Attractions

Noboribetsu Bear Park

Noboribetsu Bear Park

Travel Guide

At Noboribetsu Bear Park, you can see Ezo bears, or brown bears, which is the biggest animal on the land in Japan. There are over 100 Ezo bears and the adult bear could weight 400 kilograms.

Ezo bears are the largest species of animal in Japan also in Hokkaido and were worshiped by Ainu, the native Hokkaido people, as the God. There are approximately 2,000 brown bears in Hokkaido and the number is reported to be on the decline. In order to protect the Ezo bears, farming, observing and studying of brown bears started in October 1958, and the Noboribetsu Bear Park, the first bear park in the world was established. The park recorded a major success. The numbers of bears are now over a hundred, from only eight at the beginning, and happily ever after is the way they live now.

You can get up close to bears at Noboribetsu Bear Park. When fed with snacks, the big brown bears stand up together and make “gimme” poses, which are very popular among the visitors. You could check out the baby cub kindergarten and “scholar bear” shows, or try the thrilling “Human Cage” which takes you right out amongst the bears.

Ezo Bear Museum in the Noboribetsu Bear Park is the world’s only dedicated bear museum which will teach you everything there is to know about Brown Bears or you can learn how the Ainu people lived at Yukara Village, a recreated Ainu settlement.

This facility also features programs and events that people of all ages can enjoy, including the "Bear Cub Ranch” where cute bear cubs play and the “Duck Race” in which duck compete against each other in a running race.

Noboribetsu Bear Park - Ezo Bear Museum Noboribetsu Bear Park - Yukara Village Noboribetsu Bear Park - Duck race
Ezo Bear Museum Yukara Village Duck race
 
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Travel Advice

Noboribetsu Bear Park is located at the top of Mount Shiho-rei, the mountain is commonly called “Bear Mountain”, which is 560 meters high. You need to take a ropeway ride from the Noboribetsu Hot Spring town to the park. On the top of the mountain, there is also the Kuttara Observatory. From here you can have great view on Lake Kuttarako, a lake which has the 2nd clearest water in Japan.

 
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Visit

Address Noboribetsu Onsen-cho 224, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido
Phone 0143-84-2225
Admission Adult: 2,650 yen (Groups 2,350 yen)
Child: 1,350 yen (Groups 1,200 yen)
Adult: over 12
Child: 4 to 11
Groups: over 10
Ropeway ticket is included
Hours 08:30 to 16:30 
08:30 to 17:00  July and August
Entry until 40 minntes before closing
Closed Open 7 Days a Week
Duration 1 hour and 30 minutes
Getting There By Train
15 minutes ride by Donan Bus bount for Noboribetsu Hot Spring from JR Noboribetsu Station to the Noboribetsu Hot Spring Bus Terminal, then walk approximately 5 minutes. Change to ropeway and get off at the final stop.
100 minutes ride by Donan Bus bound for Noboribetsu Hot Spring from JR Sapporo Station to the Noboribetsu Hot Spring Bus Terminal, then walk approximately 5 minutes. Change to ropeway and get off at the final stop.

By Car
Take Hokkaido Expressway to the Noboribetsu-higashi exit. Approximately 4 kilometers 10 minutes from exit, change to ropeway and get off at the final stop.
Parking Paid parking available at the station of ropeway.
 
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Attractions in Japan

 
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