Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
In 1950, a moving zoo hosted by the Ueno Zoological Gardens from Tokyo was held in Sapporo. Due to its popularity, the “Maruyama Zoo” opened the next year in Hokkaido. It was initially a children’s park, but soon expanded with animals, and other venues. It is now a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
At the entrance plaza of Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, the autumn sunlight fell across the stone pavement covered with fallen leaves, surrounded by trees turning yellow and crisp, refreshing air.
As I strolled between the different exhibits, I saw kangaroos relaxing on the sand in the sun, came face-to-face with giraffes across the fence, and even spotted an imposing male lion sitting firmly atop a large rock.
The highlights were definitely the polar bear and seal exhibits. Not only could I see polar bears walking beside the rocky pool up close, but through the underwater glass tunnel, I could also watch spotted seals swimming gracefully through the clear water and adorably poking their heads out.
The indoor exhibits also had meerkats standing upright and looking around curiously. The entire zoo felt lively and soothing.
Overall, it’s a zoo with a rich variety of wildlife and a very comfortable atmosphere for strolling around. If you have the chance to visit Sapporo, it’s well worth making time to stop by.































