Aso Cuddly Dominion
A hillside zoo in Aso where Bear Valley holds about 130 bears of three species.
piggybackjapan.com
Aso Cuddly Dominion
SaveA hillside zoo in Aso where Bear Valley holds about 130 bears of three species.
Some bears answer a held-out snack with a beckoning pose, seen from a glass bridge over the valley.
Note: the helicopter sightseeing ride is suspended.
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- ElevatorElevator：not checked
- Stroller OKStroller friendly：with conditionsconditions
- RentalStroller rental：not checked
- NursingNursing space：with conditionsconditions
- ChangingDiaper changing table：not checked
- Diaper binDiaper disposal bin：not checked
- Family WCFamily restroom：not checked
- Kids' toiletKids' toilet seat & step stool：not checked
- Own foodOutside food allowed：with conditionsconditions
- EnglishEnglish support：not checked
Green = we confirmed it. Grey = not checked yet. Grey with a line through = the place does not have it.
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evidence & sources (4)
- Official: Stroller friendly, Nursing space, Outside food allowed
- Official: Indoor / outdoor
- Official: main site
The park sits on the slopes of Aso, with viewpoints over the mountains through the grounds. Bear Valley is the heart of it: about 130 bears of three kinds, including Asian black bears and brown bears. Some answer a held-out snack with a beckoning pose, and the snacks are limited in number. A glass bridge crosses above the valley, and the area is roofed. The Children's Square is indoors and heated, with guinea pigs, parrots, alpacas, goats and reptiles to touch.
| Stroller friendly | Yes | Stroller rental at the entrance: ¥500 for 3 hours, ¥100 per extra hour, plus a ¥1,000 deposit returned when you bring it back. For babies from 1 month to 4 years (48 months) up to 18kg. The park map includes a recommended wheelchair route | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | cuddly.co.jp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing space | Yes (3) | Three nursing rooms in the park (locations are not given) | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | cuddly.co.jp |
| Outside food allowed | Yes | Lawns around the park are for picnics — the park itself suggests eating your bento on the grass. There is also a restaurant serving udon and curry (summer 11:00-15:30, winter 11:00-15:00) | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | cuddly.co.jp |
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoor & outdoor | Mainly outdoors on the slopes of Aso, but Bear Valley is roofed (an umbrella is needed in places) and the Children's Square, including the reptile house, is indoors with heating and air conditioning | Web-checked | checked Aug ’26 | cuddly.co.jp |
| Diaper changing table | Not checked yet | ||||
| Family restroom | Not checked yet | ||||
| Diaper disposal bin | Not checked yet | ||||
| English support | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Not checked yet | ||||
| Elevator | Not checked yet |
Worth a look before you go
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
[Zoo] Aso Cuddly Dominion, Kumamoto
Two shows, at Miyazawa Theatre and the Pookies stage, run at different places and times. You feed the bears from above.
note.com2024
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
ayaka.o's discovery report from Aso Cuddly Dominion
Feeding the bears in Bear Valley and holding a cub born in February, then 11kg. Alpacas and penguins take food too.
trico.jal.com2025
Japanese · opens translatedFirst-hand
November needs warm clothes: a family report from Aso Cuddly Dominion, plus real Kumamoto ramen
On 8 November Aso was 13C against Fukuoka's 19C — bring a down jacket. In winter the food stands stop orders at 14:30.
nacky1122.com2025
Aso Cuddly Dominion · Links & reads ▾
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Basics
- Fee：Adults (high school and up) ¥2,600 weekdays / ¥2,900 weekends, holidays and peak days. Children (primary and junior high) ¥1,400, ages 3 and over ¥800. Animal shows are free to watch. Half price for a disability certificate holder plus one accompanying adult. Annual passes ¥10,000 / ¥5,000 / ¥2,500. Parking is free■
- Hours：Summer (20 Mar-12 Oct 2026) 9:30-17:00, until 17:30 on designated days. Winter (13 Oct 2026-19 Mar 2027) 10:00-16:30. Closed Wednesdays from December to February, except during the school winter break and public holidays■
- Booking：Tickets from a machine (cash, credit card, e-money, QR payment) or the staffed counter (cash, credit card, WAON, UnionPay); discounts are handled only at the counter. All advance tickets must be exchanged at the staffed window■Official booking site ↗
- Note: the helicopter sightseeing ride is suspended. The park reopened as normal on 29 July 2026 after checks following the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake■