This special place is home to over a hundred foxes that roam freely in a spacious, natural-style environment. Visitors can walk through the village and observe the foxes as they play, nap, and interact with each other. The area is especially scenic during winter, with snow adding to the magical atmosphere. While guests are welcome to explore and take photos, close contact with the animals is limited to ensure safety and respect for the foxes.
What Makes Zao Fox Village Unique
- Located in Shiroishi City, within Miyagi Prefecture, Zao Fox Village is nestled in the mountains and offers a semi-wild environment for over 100 foxes of various breeds—including the common red fox, arctic foxes, and more exotic varieties.
- The foxes roam freely in a large, enclosed forested area that mimics their natural habitat. This setup makes it one of the few places in the world where you can observe so many foxes in such a relaxed and natural setting.
❄️ Why Winter Is a Magical Time to Visit
- In winter, the village is covered in a blanket of snow, which contrasts beautifully with the vibrant coats of the foxes. It adds a serene, almost fairytale-like atmosphere that makes for stunning photography.
- The cold weather also tends to make the foxes more playful and active.
🛡️ Visitor Guidelines
- While you can walk among the foxes, touching or feeding them directly is generally not allowed, except in designated safe zones or under staff supervision. This helps protect both the animals and visitors.
- Guests are asked to remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and not bring food into the fox enclosure, as foxes can be curious and occasionally nippy.
📸 Photo Tips
- Early mornings or just after fresh snowfall are ideal times for photos.
- Telephoto lenses or zoom features help you capture fox behavior without getting too close.
🚗 How to Get There
- The village is about a 30-minute drive from Shiroishi-Zao Station, which is reachable via the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo.
- Local buses and taxis are also available, but driving offers the most flexibility—especially in winter months.
