Day 4 seems to look good. We were greeted by sunshine with cooling wind instead of rain. Japan’s streets are really worth photographing. Be it portraits, street photography or landscaping.

Today we planned to go Hokkaido Shrine. Thus we planned for Maruyama Zoo, since its quite near to Hokkaido Shrine.

 

To go to Maruyama Zoo.

From Tmark City Hotel, walk 8 minutes to Susukino Station Namboku Line各停towards Asabu → Odori Station, Tozai Line各停towards Miyanosawa . At Maruyamakoen Station

then walk about 3 minutes 円山公園駅前（バス）［円１５］動物園線towards 円山西町２丁目行 (Bus) → 円山西町１丁目（バス）Maruyama Zoo

Cost: ¥460

Travel Time ≈ 40 minutes

You’ll see these animals floor tiles at Maruyamakoen Station.

 

Take JR Hokkaido Bus (En 15) and get off at “Dobutsuen mae” bus stop, walk 1 minute.

Regular closing day	December 29, December 30, December 31

Purchase admission ticket from counter at a reasonable price of ¥600. Children is free of charge (below age 16).
*get a zoo map from the ticket counter*

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo (札幌市円山動物園 Sapporo Maruyama Dōbutsuen) is a municipal zoo in Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It opened on May 5, 1951.

The zoo is located within Maruyama Park in western Sapporo, and is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido. Sapporo Maruyama Zoo covers an area of 22.5 ha. 177 kinds of 924 animals are bred in February 28, 2014.

The Maruyama Zoo is one of the most nature-oriented zoos in the nation.

The zoo is very well organized with animals kept in different sections.

High Mountain House

High Mountain House (高山館) is one of Wakwak Asia Zone (わくわくアジアゾーン).

Tropical Rain Forest House

Tropical Rain Forest House is one of Wakwak Asia Zone. Sun Bear, Lion-tailed Macaque, Black Macaque Monkey, Leucopsar Rothschildi, Silvery Gibbon, Asian Small-clawed Otter, Asian Arowana, Malaysia Tapir, Orii Fruit Bat are bred at Tropical Rain Forest House (熱帯雨林館). Tourists can observe various animals in the Southeast Asia rain forest. Many animal species that are in an extinction crisis.

Frozen Zone House

Frozen Zone House (寒帯館) is one of Wakwak Asia Zone. Amur Tiger and Snow Leopard are bred at Frozen Zone House. The Amur Tiger inhabits along Amur River and seems to be height over 250 cm.

Anthropoid House

3 Borneo Orangutans and 2 White-handed Gibbons are bred at Anthropoid House (類人猿館). As for the borneo orangutan, the name of male are Teijiro (弟路郎) and Hayato (ハヤト), and the name of female is Rainbow (レインボー).

Waterfowl House

Humboldt Penguin, White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron, Heron, White Stork, Japanese Crane, Hawaiian Goose, Alopochen Aegyptiacus, Ruddy Shelduck, Cape Barren Goose are bred at Waterfowl House (総合水鳥舎).

Sea Animal House

1 Larga Seal and 2 Harbor Seals are bred at Sea Animal House (海獣舎). The name of the Larga Seal is F (エフ), and he is a male. Originally they inhabit the Bering Sea or the Sea of Okhotsk. They live mainly on fishes and are a great eater very much. As for the name of Harbor Seals, a female is Gg (ジージー) and a male is Chiharu (ちはる). They are a mother and a son. The Harbor Seals inhabit the Pacific and the Atlantic coastal place, and a neighborhood of Cape Erimo is the largest habitat in Japan. They live on fishes.

World Bear House

3 Polar Bears are breed at World Bear House (世界の熊館). The name of male is Denari (デナリ). The name of female are Lara (ララ) and Candy (キャンディ). Originally they inhabit the Arctic Ocean coast and are omnivorous animals. They hunt mammals such as seals mainly. As for a big individual, it seems to be length over 3 m and seems to be weigh over 800 kg. It is said that they are the largest carnivorous animal on the earth. However, they are animal species that are in an extinction crisis. The Polar Bear is a representative animal of Maruyama Zoo.

Tropical Bird House

Phoenicopterus Ruber, Chilean Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Mandarin Duck, Philippine Hanging Parrot, Bycanistes Cylindricus, Keel-billed Toucan, Ppeacock, Waxbill, Euplectes Orix, Pin-tailed Whydah, Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Guara, Toco Toucan, Six-banded Armadillo and Ring-tailed Coat are bred at Tropical Bird House (熱帯鳥類館). There are many beautiful birds.

Yezo Brown Bear House

2 Yezo Brown Bears are bred at Yezo Brown Bear House (エゾヒグマ館). The name of male is Dai (大) and the name of female is Towa (とわ). Originally they inhabit Hokkaido and are the largest animal in the natural world of Japan. A big individual seems to be weight over 140 kg.

Yezo Deer and Wolf House

6 Yezo Deers and 4 Timberwolves are bred at Yezo Deer and Wolf House (エゾシカ・オオカミ舎). As for the Yezo Deer, the name of males are Megumu (恩) and Ayumu (歩), and the name of femals are May (芽), Amanda (アマンダ), Isabel (イザベル) and Michi (道).

The name of the timberwolves are Jay (ジェイ), Leak (リーク), Yuki (ユウキ), Sho (ショウ). They are all male. Originally they inhabit the forest area in the northern North America.

Chimpanzee House

9 chimpanzees are bred at Chimpanzee House (チンパンジー館). The name of male is Accky (アッキー), and the name of females are Gach (ガチャ), Jane (ジェーン), Chaco (チャコ), Susie (スージー), Tess (テス), Lady (レディ), Haru (ハル), Yuki (ユウキ). Gacha who was born in 1966 is the oldest chimpanzee and longevity very much.

Originally they inhabit a tropical rain forest in the African central part and live in groups.

Tropical Animal House

Hippopotamus, Eland, Masai Giraffe, Grant’s Zebra, Ostrich, Lion, Serval, Spotted Hyena, Sloth Bear are bred at Tropical Animal House (熱帯動物館). They inhabit the Africa mainly.

due to the cold weather, all tropical animals were kept indoor.

Monkey Mountain

About 80 monkeys are bred on Monkey Mountain (サル山). Japanese Macaque inhabit the Japan, but they do not inhabit the Hokkaido. The height is about 60 cm.

Forest of Owl and Hawk

American Long-eared Owl, Yezo Ural Owl, Snowy Owl, Black Kite, Goshawk, Buzzard are breed at Forest of Owl and Hawk (フクロウとタカの森). The Snowy Owl is famous for appearing on Harry Potter.

Rain again! *sigh* But it does not dampen our day!

Kangaroo House

Giant Kangaroo, Slow Loris, Galah, Rosella, Domestic Rabbit are bred at Kangaroo House (カンガルー館). They inhabit around Australia. The Giant Kangaroo seems to be height over 130 cm and can run at 60 km per hour.

Zoo for Children

Zoo for Children (こども動物園) is roughly divided into 4 sections, Squirrel Monkey Dome (リスザルドーム), Forest of Dosanko (ドサンコの森), Forest of Beaver (ビーバーの森) and others. The Squirrel Monkey is bred at the Squirrel Monkey Dome. The Yezo Flying Squirrel, Yezo Raccoon Dog, Yezo Squirrel, Yezo Snow Rabbit are bred at the Forest of Dosanko. The other animals such as Guinea Pig, Chinese Goose, Duck, Silky Fowl, Okina Japanese Bantam, Japanese Long-tailed Fowl, Red Jungle Fowl, White Japanese Bantam, Ohiki, White Echigo Nanjing Gamefowl, Miniature Horse, Sheep are bred.

The Zoo for Children or we called it as Petting Zoo area was the best part, as everyone can get up close to these animals.

You can also shop for gifts and souvenirs here (Animal Science Pavilion). This place is kinda secluded at one corner.

We found Zoo Cafe inside the above building. We had our quick lunch here. Both of us had spaghetti, it tasted not bad. Price was quite affordable too. I saw some nice pancakes offered here.

Although its an oldest zoo, but it is so well-kept and clean! Hence, I felt its a child-friendly zoo. I’m not sure how people could only spend 1-2 hours here. We covered almost 90% of the zoo, we’ve already spend almost 4 hours here. 😀 😀 I also noticed there are several on-going upgrading works. Besides that, there is also a 7-11 convenient store in this zoo.

From Maruyama Zoo, we walked to Hokkaido Shrine (474 Miyagaoka, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan).

 

crossing the woods through Maruyama Park.

Coincidentally it was also the Hokkaido Shrine Festival when we were there.

The Hokkaido Shrine Festival, also called the Sapporo Festival, has a history going back over a century. It is also one of the biggest festivals in Hokkaido. The festival runs from the 14th to the 16th of June. Stalls, entertainment and other attractions are set up through the park for those 3 days.

Assorted food and games with winning prize were offered here. Feels like a fun fair. But the prices are quite high for us, Malaysians.

Back to the main part, the Hokkaido Shrine. It is one of the most popular Japanese temple in Hokkaido.

“In 1869, Meiji Emperor issued the imperial rescript to build a new shrine in Hokkaido. Then, this shrine was completed in 1871.
Because, at that time, Japanese government began to develop Hokkaido, and a guardian god was needed.

The Torii gate (main gate) was set up on the northeast side of the shrine.
Because, Russia was advancing to the northeast of Hokkaido through Sakhalin and Kurile Islands.
This shrine was the guardian to defend against Russia.”

Now it is the main shrine in Hokkaido, and many worshippers visit here.

Unfortunately the place was closed for upcoming ceremony. We could only hang around at the entrance.

Apparently it was the 3rd day, final day of the Shrine Festival. We could watch this parade here! It was an eye opener to me. Their costumes are so colorful. (but it started to rain as the parade begins. 😦  )

On June 16, the final day, a line of more than a thousand people in colorful Heian period costumes parades around the city, along with four mikoshi portable shrines and eight floats. The parade starts at Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama and reaches central Sapporo in the afternoon, passing along major avenues lined with spectators. Traditional dedication ceremonies are held at the shrine.

If you miss this year’s, fret not…it will be available next year 2018 (14-16 June). Thus, its an annual affair.

We then traveled back to Susukino.

Its was already late evening. Just the right time for dinner.

While walking back to our hotel, we decided to settle our dinner here at Matsunoya Susukino.

about 5 minutes walk from Susukino Station.

We got attracted by the Morino Sample: Plastic food ; which was displayed at the front door.

We made a right choice. The food was good! Portion was on par with the price too!
Oh ya, apparently their tonkatsu is nice too. Do give it a try if you are nearby. 🙂

Matsunoya Susukino