What is Miyagi Zao Fox Village?
Miyagi Zao Fox Village is a rare fox-only zoo located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, where over 100 foxes live freely in a natural setting—a precious spot in Japan.
In Japan it's rare to see wild foxes up close, but here you can observe various types of foxes up close and enjoy feeding them and taking photos.
In winter, you can especially see the fluffy foxes walking in the snow, making this a very popular spot with overseas visitors.
In this article we’ll introduce the highlights of Miyagi Zao Fox Village, how to enjoy your visit, and access information in detail!
Highlights of Miyagi Zao Fox Village
1. Over 100 foxes living in a natural environment
At Miyagi Zao Fox Village, more than six species of foxes live freely across a vast area.
In addition to the commonly seen Japanese red fox (hondogitsune), you can observe rare color varieties such as the silver fox, platinum fox, and blue fox.
In the free-roaming areas you can see the foxes moving about up close, making you feel as if you’ve wandered into a kingdom of foxes.
Note! Do not touch the foxes!
The foxes are very cute, but they are wild animals, so you cannot touch them directly.
To enjoy the visit safely, follow the rules that are posted!
2. Fox feeding experience
At Miyagi Zao Fox Village you can take part in a fox feeding experience.
If you throw food to the foxes from the designated feeding spots, you can see them cutely beg for it.
Feeding fee
- 1 bag: about 200 yen
※ Hand-feeding is prohibited, so be sure to throw the food from the designated spots!
3. Winter “fluffy foxes” are very popular!
During the winter season (December–February) at Miyagi Zao Fox Village, the foxes grow their winter coats and become fluffy and irresistibly cute.
The foxes walking through snowy scenery create a magical landscape straight out of an anime or movie.
The scene of a fox curled up sleeping in the snow is especially photogenic and perfect for social media, so visiting in winter is highly recommended!
4. Fox-holding experience (limited period)
Miyagi Zao Fox Village sometimes offers a limited-time “fox-holding experience”.
Only specially habituated foxes can be held, and you wear special gloves for a safe experience.
Points about the holding experience
- Dates held: Irregular (check the official website before your visit)
- Fee: Several hundred yen (includes photo)
- Age restrictions apply (check the official site for details)
It’s a rare chance to hold a cute fox and take photos together—definitely give it a try!
Useful information for travelers
Access
By train and bus
- About 40 minutes from Sendai Station to Shiroishi Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line
- From Shiroishi Station or Shiroishi-Zao Station it's common to take a taxi or a route bus with limited service (limited operating days/times)
By car
- About 1 hour by car from central Sendai
- About 20 minutes by car from the Tohoku Expressway "Shiroishi IC"
- Free parking available (capacity: several hundred cars)
Admission & opening hours
- Admission：
- Adults (junior high school and up): 1,500 yen
- Children (elementary school and under): Free (must be accompanied by a guardian)
- Opening hours：
- 9:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00)
- Closed: Wednesdays (additional closures during winter—check in advance)
Wi‑Fi
- No Wi‑Fi is provided inside the fox village (download maps and information beforehand).
Language support
- English and Chinese tourist pamphlets available (obtainable at the Shiroishi City tourist information center)
- Some staff can handle basic English
Summary and Frequently Asked Questions
Miyagi Zao Fox Village is a unique spot in Japan where you can observe foxes up close and interact with them in a natural setting.
In particular, the winter fluffy foxes and feeding experiences are very popular—it's a must-visit for fox lovers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you touch the foxes at the village?
A: Generally you cannot touch them, but a limited-time “fox-holding experience” may be offered occasionally.
Q: What season is best to visit?
A: The winter “fluffy fox” season (December–February) is especially popular, but you can observe foxes in beautiful surroundings from spring through autumn as well.
Q: Can you feed the foxes?
A: Yes, you can throw food from designated spots . However, hand-feeding is prohibited.
Q: How do I get to Miyagi Zao Fox Village?
A: Take the JR Tohoku Main Line from Sendai Station to Shiroishi Station, then a taxi (about 20 minutes) to reach the village. Driving is also recommended.
Please enjoy a trip to Miyagi Zao Fox Village and be soothed by the adorable foxes!
