Right! I haven’t been to the zoo in a long time and whilst I was in Asahikawa I made it a mission to visit their famous zoo! The most cost-effective and convenient way to travel is via the local bus, you can take either 41, 42 or 47 from the JR Asahikawa Station Bus Stop Number 6.

It will cost you 440 Yen one way, you can check the times on number 6 stand. There is about 2 buses per hour, when I got to the stop one of the buses had literally JUST arrived! So I was lucky I didn’t miss it.

The journey lasts about 40 minutes and it’s just so lovely being able to see the view from the bus window! There are no train stations near the zoo, the closest one is still about half an hour away by foot and it’s called Kitahinode Station. There isn’t a lot of English but you’re in safe hands, the bus will terminate at Arashiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) so just get off at the last stop.

—Tofu