[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] Have fun at a zoo surrounded by nature! Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO has reopened after renovations!

its opening in 1989, Morioka City Zoohas been a beloved place for Morioka citizens to interact with animals.

This zoo is located in a hilly area on the outskirts of Morioka City, adjacent to Iwayama Park and Iwayama Parkland.

You can observe local animals such as bears, foxes, and raccoons, as well as elephants, giraffes, and lions, roaming freely in exhibition spaces that make use of the natural terrain

The park had been closed since September 2021, butreopened on April 20, 2023, as "ZOOMO,"and has been attracting many visitors every day.

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What does ZOOMO mean?

the "One World-One Health" philosophy, which posits that the health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected and unified, the zoo, which develops projects that contribute to the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment, as well as the welfare of people and animals,the nickname ZOOMO for the following four reasonswas given

ZOO MORIOKA

to remain a community-based zoo for the citizens of MoriokaThis expresses our desire

Much more

animal park to remain in Morioka for a very long time and to continue to be loved by both the citizens of Morioka and the animals themselvesThe name reflects our wish for this

Zumona

In the Tono region of Iwate Prefecture, storytellers of folk tales"Once upon a time, there was a story..."begin their stories by saying,

We hope to be a zoo that will be passed down forever like a fairy tale, and also a storyteller that conveys the lives and relationships between nature, people, and animals

ZOOM ON

a new model for zoos in the futurefocuses on animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation, and develops businesses that representexpresses our ambition to become the only zoo in Japan that

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ZOOMO BASE & MONKEY CORT

Across the road from the parking lot, at the bus stop, there is an entrance with a large "ZOOMO" logo

The path that leads up to the entrance gate, ZOOMO BASE, is lined with signboards with animal silhouettes and their philosophies written on them, and at the end of the path is ZOOMO BASE

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ZOOMO BASE

There is a ZOOMO STATION where you can purchase admission tickets and get information, andrent out strollers, tricycles with training wheels, and electric wheelchairsyou can also

The clean restrooms are equipped with diaper changing cribs for both men and women, with a spacious nursing space next to them

At the SHOP, you can purchase handmade goods from welfare workshops and craft artists in Iwate Prefecture, and a portion of the sales will be donated to support wildlife and environmental conservation efforts

Admission tickets can be purchased from the ticket vending machine

You can purchase tickets with cash, credit card, electronic money, or QR code payment, and ZOOMO BASE has free Wi-Fi, so you can even pay with your smartphone

Wi-Fi is also available here and elsewhere in the park and is free to use

At the entrance, which resembles a train ticket gate, you scan the QR code on your purchased ticket and the gate will open, allowing you to enter

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MONKEY CORT

The monkey enclosure that was previously located to the left of BASEhas been transformed into MONKEY CORT, a free-admission space where you can now see the monkeys anytime.

The monkey enclosure, which used to consist only of rocks,now has a wooden tower built after the renovation, andthe monkeys are happily playing there.

Also, near the entrance to ZOOMO BASE, there's an unmanned stall selling monkey food.Monkey biscuits come in cups of 5-6 biscuits each andcost 100 yen.

Thisan attempt to recreate a wild environment for the monkey troop by feeding them small amounts of food at random times, in accordance with the monkeys' natural habits.

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The five areas connected by the ZOO LOOP

From the base, you can visit five areas by following the three red lines and arrows painted on the route

There are many toilets and rest areas along the route, as well as vending machines

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Satoyama area where you can encounter familiar animals

area features exhibits of familiar animals found in the rural landscapes of Japan, such as raccoons, foxes, and squirrels.This

The Asiatic black bear enclosurea "Black Bear Terrace" where you can observe the bears through glass, allowing you to watch them without worrying about the wire mesh.

in a typical zoo, such as a loop paththat goesa tunnel inside the large enclosure for the golden eagle that allows you to look up frombelow.

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What is IWAYAMA LAB?

thisarea have been preserved, creating a space where you can observe wild animals and plants that inhabit the rocky mountains in their natural state, and you can see wild birds and Japanese squirrels, among other animals.

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The savanna area is a small part of Africa

African animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras are waiting for you

The "Giraffe Terrace," built within their playground, is a space where you can observe these animals up close

There is a rest house here, with a terrace that offers a panoramic view of the area, a mobile food and drink vendor, and free Wi-Fi available in the rest house

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A grassland area where kangaroos gather

, home to North American bison and Oceania animals, and wherekangaroos bask in the sun,is a "pass-through" area where visitors can enter, and sometimes a kangaroo will come close enough to touch if it feels like it.

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Enjoy interacting with animals in the ranch area!

This is an area where you will be greeted by familiar livestock such as goats, sheep, cows, alpacas, ponies, and donkeys

Goat and sheep feed is sold in gachapon machines for 100 yen each, and when you hold one, the goats and sheep will come up to you with their adorable sparkling eyes

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Victoria Area: A Bridge to Canada

exhibits of pumas, Canadian otters, and bighorn sheep, all gifts from Victoria, Canada, a sister city of Morioka City.Free Wi-Fi is available in the Victoria Rest House, a rest area.

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NATURE LOOP

This route deviates from the main zoo loop and takes you through the natural forest within the zoo, where you can also enjoy trekking and trail running

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Lunchtime at PICNIC FIELD!

It is a large grassy area where you can see the animals in the ranch area, and there are many wooden studios (Azumaya) where you can sit and spread out your lunch

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Event planning where you can interact with animals

Various events are available in each area (prices are current as of June 7, 2023)

Some events are first-come, first-served, and there are also many events that are only held on certain days or are held irregularly, so be sure to check the official website in advance

• Feeding the giraffes (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays): 100 yen per person per time
• Feeding the pumas (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays): 500 yen per person
• Feeding the lions (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from October to November): 1,000 yen per group (up to 5 people)
• Feeding the elephants (April to September, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from December to March): 500 yen per group (up to 5 people)
• Elephant care experience (April to October, November to March, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, limited to the first three groups): 3,500 yen per group
• Pakapaka Square (pony rides available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays): 500 yen per person (200 yen if you just want to ride)

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summary

At ZOOMO, where you can interact with animals in their natural environment, you may spot wild animals in and around the zoo, which shows that the animals are kept in an environment as close to nature as possible

It's easy to get to the zoo by car, but there are also Iwate Kotsu buses that depart from Morioka Station, and it's also easy to get to the zoo on foot, so if you love animals, why not stop by when you're in Morioka?

*Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO was temporarily closed from June 3, 2023 due to the possibility that a wild Japanese black bear had entered the zoo, but reopened on June 10 after safety was assured

Morioka Zoo ZOOMO <Information>

• Facility name: Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO
• Address: 60-18 Shimoyagida, Shinjo, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Opening hours:
  • Regular season (April 1st to October 31st): 9:30am - 4:30pm (entry until 4:00pm)
  • Winter season (November 1st to March 31st): 10:00-16:00 (entry until 15:30)
• Closed: Regular season / Wednesdays Winter season / Wednesdays and Thursdays
  • If the closed day is a public holiday, the park will be open and closed on the following weekday (excluding Golden Week)
  • Closed from December 29th to January 3rd
• Phone number: 019-654-8266
• Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen (group discounts and special discounts available)
• URL:Morioka City Zoo ZOOMO Official Website
• Parking: 300 yen per day for standard cars, 1,000 yen per day for large vehicles (472 standard cars, 5 large vehicles)
• Bus: Take the bus bound for Zoo Park from bus stop number 5 at the east exit of Morioka Station
• Bus inquiries: Iwate Prefecture Transportation Information Center (TEL: 019-654-7755)

Google Maps

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