Photo: Jpmanual/Photo-AC Okunoshima rabbit island

Photo: Jpmanual/Photo-AC

10 best places to see free-roaming animals in Japan

Meet bunnies on Okunoshima, bow to the deer in Nara, see snow monkeys in onsen, plus more wildlife and animal parks

Monday 27 March 2023

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Written by Tabea Greuner

Writer

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Who doesn't love cuddling and fawning over adorable animals? If you love interacting with friendly animals but don't want to see them cooped up in cages, Japan offers many animal parks and wildlife sanctuaries where the creatures roam free.

Some are secluded islands turned nature parks, home to local animals like cats and rabbits, others are dedicated farms and theme parks offering visitors a safari-like experience. Here you'll find some of the best places in Japan to get up close with animals, from walking among the felines on a cat island and bowing with the deer at Nara to feeding adorable capybara and taking a fluffy alpaca on a walk.

RECOMMENDED: Best outdoor adventure parks near Tokyo

Admission-free locations

Cats on Ainoshima, Fukuoka prefecture

Photo: Rhythm727/Photo-AC

This small island in Fukuoka prefecture is a must-visit for every cat lover. Only 20 minutes by ferry from Fukuoka city, Ainoshima is home to more than 100 stray cats who live in the island’s small fishing village. You’ll find them roaming around on the streets, sunbathing, snoozing or watching the local fishermen. Most are friendly enough that you can pet them, but keep in mind that feeding the cats is strictly prohibited.

The coastline of Ainoshima is only about eight kilometres long, so it’s a short walk from anywhere to the eastern part of the island, where you'll find a small shrine and more than 250 tumuli – mounds of stones dating back to the fifth century, believed to be ancient graves.

Ainoshima, Shingu-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka prefecture. Ferry from Shingu port ¥480, primary school students ¥240, free for younger children. The ferry departs six times a day between March and October, and five times a day between November and February. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).

Cats on Tashirojima, Miyagi prefecture

Photo: Shimaneko/Photo-AC

Another popular cat island is Tashirojima in Miyagi prefecture, where a few hundred cats call home. The number of felines on this little island increased during the Edo period (1603-1868), when the island was known for its silk worm farms and cats were brought in to protect the silk worms from mice. Once a flourishing island with over 1,000 residents, the population has dwindled to about 80 people – they’re outnumbered by the cats.

Nitoda Port in the south is home to the island’s largest village and most of the stray cats. Local fishermen believed the felines brought good luck, so they protected them and even built a tiny, cat-sized shrine in the middle of the island when one cat died in an accident. The cats are still pretty well protected – you’ll notice pet dogs are not allowed on Tashirojima.

There’s actually more cat-related fun at Tashirojima, which is also known as ‘Manga Island’. Between June and October, you can visit the on-site manga-themed camping resort, which boasts cat-shaped cottages, complete with cat-related artworks by famous Japanese manga artists.

Tashirojima, Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture. 45-min ferry ride from Ishinomaki port to Tashirojima; ¥1,250, primary school students ¥625, free for younger children. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).

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Rabbits on Okunoshima, Hiroshima prefecture

Photo: Jpmanual/Photo-AC

If you love fluffy bunnies, then this island off the coast of Hiroshima prefecture is the place to be. About 1,000 wild rabbits inhabit the island, and due to their high fertility rate, they are considered a symbol of safe childbirth and the blessing of many children. The local fluffballs love being surrounded by visitors, especially when you bring treats like lettuce or carrots. The rabbits are mostly active in the morning and evening, so we recommend staying a night at the only hotel on the island, the National Park Resort Kyukamura Okunoshima. Bicycles are available to rent at the hotel and are the perfect way to explore the island’s roughly 4km-long coastline.

As peaceful as the little island seems, it has a dark history. Once so secret it was removed from official maps, Okunoshima was the production site for chemical weapons, including mustard gas, before and during World War II. The gas has long since been destroyed, but you can learn about Okunoshima’s former function in the small on-site museum.

Okunoshima, Tadanoumicho, Takehara, Hiroshima prefecture. 15-min ferry ride from Tadanoumi port; ¥360, primary school students ¥180, free for younger children. See the schedule here.

Deer on Miyajima, Hiroshima prefecture

Photo: Manhattan/Photo-AC

Itsukushima, better known as Miyajima, meaning ‘shrine island’, is a popular tourist attraction in Hiroshima prefecture. The island is famous for the Unesco World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine and its massive red torii gate, standing partially submerged in water.

As soon as you get off the ferry, you’ll be welcomed by wild deer hoping for a little snack. You’re not allowed to feed them, though, so keep an eye on any loose food or even just paper you’re carrying, as the deer have been known to snatch things away. However, they’re used to humans and are not overly aggressive – you can even take a photo with them.

To avoid the crowds, spend a night at one of the island’s ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), and watch the deer sleep in the parks and on the pavement. Miyajima’s deer have been worshipped as messengers of the gods for hundreds of years and are strictly protected.

Miyajima, Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima prefecture. 10-min ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi port; ¥180, primary school children ¥90, free for younger children. See the schedule here.

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Deer at Nara Park, Nara prefecture

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The most famous place in Japan for watching wild deer is Nara Park. Encompassing the areas around Todaiji and Kofukuji temples as well as Kasugataisha Shrine, the entire park boasts a size of 660 hectares in which about 1,500 deer roam around freely. Nara’s deer are designated national treasures and protected by law. Unlike on Miyajima, at Nara Park, you’re encouraged to feed the deer with special crackers sold at local souvenir shops and booths. The crackers are made from wheat flour and rice bran, and part of the profit goes towards protecting the deer.

Nara Park, Zoshicho, Nara, Nara prefecture (Kintetsu Nara Station).

Parks which require entrance fee

Snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano prefecture

Photo: Jonathan Forage/Unsplash

To see Japan’s famous snow monkeys taking a dip in an onsen, you’ll have to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, in the valley of Yokoyu River in Nagano prefecture. Jigokudani can be translated as Hell Valley, a reference to the area’s steep cliffs and the steam that comes from the hot springs covering the area.

Even though Japanese macaques have lived in the mystical valley for centuries, it was the establishment of Jigokudani Monkey Park in 1964 that turned the area into a popular tourist spot during the winter months. Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to touch the monkeys, and you should keep any food hidden. Taking photos is allowed, but make sure to keep a safe distance from the wild macaques.

Jigokudani Monkey Park, 6845 Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0269 33 4379. Apr-Oct 8.30am-5pm, Nov-Mar 9am-4pm. ¥800, primary, junior high and high school students ¥400, free for younger children.

Capybaras at Nasu Animal Kingdom, Tochigi prefecture

Photo: nicochan25/Photo-AC

This 43-hectare animal park is in Tochigi prefecture’s onsen (hot spring) town Nasu. The main draw here are the capybaras, which have plenty of space to roam around, swim and even take a dip in their own private hot spring come winter. For ¥100, you can purchase special capybara food and feed the adorable rodents from inside their enclosure. Take a rest at the on-site ashiyu foot bath area right beside the capybara pool, so you can watch them frolic while you keep warm. At the park’s farm zone, you can also ride camels and horses, pet kangaroos, feed sheep, watch a bird show and more.

Nasu Animal Kingdom, 1042-1 Oshima, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi prefecture. 0287 77 1110. Hours differ per month, see here for details. ¥2,600, primary school students and children aged 3 and older ¥1,200, free for younger children.

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Alpacas at Nasu Kogen Lake Rindo Family Farm, Tochigi prefecture

Photo: © Nasukogen Rindoh-ko Family Bokujo

After the closure of Nasu Alpaca Farm in March 2023, its 177 adorable alpacas moved to the nearby Nasu Kogen Lake Rindo Family Farm. Thanks to its cool temperatures, even in summer, the Nasu plateau provides an environment for alpacas that resembles the highlands of the Andes in South America. The spacious 300,000sqm Nasu Kogen Lake Rindo Family Farm opened in 1965 and doubles as a small amusement park complete with a few rides and outdoor activities.

Here, you can feed these funny creatures (¥300) or even take your favourite furry friend on a walk (¥1,500/15min) – Instagram-worthy photo ops guaranteed! If you visit at different times throughout the year, you can also see the alpacas’ fur change through the seasons. Pro tip: they’re at their fluffiest in spring.

Nasu Kogen Lake Rindo Family Farm, 414-2 Takakuhei, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi prefecture. 0287 76 3111. Hours differ per day, see here for details. ¥1,600, primary school students and younger children ¥800.

Dogs at Tsukuba Wanwan Land, Ibaraki prefecture

Photo: Tsukuba Wanwan Land

This huge theme park in Ibaraki prefecture lets you play with its resident dogs, and you can even bring your own canine companion to play with the local pooches. Tsukuba Wanwan Land – wanwan is the Japanese equivalent of woof woof – is home to some 500 dogs of over 90 breeds, including Japan’s native Shiba and Akita inus.

There’s plenty to do here: you can cuddle your favourite furball at the fureai (petting) corner, or even take it on a walk (¥1,000/20min). There’s also a dog show, where the park’s dogs show off their skills, such as dancing the hula, balancing on top of a big exercise ball or shaking paws with the kids. You can also cuddle a few resident cats at the Neko House near the entrance.

Tsukuba Wanwan Land, 579 Numata, Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture. 029 866 1001. Mar-Oct 10am-5pm, Nov-Feb 10am-4pm, irregular hols. ¥1,500, primary school students and children aged 3 and older ¥700, free for younger children.

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Wildlife at Fuji Safari Park, Shizuoka prefecture

Photo: Fuji Safari Park

If you’re looking for a wildlife adventure, then a trip to this large animal park at the foot of Mt Fuji is highly recommended. The park’s safari area is home to about 900 animals of 70 species, which roam freely in the open-air enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat.

During the safari tour – which you can take in your own car, in one of the park's rental car (¥6,500), by bus (from ¥1,500) or on foot (Mar-Nov; ¥600) – you’ll meet giraffes, elephants, zebras, lions, tigers and more. If you opt for the bus tour or rent the special car, you can even feed the animals through the caged windows. Exploring the park on foot, however, means you’ll confined to watching the animals from observation decks. You can also purchase food (from ¥100) along the 2.5km-long nature trail around the safari zone and feed some of the animals.

Fuji Safari Park is also home to a zoo area, where you can see species such as capybaras, kangaroos, lesser pandas, leopards, alpacas, hippos and more. You can even visit some of them inside their enclosures and feed them, too.

Fuji Safari Park, 2255-27 Fujiwara, Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka prefecture. 055 998 1311. Mar 11-Oct 31 9am-4.30pm, Nov-Mar 10 10am-3.30pm. ¥3,200, junior high and primary school students and children aged 4 and older ¥2,000, free for younger children.