[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] Enjoy the zoo in nature! Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO has reopened!

its opening in 1989 , Morioka City Zoological Park has been a popular place for Morioka residents 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 raccoon dogs, as well as elephants, giraffes, and lions, relaxing in the exhibition space that takes advantage of the natural topography.

The park has been closed since September 2021, but it reopened as "ZOOMO" on April 20, 2023 , and many customers are visiting every day.

What does ZOOMO mean?

the philosophy of "One World-One Health," which states that the health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected and unified, the zoo operates businesses that contribute to the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment, and the welfare of people and animals. was chosen based on four origins

ZOO MORIOKA

It expresses our desire to remain a presence rooted in the local community as a zoo for the citizens of Morioka

Much more, more

Our wish is to remain in Morioka forever and to continue to be an animal park that is loved by Morioka citizens and animals alike

Zumona

In the Tono region of Iwate Prefecture, a folk tale teller will tell you, ``Mugasu, atazumona (it seems like it happened a long time ago).''

We want to be a zoo that will be handed down forever like old stories, and we also want to be storytellers who tell the story of the relationship between nature, humans, and animal life.

ZOOM ON

As a new form of zoo in the future, we are developing a business that focuses on the welfare of farmed animals, wild animals, and environmental conservation

ZOOMO BASE & MONKEY CORT

There is an entrance with a large "ZOOMO" logo at the bus stop across the road from the parking lot.

The path leading up to ZOOMO BASE, the entrance gate, is lined with signboards with silhouettes of animals with their philosophy written on them, and ZOOMO BASE is at the end of the path.

ZOOMO BASE

There is a ZOOMO STATION that sells admission tickets and provides information, and also rents strollers, tricycles with assistance, and electric wheelchairs .

The clean restrooms have baby cots for changing diapers for both men and women, and there is a large 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 proceeds will be donated to support wildlife and environmental conservation efforts.

Purchase admission tickets from automatic ticket vending machines

You can purchase with cash, credit card, electronic money, QR code payment, etc. ZOOMO BASE has free Wi-Fi, so you can also pay with your smartphone.

In addition, Wi-Fi is installed here and elsewhere in the park and can be used freely.

The entrance is similar to a train ticket gate, and when you scan the QR code of your purchased ticket, the ticket gate opens and you can enter.

MONKEY CORT

The monkey mountain that used to be on the left side of BASE has become MONKEY CORT, a space with free admission, and you can now meet the monkeys anytime.

Monkey Mountain, which used to be just rocks, has now been replaced with a wooden tower, where the monkeys are happily playing.

Also, monkey food is sold unattended near the ZOOMO BASE entrance, and each cup contains 5 to 6 monkey biscuits for 100 yen.

This is an attempt to bring the group of monkeys closer to their wild state by feeding them little by little at random times according to their habits

Five areas connected by ZOO LOOP

If you follow the three red lines and arrows drawn on the route from BASE, you can visit five areas.

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

Satoyama area where you can meet familiar animals

This is an area where familiar animals such as raccoon dogs, foxes, and squirrels that can be seen in Japan's rural forests are exhibited.

At the Asiatic black bear playground, a ``Japanese Black Bear Terrace'' where you can observe the bears through a glass window , so you can watch the bears without worrying about the wire fence.

a loop path that passes above the wild boar's playground and a tunnel that allows you to look up from below inside the large cage golden eagle.

What is IWAYAMA LAB?

this area is utilized as it is, and it is a space where you can observe the wild animals and plants that live in the rocky mountains in their natural state, and you can see wild birds, Japanese squirrels, and more.

The savannah area is a small Africa

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

The ``Giraffe Terrace'' built in their playground is a space where you can observe these animals up close.

There is a rest house here, with a terrace that overlooks the area, a kitchen car that sells food and drinks, and free Wi-Fi available at the rest house.

Grassland area where kangaroos come to visit

where bison from North America, animals from Oceania, and kangaroos are basking in the sun in a "pass-through" format, allowing kangaroos to come within arm's reach if they feel like it. It may come.

Let's enjoy interacting in the ranch area!

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

Goat and sheep food is sold at gachapon for 100 yen each, and if you hold it, the animals will come up to you with their adorable eyes sparkling.

Bridge with Canada Victoria Area

A puma, Canadian otter, and bighorn sheep donated by Morioka City and sister city Victoria, Canada, are on display , and free Wi-Fi is available at the Victoria Rest House, a rest area.

NATURE LOOP

You can also enjoy trekking and trail running on this route that takes you off the ZOO LOOP and takes you through the park's natural forest.

Lunch time at PICNIC FIELD!

It is a large grassy area where you can see the animals in the farm area, and there are many wooden studios (Higashiya) where you can sit on top and spread out your lunch.

Event planning where you can interact with animals

Each area offers a variety of events (prices are current as of June 7, 2023).

Some events may be first-come, first-served, and there are also many limited-date events and irregular events, so be sure to check the official website in advance.

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

summary

At ZOOMO, where you can interact with animals in nature, you may see wild animals in and around the zoo, which shows that the animals are kept in an environment close to nature.

It's easy to visit the zoo by car, but you can also get there on foot as Iwate Prefectural Transportation buses leave from Morioka Station, so if you like 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 may have invaded the park, but operations resumed on June 10 as safety was ensured. it was done.

Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO＜Information＞

• Facility name: Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO
• Location: 60-18 Shimoyagita, Shinjo, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Opening hours:
  • Regular season (April 1st - October 31st) 9:30 - 16:30 (Entry until 16:00)
  • Winter season (November 1st to March 31st) 10:00 to 16:00 (Entry until 15:30)
• Closed days: Regular season / Wednesday Winter season / Wednesday and Thursday
  • The park will open if the closed day is a public holiday, but the park will be closed on the most recent 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 preferential discounts available)
• URL: Morioka City Zoological Park ZOOMO official website
• Parking lot: 300 yen per day for regular cars, 1,000 yen for large cars (472 regular cars, 5 large cars can be parked)
• Bus: From bus stop 5 at the east exit of Morioka Station, go to the zoo.
• Bus inquiries: Iwate Prefectural Transportation Information Center (TEL: 019-654-7755)

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