Contents
1. Basic Information
Facility Information
Zao Fox Village, located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, is the only facility in Japan where you can interact with foxes. Various types of foxes roam freely within the facility, and visitors can actually touch the foxes. In particular, winter is impressive as the foxes change to their winter fur. The facility takes strict measures to prevent parasite infection by foxes, maintaining an environment where visitors can interact with foxes in peace through regular clinical tests and medication.
In the feeding area within the premises, you can give the food sold at the reception to the foxes, but direct feeding is prohibited. Children of elementary school age or younger must be accompanied by an adult, with a rule of one child per adult. This is to prevent injuries from free-roaming foxes, and everyone’s understanding and cooperation are sought.
In addition, you can enjoy selling fox goods at the shop and interacting with other animals such as rabbits, goats, and ponies. However, as foxes are interested in moving objects, be careful with your clothing and belongings.
At Miyagi Zao Fox Village, we provide a safe and enjoyable interaction with foxes, but it requires the understanding and cooperation of visitors themselves. Please follow the rules and instructions from the staff to have a wonderful day with foxes and other animals.
Operating Hours
Operating hours vary by season, with summer hours from 9:00 to 16:30 (last admission 16:00) and winter hours from 9:00 to 16:00 (last admission 15:30). Changes or shortening of business hours due to weather conditions and holidays (Wednesdays, except for consecutive holidays in February, August, May, and holidays) are also available.
Please check the latest operating hours and fees on the official website.
http://zao-fox-village.com/information
2. Reviews
There are two important points to note when visiting. The first is the rule that one adult is required per child of elementary school age or younger. For example, a family with a dad, a mom, and three kids cannot all enter the park at once. It is important to understand this point in advance to avoid the situation where you cannot enter the park after coming from afar. The second point is not to stop. The foxes are very cute and you want to touch them, but their attitudes change completely when you feed them.
There was a review that the staff’s response was bad, but that was not the case when I visited. This facility has a stance that if you get injured, it is your own responsibility, unlike other tourist facilities in Japan. As foxes are wild animals, unforeseen accidents can be expected, so I recommend visiting with a full understanding of this point.
The staff at the entrance explained various precautions, such as the need for one adult per child, the possibility of being bitten if you squat to take a picture, etc. If you are scared of foxes, do not run away, but move forward and the foxes will run away. I understood well that this is a place where humans enter the world of foxes, which is written on the signboard. I also understood the explanation to put things that could be bitten into the bag. These precautions are for everyone. People who can’t understand or can’t follow the rules shouldn’t come. We all had a good time with the foxes. Thank you.
3. Local Food
4. Transportation Information
■ Directions to Fox Village
There is a regular bus service to Fox Village from the Tohoku Shinkansen Shiroishi Zao Station, or from the JR Tohoku Line Shiroishi Station. If you choose to take a taxi, it will take approximately 30 minutes from either the Shiroishi Zao Station or the Shiroishi Station.
Shiroishi City Official Site (Available in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese)
https://www.city.shiroishi.miyagi.jp/soshiki/17/883.html
5. Map Information
The Zao mountain range straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures and is known as a tourist destination for its emerald-colored crater lake “Okama”, hot springs, ski resorts, and frost-covered trees in winter. On the other hand, Shiroishi City, located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is at the foot of the Zao mountain range and has a history of prosperity as a castle town during the Edo period. It is located about 45 kilometers from Sendai City and Fukushima City, and has deep ties with both regions in terms of economy and culture.
