Journey to Fox Village
Surrounded by normally shy creatures you can’t help to feel a little bewildered…
Located in Zao, Miyagi Prefecture. You can get up close and personal with these stunning animals.
One-hour drive from Sendai and 4 hours north of Tokyo. More than 100 foxes live free-range in a garden surrounded by nature. They even have their own dedicated Fox Shrine they are free to roam through.
Upon entering the grounds you will be guided through appropriate interaction and rules to follow. Instructions in English are available. When entering the grounds you’ll notice hundreds of little hidey holes and homes for foxes to chill out in and get away from other foxes and humans.
The foxes here are friendly and curious but these are not domesticated animals and need to have limited interaction between people. Please keep this in mind when visiting!
In the middle of the main enclosure is a giant feeding platform that foxes aren’t allowed into. This is where all the activity happens… Feeding time is crazy! Foxes make a high pitch shrieking noise at each other to defend their food and pounce from all directions!
Most foxes can be found napping around the pathways where they have sheltered platforms for them to laze along. Perfect selfie op!
Patagonian Mara
Don’t be shocked that when standing close to a staff member that you may become surrounded by hungry and curious Foxes.
Outside of the main enclosure you can pat Goats, Bunnies and something called a Patagonian Mara!
You’ll also notice a lot of smaller enclosures with foxes that are either too young to join the main enclosure or who have been separated due to health reasons. Warning – This was a little upsetting to us. The Foxes in the main area are relatively healthy and happy but we felt sad for the ones locked away in a little cage.
What you’ll need to know:
Hours – 9.00am to 5pm Closed on Wednesdays
Cost – 1,000 yen (Approx. $12au) 100 yen to feed
Getting here:
Yakushi-no-Yu Shuttle Bus Runs everyday.
10:30 Yakushi-no-Yu ⇒ 12:00 Sendai Station East Entrance
12:30 Sendai Station East Entrance ⇒ 14:00 Yakushi-no-Yu
*Please make your reservation at least three days in advance.
If you are staying at Yakushi-no-Yu, you will have a driver take you to and pick up at Zao Kitsune Mura.
