Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
A city zoo where Hokkaido's brown bears and wolves live alongside elephants and giraffes.
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Sapporo Maruyama Zoo
SaveA city zoo where Hokkaido's brown bears and wolves live alongside elephants and giraffes.
Just inside the west gate, children stop at a playground of animal-shaped slides and crawl-in burrows.
MoreWhat kind of place
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo is run by the City of Sapporo, and its animal houses are grouped by region.
The Asia zone has three: the Tropical Rainforest House (lar gibbons, small-clawed otters), the Alpine House (red pandas, Himalayan black bears), and the Cold Zone House (Amur tigers, snow leopards).
The Africa zone holds hippos, lions, giraffes, and meerkats, and the Asian elephants have a house of their own. Hokkaido's own animals fill two more buildings: brown bears in one, Ezo deer and wolves in the other. The zoo also posts the times when you can watch the animals eat.
Sources and evidence (24)
- Child-height urinals are among the fittings the zoo lists for its restrooms, so check the zoo's restroom list for which ones have them.source
- The same list includes a row for baby seats.source
- Strollers for children aged 2 and under are rented at the main gate and the west gate.source
- A stroller costs 250 yen to rent, with 10 available at the main gate and 14 at the west gate.source
- Wheelchairs are lent free at both gates (11 adult and 3 child sizes at the main gate, 10 adult and 2 child sizes at the west gate), normally up to two per group.source
- Both gates have coin lockers: 200-yen lockers (36 at the main gate, 18 at the west gate), 300-yen lockers (6 and 2), and 400-yen lockers (9 and 6).source
- Two emergency house phones, one beside the pay phone near Monkey Mountain and one on the outside wall by the first rest house entrance, reach staff about injuries, sudden illness, lost children and lost property.source
- There is one pay phone near Monkey Mountain.source
- You can look around the grounds in advance on Google Street View, and the zoo asks you to view images from October 2022 or later.source
- Air-conditioned buildings are designated as cooling spots for getting out of summer heat.source
- There are 11 cooling spots: the Zoo Center, the Science Center, the first rest house, Museum Shop Maruyama, the Official Station, Nature Cafe Earth, the Cold Zone House, the Alpine House, the Polar Bear House, the Ezo deer and wolf building, and the Giraffe House.source
- The Polar Bear House keeps polar bears and seals.source
- The Ezo brown bear house and the Ezo deer and wolf building bring together animals native to Hokkaido.source
- The Asia zone splits into the Tropical Rainforest House (lar gibbons, small-clawed otters and others), the Alpine House (red pandas, Himalayan black bears) and the Cold Zone House (Amur tigers, snow leopards).source
- The Africa zone splits into the Hippo and Lion House (hippos, lions, spotted hyenas and others) and the Giraffe House (giraffes, ostriches, meerkats and others).source
- Bornean orangutans are kept in the Orangutan and Forest of Borneo building.source
- Asian elephants are kept in the elephant house.source
- Other buildings include the Tropical Bird House, the waterfowl house (penguins, red-crowned cranes and others), the Reptile and Amphibian House (crocodiles, snakes, frogs and others), the Chimpanzee House, the Monkey House, Monkey Mountain (Japanese macaques), the Forest of Owls and Hawks, the Kangaroo House and the birds of prey enclosure.source
- A wooded area signposted as the Zoo Forest sits inside the grounds.source
- Rest areas are the first rest house, the view rest house, the Science Center, the Zoo Center, the second floor of the Ezo deer and wolf building, and the second floor of the Giraffe House in the Africa zone.source
- Places to eat and buy gifts are the Sky, Nature Cafe Earth, the Official Station, the Zoo Cafe, the Official Shop, Museum Shop Maruyama and Danny's Restaurant.source
- As an extra for visitors, the zoo posts times when you can watch the animals eat.source
- On July 31, 2026, the zoo also released a statement on the future direction of its lion keeping.source
- On August 8, 2026, the zoo announced the death of Iyokan, a small-clawed otter.source
With kidsThe part that matters
If the kids need to run before they will walk anywhere, come in through the west gate, where the playground sits just inside.
Maruppa, as it is called, has slides shaped like animals and burrows to crawl into, and children tend to stop dead there, so leave it some time before you start on the animal houses.
The whole playground is closed through the winter. You can rent a stroller at either gate for a child aged 2 or under, and seven nursing rooms are spread around the grounds.
The zoo also offers three route maps, so you can take the one made for parents and children, or the 90-minute loop of Hokkaido's own animals, instead of working out your own way round.
Sources and evidence (5)
- There is a playground called Maruppa, which closes for the winter.source
- Polar bear house at the far end: an 18 m underwater tunnel, 20 cm glass, and a nursing room for one family at a time.source
- Stroller rental at the main and west gates for Y250, an infant model too; six nursing rooms are spread across the zoo.source
- The west-gate stand is known for its fried bread; crows target children's food, so eat inside a rest house or shop.source
- Fifteen minutes on foot from Maruyama-koen station and slopes after that; parking lots fill around 10 on weekends.source
By age0-1 / 2-3 / 4-6
- Ages 0-1The Asian elephants in the elephant house and the giraffes in the Africa Zone's Giraffe House can be looked up at from your arms. The Polar Bear House keeps polar bears and seals.There are seven nursing rooms in the zoo: two at the Children's Zoo, one on the first floor of the Monkey Mountain Observation Rest House, four at the First Rest House, three on the second floor of the Ezo Deer and Wolf House, two on the second floor of the Giraffe House, one on the first floor of the Polar Bear House, and one at the Zoo Center. Hot water for formula is offered at six places in the zoo; ask the staff there. Multipurpose restrooms with a baby seat or bed are at ten spots including the main gate, the Zoo Center, the Children's Zoo, and the west gate. Rental strollers are for children 2 and under at 250 yen each, 10 at the main gate and 14 at the west gate. The main gate restroom closes for the winter.
- Ages 2-3The Children's Zoo holds the Squirrel Monkey Dome, the Dosanko Horse Forest, and the Beaver Forest. There is a playground called Maruppa, and a commemorative stamp at both the main gate and the west gate.The Maruppa playground closes for the winter. The rental strollers are for children 2 and under (250 yen each); the winter strollers, for ages 3 to preschool, are free at the main and west gates but there are only two per gate and they cannot be reserved. The zoo's restroom facility list includes rows for a children's urinal, a baby chair, and a multipurpose sheet. In summer 11 buildings are designated cooling spots, but they are not strongly air-conditioned; they are places to escape dangerous heat, and depending on the outside temperature the cooling may not be running.
- Ages 4-6Three themed course maps are offered - one recommended for parents and children, one covering Hokkaido's animals in 90 minutes, and one for enjoying the zoo in snow - so children can choose the route. Scanning the QR codes on posters around the zoo opens an AR photo frame usable anywhere on the grounds. There is also a visitor feature, "Let's watch the animals eat!"Winter strollers for ages 3 to preschool can be borrowed free at the main and west gates (two per gate, no reservations). Children's wheelchairs are also free - three at the main gate and two at the west gate - though lending stops in winter when it snows and cannot be reserved. For the lions, a notice titled "Progress of the cohabitation training and suspension of viewing" was posted on July 31, 2026 (as of the check on 2026-08-14). Electronic tickets can be bought in advance.
By weatherRain, heat, cold
- Rainy dayYou can break up the walk at indoor rest spots — the Zoo Center, the Animal Science Museum, the First Rest House, the second floor of the Giraffe House — but the Maruppa playground is outdoors.
- Hot dayNot checked yet
- Cold dayNot checked yet
How was it with your kids?
Not greatGreat
Family checks✓ easy for your family
- ElevatorElevator：not checked
- Stroller OKStroller friendly：with conditionsconditions
- RentalStroller rental：with conditionsconditions
- NursingNursing space：with conditionsconditions
- ChangingDiaper changing table：with conditionsconditions
- Family WCFamily restroom：with conditionsconditions
- Kids' toiletKids' toilet seat & step stool：with conditionsconditions
- Own foodOutside food allowed：not checked
- EnglishEnglish support：with conditionsconditions
Tap a mark for details
* Other not checked (7)
Diaper disposal bin, Child switch (rider swap), Steps & slope caution, Official family-friendly certification, Best-fit ages (guide), Quietness (guide), Crowding (guide)
Green = we confirmed it. Gray = not checked yet. Gray with a line through = the place does not have it.
Worth a look before you go
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
Polar bear house at the far end: an 18 m underwater tunnel, 20 cm glass, and a nursing room for one family at a time.
The polar bear house at Maruyama Zoo with kids: nursing rooms, changing tables and what to look for
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
Stroller rental at the main and west gates for Y250, an infant model too; six nursing rooms are spread across the zoo.
Rent strollers, nursing rooms and changing tables at Maruyama Zoo
Japanese · opens translatedOfficial
The west-gate stand is known for its fried bread; crows target children's food, so eat inside a rest house or shop.
Gift shops, canteens and rest houses
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
Fifteen minutes on foot from Maruyama-koen station and slopes after that; parking lots fill around 10 on weekends.
A Hokkaido mother's Maruyama Zoo review: what works and what to watch for
Sapporo Maruyama Zoo · Links & reads ▾
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Where to go next
With a baby (0–1)
- Sapporo Beer GardenBeer hall & Genghis Khan lamb barbecueStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table5.0 kmGenghis Khan lamb and beer in five restaurants around a red-brick Hokkaido Heritage hall.
- Sapporo KanihonkeCrab kaiseki restaurantElevator3.7 kmA long-established crab kaiseki restaurant by Sapporo Station, the only branch left in Hokkaido.
- Shiroi Koibito ParkChocolate theme parkStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table4.6 kmA chocolate theme park run by ISHIYA, where you watch Shiroi Koibito cookies being made.
- Nemuro Hanamaru Kaiten SushiConveyor-belt sushiStroller friendlyFamily restroom3.6 kmA conveyor-belt sushi chain serving Nemuro-caught fish, with seven branches in Sapporo.
For a meal
- Sapporo Beer GardenBeer hall & Genghis Khan lamb barbecueStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table5.0 kmGenghis Khan lamb and beer in five restaurants around a red-brick Hokkaido Heritage hall.
- Sapporo KanihonkeCrab kaiseki restaurantElevator3.7 kmA long-established crab kaiseki restaurant by Sapporo Station, the only branch left in Hokkaido.
- Nemuro Hanamaru Kaiten SushiConveyor-belt sushiStroller friendlyFamily restroom3.6 kmA conveyor-belt sushi chain serving Nemuro-caught fish, with seven branches in Sapporo.
Where it is
3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 064-0959source
Before you go
- The restroom at the main gate is closed during the winter.source
- In winter, both gates lend free strollers made for snow, for children from age 3 until they start elementary school. There are two per gate, and they cannot be reserved.source
- Once the snow starts, the zoo stops lending wheelchairs for the season, and you cannot reserve one ahead for that period either.source
- In summer the zoo designates air-conditioned buildings as "cooling spots" for getting out of dangerous heat. They are not kept strongly air-conditioned, and depending on the outside temperature the cooling may not be running at all.source
- Lion viewing is suspended while the lions are being introduced to each other (zoo notice July 31, 2026; checked August 14, 2026), so confirm on the zoo's site before you go.source
More notes (1)
- Electronic tickets can be bought in advance.source
Basics
- Booking：Admission tickets can be bought online in advancesourceOfficial booking site ↗
Basics in detail (5)
Other
- The zoo is run by the City of Sapporo, which lists it simply as Maruyama Zoo in its directory of public facilities.source
Getting there
- Universal MaaS is an accessibility map and navigation service run by the City of Sapporo, and for this zoo it shows walking routes, restrooms and elevators on the grounds.source
Time to allow
- Three themed route maps are offered: one recommended for parents and children, one covering Hokkaido's animals in 90 minutes, and one for enjoying the zoo in the snow.source
Contact
- The zoo is at 3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0959.
- The phone number is 011-621-1426.
Once you've decided
evidence & sources (10)
- Official: Stroller friendly, Stroller rental, Nursing space
- Official: English support, Indoor / outdoor, Stroller access notes
- Official: main site
Sapporo runs this zoo. Houses for Hokkaido's own animals stand together - Ezo brown bears, Ezo deer and wolves - and the Africa zone holds giraffes and hippos. Red pandas and snow leopards live in the Asia zone, Asian elephants in the elephant house. Seals share the polar bear house. The children's zoo keeps squirrel monkeys and beavers, and a playground closes for winter. Eleven buildings are marked as places to get out of dangerous summer heat.
| Stroller friendly | Yes | Strollers for children aged 2 and under are rented out at the Main Gate and the West Gate, Y250 each (10 at the Main Gate, 14 at the West Gate). Winter strollers for ages 3 to pre-school are free, two at each gate, no reservations. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroller rental | Yes | Y250 per stroller (for children 2 and under) at the Main and West Gates; the winter stroller (ages 3 to pre-school) is free, two per gate. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Nursing space | Yes (7) | Seven nursing rooms: the Children's Zoo (2), Monkey Mountain View Rest House 1F (1), the First Rest House by the marine mammal house (4), the Ezo Deer & Wolf House 2F (3), the Giraffe House in the Africa Zone 2F (2), the Polar Bear House 1F (1) and the Zoo Center (1). Hot water for formula is given out at six places in the zoo - ask the staff. An extra room is opened in the Zoo Center at busy times such as Golden Week. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Diaper changing table | Yes | Baby seats and changing beds are in the multi-purpose toilets at the Main Gate, the Zoo Center, the Animal Science Hall, the Children's Zoo, behind Monkey Mountain, the West Gate, the First Rest House, the Ezo Deer & Wolf House, beside the Monkey House and in front of the Reptile House. The Main Gate toilets close in winter. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Family restroom | Yes | Multi-purpose toilets with baby seats and beds, wheelchair access and ostomate facilities are at ten places across the zoo. The Main Gate toilets close in winter. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Yes | The zoo's toilet list includes children's urinals among the fixtures, alongside baby seats, baby chairs and multi-purpose changing benches. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Diaper disposal bin | Not checked yet | ||||
| English support | English menu & signs | Guide maps are published in English and Korean as PDFs, and the digital map works on a phone without an app. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Outside food allowed | Not checked yet | ||||
| Elevator | Not checked yet | ||||
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoor & outdoor | Animal houses such as the Polar Bear House, the Reptile House and the Animal Science Hall are indoors, while Monkey Mountain and the Marueppa playground are outdoors. Eleven buildings are designated summer cooling spots. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Child switch (rider swap) | Not checked yet | ||||
| Steps & slope caution | Not checked yet | ||||
| Lost-child supportExtra info — guide only | Yes | Two internal emergency phones - beside the public phone near Monkey Mountain and outside the First Rest House entrance - are for reporting injuries, illness, lost children and lost property. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jp |
| Official family-friendly certificationExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Best-fit ages (guide)Extra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Quietness (guide)Extra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Crowding (guide)Extra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Stroller access notesExtra info — guide only | Yes | Wheelchairs are lent free at both gates (11 adult and 3 child sizes at the Main Gate, 10 and 2 at the West Gate; rental stops when snow falls, no reservations, normally two per group). Coin lockers are at both gates, from Y200 to Y400. Sapporo's Universal Map/Navi shows the zoo's paths, toilets and elevators. | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | city.sapporo.jpcity.sapporo.jp |
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