Animals Living in Spacious Natural Environments
One of the greatest attractions of Gunma Safari Park is the opportunity to observe animals in environments designed to resemble their natural surroundings.
Animals may be seen moving together in groups, grazing peacefully, resting in the shade, or simply wandering through the large enclosures. From inside a vehicle, visitors can watch a lion walking confidently along the road, a giraffe moving slowly across the landscape, or zebras traveling together as a herd.
Because visitors can remain inside their vehicles, the safari can also be enjoyed on rainy days.
The park is particularly notable for its Sumatran elephants, which are presented as the only Sumatran elephants kept and exhibited in Japan, as well as its large collection of white tigers. Seeing these rare and impressive animals at close range is one of the park’s distinctive experiences.
Exciting Ways to Explore the Safari Park
There are several ways to explore Gunma Safari Park, allowing visitors to choose an experience that suits their interests.
Private Car Safari
The Private Car Safari allows visitors to enter the safari area in their own vehicle. You can travel at your own pace and stop to observe animals as they come into view, making this option particularly convenient for families and groups.
Animal-Feeding Safari Bus
The Animal-Feeding Safari Bus is one of the park’s most popular experiences. Visitors board a specially designed animal-shaped bus and travel through the safari area while listening to explanations from animal-care staff.
During the tour, visitors may have opportunities to feed herbivores and lions. Watching a lion suddenly leap toward a piece of meat is an especially thrilling moment, while feeding a giraffe allows visitors to see its long neck stretch toward food at close range.
Sunset Safari Bus Tour
At certain times, the park offers a Sunset Safari Bus Tour, allowing visitors to observe animals during the evening feeding period. The behavior of the animals can change as the day comes to an end, providing a different perspective from a daytime safari.
Night Safari
During summer and selected periods, visitors can also experience a Night Safari. The atmosphere is completely different after dark, and some nocturnal animals become more active in the evening.
A night tour offers a fascinating opportunity to experience the park from a different perspective and observe animal behavior that may not be visible during the day.
Safari Zones Inspired by Different Continents
The park makes use of the area’s naturally hilly terrain and divides the safari area into several zones representing different parts of the world.
Japan Zone
The Japan Zone features animals native to Japan. Visitors can see Japanese macaques moving through the trees, sika deer grazing, and Japanese black bears resting or exploring their surroundings.
This area provides an opportunity to discover some of the wildlife that inhabits Japan’s forests and mountains.
Asia Zone
The Asia Zone is home to animals including Sumatran elephants, Malayan tapirs, and dromedary camels.
The Sumatran elephant is one of the park’s most notable animals and provides visitors with a rare opportunity to observe this endangered subspecies of Asian elephant.
America Zone
In the America Zone, visitors can encounter impressive North American animals such as American bison and American elk.
Watching these enormous animals move across open grassland creates a strong impression of the vast natural landscapes of North America.
Tiger and Lion Zones
The Tiger and Lion Zones are dedicated to some of the world’s most powerful large cats. Visitors can observe lions, often called the “king of beasts,” as well as striking white tigers.
White tigers are unusual color variants of Bengal tigers, characterized by white fur and dark stripes. Their distinctive appearance makes them one of the most popular attractions at the park.
Walking Safari
Gunma Safari Park also has a Walking Safari Zone, where visitors can leave their vehicles and explore on foot.
The walking area allows visitors to observe animals from different perspectives, including views from above and close-up views at eye level.
Large cats such as lions and white tigers are among the highlights. The park also operates Wolf Forest, a facility dedicated to the breeding and conservation of the endangered timber wolf. Visitors can learn more about wildlife conservation while observing these animals.
Animal Encounters and Interactive Facilities
Gunma Safari Park offers more than opportunities to observe animals from a distance. Several facilities allow visitors to encounter smaller and more approachable animals.
Animal Encounter Park
The Animal Encounter Park is home to animals such as red pandas, capybaras, miniature horses, and kangaroos.
Various events are held here, including flying-animal shows, pony-riding experiences, and feeding sessions where visitors can watch red pandas enjoying their meals.
Animal Encounter House
At the Animal Encounter House, visitors can interact with small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
Feeling the warmth and soft fur of these animals provides children and adults alike with a simple and memorable way to experience the connection between people and animals.
Wonderful Animal Forest
Wonderful Animal Forest is designed like a world from a picture book and features unusual small animals such as sloths, meerkats, and ring-tailed lemurs.
Visitors can enjoy observing these charming animals up close and, depending on the program, participate in feeding experiences.
Restaurant and Souvenirs
Restaurant “Savanna”
The park’s Savanna Restaurant provides a convenient place to enjoy a meal or take a break during your visit.
The menu includes original dishes inspired by animals and safari themes, adding to the atmosphere of the experience. It is particularly convenient for families spending a full day at the park.
Marché Gift Shop
At the Marché shop, visitors can purchase animal plush toys, original park merchandise, and souvenirs from Gunma Prefecture.
Animal-themed goods make popular mementos for visitors who want to take home a reminder of their safari adventure.
History of Gunma Safari Park
Gunma Safari Park opened on May 1, 1979. It was the fifth full-scale safari park to open in Japan and the first such facility in eastern Japan.
In 1986, the park achieved Japan’s first successful breeding of an African elephant, with the birth of a male elephant named Tango. The park has also received numerous breeding awards from the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, reflecting its involvement in animal breeding and conservation.
The park has established a sister-park relationship with a safari park in Indonesia and has participated in conservation efforts involving rare animals such as the Javan leopard and Sumatran tiger.
Through these activities and international partnerships, Gunma Safari Park contributes not only to public education but also to efforts aimed at protecting threatened wildlife.
Animals You Can Encounter
Lions
Lions are large cats native to the African savanna and are often known as the “king of beasts.” Male lions are distinguished by their impressive manes, while females commonly play a major role in hunting.
At Gunma Safari Park, visitors can observe lions living in groups and see them walking, resting, or interacting with one another in their spacious enclosure.
White Tigers
White tigers are rare color variants of Bengal tigers. Their white fur and dark stripes create a striking appearance that makes them especially popular with visitors.
The park provides opportunities to observe these powerful animals at relatively close range and appreciate their distinctive appearance and behavior.
Sumatran Elephants
Sumatran elephants are a subspecies of Asian elephant native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Habitat loss has contributed to their declining population, making them an important species for conservation.
Compared with African elephants, they are generally smaller and have relatively smaller ears. They are highly social animals that live in groups and cooperate with one another.
Giraffes
Giraffes are the world’s tallest living land animals. Their extremely long necks and legs allow them to feed on leaves high in trees.
Their tongues can reach approximately 40 centimeters in length. At the safari park, visitors may see giraffes strolling across the enclosure or stretching their long necks to feed.
Zebras
Zebras are herbivores famous for their distinctive black-and-white stripes. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern, somewhat like a human fingerprint.
The stripes are thought to have several functions, potentially including confusing predators when zebras gather in groups. Watching a herd move across an open enclosure is one of the classic safari experiences.
American Bison
American bison are enormous herbivores native to the grasslands of North America. They are characterized by their massive bodies, large heads, and thick coats of fur.
Some individuals can weigh more than 800 kilograms. Their populations once numbered in the tens of millions, but intensive hunting caused a dramatic decline. Conservation efforts have helped populations recover in recent times.
Eland
Eland are among the largest antelopes in Africa. Males have prominent horns and are generally larger than females.
These generally peaceful animals live in herds and move slowly across grasslands while feeding on grasses and leaves.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are famous for being the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds of more than 100 kilometers per hour over short distances.
Their slender bodies, long legs, and tails are adapted for high-speed pursuit. The dark markings beneath their eyes, known as tear marks, are thought to help reduce glare from sunlight and improve their ability to focus on prey.
Hyenas
Hyenas are powerful carnivores native to the African savanna. Their exceptionally strong jaws allow them to crush and consume bones.
Although hyenas are often associated with scavenging, they are also capable hunters and can actively pursue and kill prey.
Rhinoceroses
Rhinoceroses are large herbivores characterized by thick skin and prominent horns. Some species can weigh more than two tons.
Despite their heavy appearance, rhinos can run surprisingly fast over short distances. Their eyesight is relatively poor, but they have well-developed senses of smell and hearing.
Kangaroos
Kangaroos are iconic Australian animals known for their powerful hind legs and long tails. They move by hopping and can cover several meters in a single leap.
Female kangaroos have a pouch in which they carry and raise their young. Their powerful legs allow them to travel efficiently across long distances.
Japanese Sika Deer
Japanese sika deer are herbivores native to forests throughout Japan. Their coats change with the seasons.
In summer, they typically have reddish-brown coats with white spots, while their winter coats become more grayish-brown. Male deer grow impressive antlers that are shed and regrown every year.
Japanese Black Bears
Japanese black bears are bears native to mountainous areas of Japan and other parts of Asia. They are named for the distinctive crescent-shaped white marking often found on their chests.
They are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods, including nuts, fruit, and insects. Visitors may see them walking around their enclosure or climbing trees.
Red Pandas
Red pandas are small mammals native to mountainous areas of China, Nepal, and surrounding regions. They have reddish-brown fur, a long bushy tail, and an especially distinctive appearance.
They spend considerable time in trees and feed on bamboo and other plant material. Their active movements through the branches can be particularly entertaining to watch.
Capybaras
Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents and are native to South America. They have rounded bodies and generally calm behavior.
They enjoy spending time near water and are excellent swimmers. Their relaxed manner has made them especially popular with visitors.
Ring-Tailed Lemurs
Ring-tailed lemurs are primates native to Madagascar. Their long tails have distinctive black-and-white rings.
They live in social groups and frequently groom one another. They are also known for sitting facing the sun to warm themselves, a behavior sometimes called sunbathing.
Meerkats
Meerkats are small mammals native to the dry regions of southern Africa. They are famous for standing upright on their hind legs while watching their surroundings.
They live in groups and take turns acting as sentries, keeping watch for potential danger while other members of the group feed or rest.
Flamingos
Flamingos are water birds famous for their beautiful pink plumage. Their coloration comes from pigments in foods such as algae and small aquatic organisms.
With their long legs and curved necks, they search for food in shallow water, creating one of the most recognizable sights in a zoo or wildlife park.
Sloths
Sloths are mammals native to the forests of Central and South America. Their famously slow movements are an adaptation to their low-energy lifestyle.
They spend most of their lives in trees, often hanging upside down from branches. Algae can grow in their fur, sometimes providing additional camouflage among the vegetation.
Alpacas
Alpacas are members of the camel family native to the Andes of South America. They are known for their soft, fluffy coats and generally gentle nature.
Alpaca fiber is highly insulating and has long been used to produce warm clothing and textiles.
Ponies
Ponies are small horses often known for their gentle and friendly nature. They are frequently used for riding experiences, particularly for children.
Although relatively small, ponies are strong animals and have historically been used for agricultural work and other tasks.
Visitor Information and Access
Opening Hours
March 1–October 31: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
November 1–the end of February: 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays, except when Wednesday is a public holiday.
Getting There
By car, Gunma Safari Park is approximately 5 kilometers from the Tomioka Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway, making it particularly convenient for visitors traveling by car. Parking is available at the park.
There is no direct conventional public transportation service to the park. From Joshutomioka Station on the Joshin Electric Railway, visitors can take a taxi, which takes approximately 15 minutes, or use Tomioka City’s shared taxi service, “Ai-Taku.”
Combining the Safari with Other Attractions
Gunma Safari Park is located relatively close to Tomioka Silk Mill, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that symbolizes the history of Japan’s modern silk industry. Visitors can combine the safari park with sightseeing in and around Tomioka City.
The park also provides convenient access to other attractions in western Gunma, including the scenic Mount Myogi area and Shimonita Town. This makes the safari park a useful stop on a wider sightseeing itinerary through western Gunma.
An Unforgettable Day Surrounded by Wildlife
Gunma Safari Park offers much more than a conventional zoo experience. Traveling through large animal enclosures and encountering wildlife at close range creates an exciting sense of adventure and provides opportunities to learn about animals and conservation.
Whether you are traveling with children, exploring Gunma with friends, or simply interested in wildlife, the combination of safari drives, walking areas, animal encounters, and educational exhibits offers a full day of activities.
When visiting Tomioka and western Gunma, a safari through the park provides a memorable opportunity to experience the world of wildlife while surrounded by the region’s beautiful natural landscape.