| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-5521-3172 |
| Notes | Large park, playground, walking paths, park golf, event space, museum, jogging spot, picnic area, free parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The park is in central Obihiro. The park is an 18 minute walk from Obihiro station or a 6 minute drive. Simply head straight down 'Koen Odori Avenue'. 〒080-0846 Hokkaido, Obihiro, Midorigaoka, 2 |
This massive park is located in the middle of the city of Obihiro. Stretching to 50 hectares, this comprehensive park contains a park golf course, the Obihiro Zoo and the Obihiro Centennial Hall, plus walking trails and a pond. Midorigaoka Park has many different sections to it. One area is the ‘Green Park’ is a huge mowed lawn for people to enjoy. It is lined by a bench, but not just any bench. The bench here runs for 400 meters! Plenty of space to find a seat. beyond this large green space is a large stage used for events. Plus there is a park golf course as well.
You can find many of Obihiro’s older residents enjoy the park golf course. Past this is the Obihiro Centennial Hall, which serves as a museum and gallery for the local area. Near here there are winding paths that run through the park with sculptures and benches to enjoy. There is also a large pond. here you can rent out small row boats and have a paddle. Further on is the entrance to to zoo. This park, is not too far a walk from the station and if you have time is a top spot to visit in any season. In spring, the cherry blossoms are out and the autumn leaves are equally beautiful.
| Admission | Annual Pass – 1000 yen Adults – 600 yen Children (under 15) – free Group (30 or more) – 540 yen |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 – 16:00 |
| Closed | December 29, 30, 31 |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0959 Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Miyagaoka, ３−１ On the south-west side of Maruyama Park |
For those who like zoos, there are two main zoos in Hokkaido. One being in Asahikawa, the other being in Maruyama Park in Sapporo. Maruyama Zoo opened its doors to the nation in 1951 on May 5th for children’s day. It is the home to 177 varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles and is currently raising and exhibiting 991 types of living creatures. The zoo is not huge by any standards so it is easy to get around and see everything in a couple of hours. Previously, the zoos enclosures had been criticized for being too small and although work still needs to be done, effort and progress has been made to build larger and more “naturalistic” spaces for the various animals. Work is constantly being done and the enclosures are being upgraded.
The zoos main selling point is the polar bear enclosure. As the polar bear is on the brink of extinction in the wild, zoos may be the only place to see these magnificent animals. Maruyama zoo is a place where you can get up close to see them. Currently residing are a male and a female “Lara”with her two cubs. Breeding polar bears in captivity is quite difficult, but even in the wild numbers have been dwindling due to a deteriorating natural environment. Since the year 2000 only two places in Japan have successfully birthed baby polar bears, Oga Aquarium and Maruyama Zoo. Of these Maruyama Zoo is the only place to have twins! If you want to get even closer to the animals there is a petting zoo for the young kids. Fortunately, this is not the Hokkaido brown bear or the tigers, but mostly farm animals. The petting zoo is home to sheep, chickens, geese and a plethora of other small cute animals. The zoo has various events during the day, with a zoo keeper feeding the animals and talking about them (in Japanese).
If you cant speak Japanese its still a good time to see the animals having a feed. Afterwards, if you are getting a little peckish yourself, then there are a few restaurants, snack shops and even a convenience store on the grounds. Overall, for a cheap day out, the price is very affordable to see and learn about some animals you’ve never seen close up before.
