the fifth floor, then follow the route all the way down. There's no need to struggle with climbing up and down, making the visit easy and effortless.
You can also interact with small animals up close for free! In addition to seeing all kinds of animals, you can pet sheep and rabbits at no charge. Just get a numbered ticket first and then line up when it's your turn! There happened to be no one there at all when we went, so we didn't have to wait and could immediately enjoy interacting with the small animals up close. We were so lucky!
The zoo's thoughtful design was the biggest surprise! The animals all looked well cared for, the routes through the zoo were smoothly planned, and even the viewing areas were cleverly designed. It's especially suitable for families with young children, with many details taking their needs into consideration. The viewing platforms even have small steps so children can easily see the animals. Even the sinks are set at a child-friendly height, though the 3-year-old with us actually complained that they were too low.
From the visitor routes to the various facilities, you can really feel how welcoming the zoo is to children. Adults can explore with ease, while kids can have a great time too!
During my trip to Sendai, I made special plans for the activity I was looking forward to most: visiting Yagiyama Zoological Park to see the super-cute red pandas. It's easy to reach from downtown by subway or bus, so getting there is very convenient.
The zoo is located on a small hillside, and on the day I visited, I was lucky enough to run into a group of elementary school students on a field trip. Their sweet, innocent appearance instantly melted my heart. But what I was most excited about, of course, was seeing the red pandas in the outdoor area. It was a chilly autumn day, so I bought a hot coffee and relaxed on a bench, watching them nimbly climb trees up close and look unbelievably adorable. My heart just melted. The entire zoo has a comfortable, soothing atmosphere, making it a perfect place that you'll be reluctant to leave.
Yagiyama Zoological Park is one of my favorite attractions. Admission is affordable, and transportation is quite convenient. Take the Sendai Subway Tozai Line to Yagiyama Zoological Park Station, then walk about 12 minutes to get there. It's great for families with children, and even adults can have a lot of fun exploring.
The zoo isn't very large, making it ideal for a leisurely half-day stroll. Along the way, you can observe the daily routines and habits of various animals up close without getting too tired from walking, and enjoy spending time around them.
The most popular animals at the zoo are definitely the polar bears! Two adorable polar bear cubs, Kai and Sora, were born in December 2024, bringing new energy to the zoo and attracting many polar bear fans with professional cameras. Watching the two cubs play energetically and explore their surroundings is heartwarming. The zoo also holds a special birthday celebration for them every December, so if you happen to visit during that time of year, it's worth keeping an eye out for it.
Yagiyama Zoological Park in Sendai is thoughtfully designed. You can even see cute animal paintings on the subway station walls. Japanese zoos really put a lot of care into their planning.
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