Fox Village Japan – Miyagi Zaofeatured
Fox Village Japan
How to get to Zao Fox Village
Fox Village is best accessed from the city of Sendai but can also be just a day trip from Tokyo. The fastest and the most efficient way to get around Japan is most definitely by Shinkansen. From Tokyo Station to Shiroishizao Station it is 2 hours by train. Download Hyderdia app to check trains timetable and make it your friend through all your travels in Japan (unless you have a car). From Shiroishizao station the easiest and the fastest option is to take a taxi. At the train station collect a small origami fox and just give it to the driver. He will know where to go! We got caught in a snowfall and it took 1 hour to get to the Village but in normal road conditions, it is about 15-20 minutes beautiful road trip up into the mountains. The Village is closed on Wednesdays and closes early on Tuesdays. Plan ahead! I strongly recommend combining the trip with a visit to Sendai. It is such a beautiful place and the least of major cities visited by tourists. That makes it very special!
The foxes village
This is officially the cutest place on Earth! I always wanted to visit it in winter, I think the red foxes on the white snow is just such an incredible look. You get to appreciate how wonderful these creatures are and fall in love with their fluffy cute faces! You will enter the park through the small enclosed area where foxes are in cages. Beyond that they are freely walking around, lots of them, everywhere. They are curious and very inquisitive. They will try to get into your bag if you have any food in it or make plastic bag noises!
Fox Village Japan
Fox Village Japan
How to enjoy foxes
Upon arrival, you will give an instruction. Foxes are so adorable to look at that you really want to pat one, or hug one. Well, hold that urge! You can’t touch them, they might bite. Or they might pee on your ( according to English instructions). And that’s not very luxe! Try not to drop anything on the ground, like your phone. Foxes will steal it and hide it. They can also be dangerous to small children so keep your kiddies close by! You can feed foxes in a designated area but whilst walking through the park you are not allowed to do that. Try not to get to close, otherwise, they can bite your clothes or bags. Just observe them doing their foxy things like digging holes, making adorable foxy noises and napping.
After you have received the necessary dose of cuteness, you can wander around the souvenir shop and buy yourself a toy fox. Then have a hot chocolate in the cafe while you wait for your taxi to arrive. There are also buses apparently that run to the train station, ask at reception!
Note on Shinkansen
If you plan to do a lot of travel around Japan get yourself a JR Pass. For some extra comfort make sure you a Green pass ( 1st class). Typically there are only a couple of Green Cars per train and they tend to be less busy, less touristy and a bit more comfortable. When you arrive in Japan, you will need to exchange the pass you bought in your country for an actual official JR Pass. You can do that only in a few places, for example, Tokyo Station. Although you are going to have a JR Pass, you still need to get tickets (reservations) for individual Shinkansen trips. Try to do that in advance. You might find ( depending on a season) that morning and evening trains are regularly booked out!