My visit made me depressed. I think zoos should focus on a few interesting animals and create living spaces for these animals that don't make them apathetic. Seeing giraffes in cages where they can barely turn around is really a shame. The ostriches looked stressed, the sad bears only seemed to be looking for a way out. Huge birds in cages where they can't really fly around. We as humans should know better today.

Visited the Zoo during winter after spending the morning wandering around the Hokkaido Shrine at Maruyama Park.

It's very easy to get to, you can walk the scenic wood path through the forest though in winter make sure you're rugged up. Once you reach the entrance you purchase a ticket from the from kiosk windows (600yen for adults) and then head in and start to explore.

Unfortunately, being an older zoo the enclosures for the African and Tropical animals are not suited to a winter environment. They have been relocated indoors into small enclosures which is quite depressing. The lion paces around it's small area and the giraffe's pen seems too small for such a majestic creature. The only warm climate animals that seem to be fine with the interior enclosures are the meerkats who scamper around in the sand and scurry for insects that might be lurking underground.

On the other hand, animals suited to the winter climate have plenty of room. The red pandas are adorable as they frolic in the snow and the polar bear wanders around it's snowy enclosure giving visitor plenty of photo opportunities. The seals (kept separate from the polar bear) swim around in the aquarium structure nearby and the wolves move as a group in the snow.

The kiosk and gift store are both quite basic, but good if you're looking for some respite from the winter cold. Reasonably priced, the zoo is a good way to while away some time in the winter.