Fuji Safari Park in the city of Susono in Shizuoka prefecture, is Japan’s largest safari park. Over 50 different species can be found at Fuji Safari Park including lions, cheetahs and zebras. You will be able to see these animals up-close like never before!
This article is a deep-dive into Fuji Safari Park, an interactive animal experience like no other in Japan.
What is Fuji Safari Park?
Fuji Safari Park opened in 1980 as the largest safari park in Japan. Its location at the foot of Mount Fuji gives the park an astounding view of the mountain, and over 50 species of animals live freely in the park grounds as they await your arrival.
5 Things to do at Fuji Safari Park
A lion at Fuji Safari Park (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
One of the biggest attractions at Fuji Safari Park is the Safari Zone, which takes 50 minutes to circle. This part of Fuji Safari Park has a huge variety of 30 different species, ranging from carnivores such as lions and cheetahs, and herbivores like bison and giraffes. The safari zone offers 5 main experiences for its visitors, and all of them are equally exciting!
1. The Jungle Bus
Jungle Bus (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
The Jungle Bus that takes you through the safari zone, is the safari park's most popular ride. These buses are dressed up charmingly as the animals of the safari zone, and come in 9 varieties resembling tigers, elephants, and more. One trip through the safari zone takes approximately 50 minutes, and gives you an up close view of the animals going about their daily lives.
<img src="https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/thegate/2019="310px"/06/10/14/14/44/Fuji-Safari-Park-Jungle-Bus-2.jpg" alt="Fuji Safari Park Jungle Bus" />
Jungle Bus (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
Instead of glass windows, the bus has wire-netted windows. This not only allows passengers to experience feeding the animals, but at a distance so close that they can feel the animals' breath. This extremely up-close experience with the animals is one that only a safari park can offer.
【Jungle Bus】
[Days/Hours of Operation]
The Jungle Bus operates every day:
Weekdays - Departs every 30 minutes
Weekends & Holidays - Departs every 10 minutes
[Fees]
¥1,300
*paid separately from entrance fees
[Ticket Availability]
Sold at the Information Center at the entrance
2. Super Jungle Bus
Super Jungle Bus (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
The Super Jungle Bus was introduced in 2017. In addition to having wireframe sides like the standard Jungle Bus, the Super Jungle Bus is equipped with a wireframe ceiling. It is the first of its kind to be made in Japan, and is the only kind of experience that shows you lion paws from underneath.
*The Super Jungle Bus is by web-reservation only.
Reservations can be made from the official website of Fuji Safari Park)
【Super Jungle Bus】
[Days/Hours of Operation]
Every day from: 10:50 a.m., 12:50p.m., 2:40p.m.
[Fees]
¥2,000
*paid separately from entrance fees
[Ticket Availability]
By web-reservation only
3. Navigation Car
Navigation Car (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
On the zebra-striped Navigation Car, you can go off-road in some special areas. By using the tablet, you can freely listen to facts and information about the animals.
Navigation Car (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
The tablet allows you to listen to information on the animals. It even has some safari-themed music for you to play while you enjoy your ride.
While on the Navigation Car, you can feed giraffes, mouflons and llamas. The navigation car is a perfect way to experience the safari zone if you are arriving in a group.
【Navigation Car】
[Days/Hours of Operation]
Navigation cars are in Operation every day
Weekdays: Every 30 minutes
Weekends: Every 10 ~ 15 minutes
[Fees]
¥5,000 per car (5 seats / 7 seats)
*paid separately from entrance fee
[Ticket Availability]
Sold at the Information Center at the entrance
4. My-Car Safari
My Car Safari (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
If you drove to Fuji Safari Park, you can go on ahead and enter the safari zone in your own car! Entering in your own car is free, and you are allowed to enter as many times as you want. This is perfect for anybody who wants to take their time, and enjoy the safari park to their heart's content.
However, entering the park with your own car is at your own risk. While the park staff are always ready to help in the case of happenings, but do note that any damages caused by the animals to your car, are not insured by Fuji Safari Park.
5. Night Safari
Night Safari (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
Every year between April and October, the Night Safari event in the Safari Zone is held. The Safari Zone is lit up at night, and is open for tours as per usual via Jungle Bus, Navigation Car, or My-Car.
During the Night Safari, the nocturnal animals that tend to be docile in the daytime, are much more active. Animals like the lion and amur tiger can only be seen like this during the Night Safari, making it a great experience.
Other Sights to See
Petting zone
Safari Derby
At the petting zone, you get a chance to feed and interact with the cute animals. Inside, there is a petting zone, food station, dog area, cat area, and rabbit area. The main attraction is the miniature derby race! If you vote for the winning horse, you get a prize!
[Safari Derby]
Open: Sat/Sun/Holidays
Time: 12:30pm
Fees: 100 JPY per ticket
Where to purchase tickets: Miniature ranch from 12:00pm
Baby Animals!
Baby Meerkat (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
Fuji Safari Park allows visitors to see baby animals. The baby animals, like the baby meerkat shown above, are tiny and adorable, and are usually seen cuddling with their mothers. You can check online for when the baby animal viewings are held.
Seeing Mount Fuji from Fuji Safari Park
Safari Zone (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
Since Fuji Safari Park is located so close to Mount Fuji, the mountain can be seen from most areas of the park. The view of Mount Fuji is especially beautiful from the Safari Zone, since you can see the roaming safari animals and the mountain all in one sight.
Safari Shop
Safari Shop (Credit: Fuji Safari Park)
For safari souvenirs, visit the Safari Shop! Located in the Fureai Zone, the Safari Shop provides Fuji Safari Park original souvenirs, traditional African crafts and more.
Access
Nearest station: Fuji Safari Park (Bus Stop)
From Shinjuku Station
【Shinjuku Sta.】Odakyu Romance Car Limited Express / for Hakone
→【Gotemba Sta.】Fujikyu Local Bus / for Jurigi or Gurinpa
→【Fuji Safari Park Bus Stop】
From Tokyo Station
【Tokyo Sta.】JR Chuo Line Rapid Service / for Shinjuku
→【Shinjuku Sta.】Odakyu Romance Car Limited Express / for Hakone
→【Gotemba Sta.】Fujikyu Local Bus / for Jurigi or Gurinpa
→【Fuji Safari Park Bus Stop】
From Shizuoka Station
【Shizuoka Sta.】JR Tokaido Main Line / for Atami
→【Numazu Sta.】JR Gotemba Line / for Gotemba
→【Gotemba Sta.】Fujikyu Local Bus / for Jurigi or Gurinpa
→【Fuji Safari Park Bus Stop】
Information
2255-27 Fujiwara Aza Suyama, Susono-shi, Shizuoka
055-998-1311
From Mar. 16 to Sep. 30: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31: 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. From Nov. 1 to Mar. 15: 10:00a.m. - 3:30p.m.
Open year-round
【Entrance fees】 〈Daytime〉 General: ¥2,700 Children: ¥1,500 〈Night Safari〉 General / children: ¥1,700
Accepted at ticket office, souvenir shop and restaurants
http://www.fujisafari.co.jp
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