[Iwate] Highlights of the two major zoos! Morioka Zoological Park and Iwate Safari Park

When it comes to zoos in Iwate, there are Iwate Safari Park and Morioka Zoo. These are the two major zoos in Iwate, and are loved by locals and tourists alike

This time, we will be featuring these two zoos

Morioka Zoological Park

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Morioka Zoological Park opened in 1989. Currently, it exhibits approximately 800 animals representing approximately 100 species. It is known for its emphasis on raising animals unique to Japan, such as Japanese macaques, Asiatic black bears, wild boars, Japanese sika deer, and Tsushima wildcats. There is also an area called the Japanese Ecological Garden

Morioka has a friendly relationship with Victoria, Canada, a sister city of the city, and visitors can see rare animals such as Canadian river otters, bighorn sheep, and pumas, which were gifted from the city

The petting plaza is extremely popular with children and women. Here you can interact with cute rabbits and guinea pigs. There are also other areas where you can get some exercise, such as an athletic plaza and pony riding experiences

There is a grassy area within the park, so many families and couples come here to eat their lunch

Morioka Zoo where you can interact with insects

Morioka City Zoo is not just a place to see animals, but also allows visitors to interact with insects. The park is rich in forests, bushes, and waterside areas. Many different insects live here, and insect nets are available for rental. During the summer holidays, many children visit the park to carry out their independent research projects

There are also many insect-related events held here, such as insect collecting competitions. In the summer, there is even a firefly viewing event. The performance of fireflies, which is more than you can see in Tokyo, is definitely worth seeing

This zoo has a wide range of species, from animals to insects

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Iwate Safari Park

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Iwate Safari Park opened in 2008. Currently, it exhibits over 700 animals from 70 different species. You can tour the park by special bus or your own car. You can get up close and personal with wild animals such as lions, tigers, and camels

The zoo also places emphasis on allowing visitors to interact with animals. Among the most popular activities are feeding camels and giraffes. Other popular attractions include the flamingo show and the monkey theater. You can feed and hold ring-tailed and ruffed lemurs

The park has four areas, the most popular of which is the free-roaming carnivores area, where white tigers and Bengal tigers excite not only children but adults too

You can even feed the animals in the free-roaming herbivores area. You might be surprised to see the long tongues of the giraffes, zebras, and American bison sticking out

At the Elephant Village, you can actually ride on the back of an elephant and experience being an elephant trainer. It's a bit more than you might think, so even adults will find it thrilling

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sugar

A web writer who loves sightseeing. He is dedicated to exploring local gourmet food. Recently, I've been researching famous Japanese sweets shops such as manju and dango. Going around the basements of department stores is my daily routine.