Fuji Safari Park

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Fuji Safari Park is a large drive-through safari zoo at the foot of Mount Fuji in Susono, eastern Shizuoka. Visitors travel through expansive enclosures where lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other animals roam in naturalistic surroundings, with the great cone of Fuji rising behind on clear days.

Alongside the safari zone is a walking Fureai area with smaller and domestic animals for close encounters, plus night safaris in summer.

Fuji Safari Park lets you see big game up close from your own car or a special safari bus, all against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, a combination found nowhere else. It is one of the Fuji foothills' top family attractions.

With feeding experiences, a petting zone, night safaris and easy access from Tokyo and the outlets, it makes an engaging day out.

The 2.5-hour drive-through Safari Zone, home to lions, tigers, cheetahs, bears, elephants and giraffes, is the centrepiece. The Jungle Bus, from which you can feed animals through mesh windows, is a highlight.

The walk-through Fureai Zone with kangaroos, alpacas and pettable animals, the dog and cat runs, and the summer Night Safari complete the experience.

Drive your own car or ride the animal-shaped Jungle Bus through the safari enclosures, feeding lions, bears and elephants from the bus. Walk the Fureai Zone to pet and meet smaller animals.

Join a guided navigation car tour, meet the resident dogs and cats, and in summer take the Night Safari to see nocturnal animal behaviour under the stars.

The Safari Zone drive-through, with its seven sections of carnivores and herbivores, is essential. The Jungle Bus feeding experience is a must for close animal encounters.

The Fureai walking zone with kangaroos, capybaras and petting animals, and the seasonal Night Safari, are further must-do attractions.

The park's dog and cat interaction areas, where visitors can walk rented dogs or cuddle cats, are a quieter delight often missed by first-timers. The lesser-used guided navigation-car option gives expert commentary.

Early entry on a clear morning offers active animals and the sharpest Fuji backdrop before the day warms and crowds build.

While a wildlife attraction rather than a cultural site, Fuji Safari Park reflects Japan's family-oriented leisure culture and its love of animal interaction, or fureai. Its setting weaves in the ever-present reverence for Mount Fuji.

The nearby Fuji foothill shrines and hot springs offer deeper cultural context for a fuller day.

Set on the open Fuji foothills at around 850 metres, the park spreads across grassland and woodland enclosures with the mountain as a backdrop. The cool highland air and expansive landscape frame the animal experience.

The surrounding foothills offer hiking, the Fuji Skyline and highland scenery, so the park pairs well with outdoor excursions.

This is a premier family destination: children thrill at seeing lions and elephants up close, feeding animals from the Jungle Bus and petting kangaroos and alpacas in the Fureai Zone. Strollers and family facilities are provided.

The safari drive, walking zone and animal encounters entertain all ages, making a full, memorable family day out.

The park's after-dark offering is the seasonal Night Safari, run on summer evenings, when visitors tour the enclosures to see nocturnal animals active in the cool night air. Otherwise the park closes by evening.

For wider evening options, nearby Gotemba and Susono and the Fuji foothill resorts offer dining and hot springs.

Animals in the foreground with Mount Fuji rising behind, seen from the safari drive on a clear day, is the signature shot. The Jungle Bus feeding moments and the giraffes and elephants against the sky are photogenic.

The Fureai Zone encounters and the summer Night Safari offer further memorable, if challenging, photography.

Fuji Safari Park opened in 1980 as one of Japan's major drive-through safari parks, taking advantage of the open Fuji foothills to house large animals in spacious enclosures. It has since expanded its feeding experiences, night safaris and interaction zones.

It remains a leading Fuji-area family attraction and a pioneer of Japan's safari-park format.

The park lies in the Susono and Gotemba foothill area, a region of dairy farming, hot springs and the Gotemba trail up Mount Fuji. Local culture blends Fuji reverence, highland agriculture and modern leisure tourism.

Nearby attractions such as the outlets and safari park reflect the area's role as a Fuji-area recreation hub.

Clear autumn and winter days give the sharpest Fuji backdrop and active animals in the cool air, though winter is cold at this altitude. Summer brings the Night Safari but bigger crowds and warmer, sometimes hazy conditions.

Weekdays are far quieter than weekends and holidays; spring and autumn balance comfort and visibility.

At around 850 metres, the park is cooler than the lowlands, with mild summers, crisp autumns and cold, occasionally snowy winters. Animals are often most active in cooler weather.

Clear Fuji views are most likely in autumn and winter; summer can be hazy. Dress warmly in the colder months and bring rain protection.

The park runs the seasonal Night Safari on summer evenings and hosts seasonal animal events, baby-animal seasons and feeding demonstrations. Holiday periods bring special activities.

Check the Fuji Safari Park official site for current Night Safari dates, seasonal events and any special animal encounters.

Arrive at opening for active animals and a clear Fuji backdrop. Take the Jungle Bus or drive the Safari Zone, feeding animals along the way, then explore the Fureai walking zone and meet the dogs and cats.

Lunch at the park, and in summer return for the Night Safari, or continue to the nearby outlets or a Fuji foothill onsen.

A full visit, including the safari drive or bus and the Fureai walking zone, takes about three to four hours. Adding feeding experiences, meals and the Night Safari can fill much of a day.

Combined with nearby Gotemba attractions, it makes a comfortable full-day Fuji-foothills outing.

From Gotemba Station or Susono Station on the JR Gotemba Line, take a local bus to the park, about 30 to 35 minutes; a direct bus also runs from Mishima Station in summer. Gotemba connects to Tokyo via the Tokaido Line or Odakyu Romancecar.

By car, it is off the Susono or Gotemba interchange on the Tomei and Higashi-Fuji expressways, with large car parks.

The Safari Zone is toured by private car, the Jungle Bus or a guided navigation car, while the Fureai Zone is explored on foot. The two areas are linked within the park.

Buses connect the park to Gotemba and Susono stations, and the car parks serve drivers directly; a car is convenient for the whole visit.

Gotemba and Susono stations on the JR Gotemba Line are the nearest railway stations, linked to the park by local bus. Mishima Station offers a seasonal direct bus and Shinkansen connections.

The Susono and Gotemba interchanges on the expressway network are the closest motorway access for drivers.

The park generally opens daily around 9am to 4:30pm or 5pm, with longer hours and the Night Safari on summer evenings, and slightly shorter winter hours. The last safari entry is before closing.

Check the Fuji Safari Park official site for current opening times, Night Safari dates and seasonal changes before visiting.

Admission is around 3,200 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children, with under-threes free. The Jungle Bus, guided navigation car and dog or cat walks cost extra, typically 1,300 to 1,700 yen.

Parking is around 500 yen. Check the official site for current admission, bus and Night Safari prices.

The park has restaurants and cafes serving family fare such as curry, ramen, burgers and safari-themed dishes, plus snack stands. The nearby Gotemba Premium Outlets and Tokinosumika resort add wider dining.

Gotemba and Susono town offer local eateries, and the area is known for dairy soft-serve and Fuji foothill produce.

The Gotemba and Susono foothills are known for dairy, so rich soft-serve ice cream and cheese are local treats, alongside highland vegetables and Gotemba kogen craft beer. Fuji spring-water dishes feature in the area.

The park's own dining leans toward family and safari-themed fare rather than regional cuisine.

There is no lodging in the park, but nearby Gotemba, Susono and the Fuji foothills offer business hotels, onsen ryokan and resort stays, including the Tokinosumika resort by the outlets. The Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone add further options.

Staying nearby lets families combine the safari with a Night Safari and other Fuji attractions.

A family visit costs mainly admission, around 3,200 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children, plus any Jungle Bus or interaction fees and meals. Transport from Tokyo adds a few thousand yen.

Budget roughly 6,000 to 10,000 yen per adult for a full day including extras and food.

The park shop sells animal-themed souvenirs, plush toys, snacks and Fuji Safari Park goods. The nearby Gotemba Premium Outlets offer extensive brand shopping a short distance away.

Gotemba and Susono provide local dairy and Fuji foothill products as edible souvenirs.

In the Safari Zone, keep car windows and doors closed and follow all staff instructions, as the animals are dangerous. Feed animals only as directed from the Jungle Bus, and never leave your vehicle in the drive-through area.

In the Fureai Zone, follow petting rules, wash hands afterward, and dress warmly at this cool altitude.

The park is largely accessible, with the safari tour doable by car or bus, accessible toilets, wheelchair rental and mostly flat Fureai paths. The Jungle Bus and some interactions may have limitations.

Contact the park in advance about wheelchair access on the buses and the most accessible routes and parking.

The park offers some English signage and materials, and the visual, animal-based experience needs little language, though staff English varies. A translation app helps with tickets and food orders.

Basic Japanese greetings are appreciated, and safari safety instructions are usually clearly signposted.

Arrive at opening for active animals and clear Fuji views, and book or queue early for the popular Jungle Bus. Dress warmly for the cool altitude, and consider the summer Night Safari for a different experience.

Combine the park with the nearby outlets or a Fuji foothill onsen, and bring cash for extras and parking.

Bring warm layers for the cool foothills, comfortable shoes for the Fureai Zone, and a camera for the animals and Fuji backdrop. Cash covers admission extras, parking and food.

Hand sanitiser for the petting zone, sun protection in summer and rain gear are useful additions.

Respect the animals by following all feeding and interaction rules and not littering the enclosures or paths. Use public transport from Gotemba or Susono where possible to reduce car traffic.

Support local foothill producers by trying regional dairy and beer, and dispose of waste responsibly within the park.

Gotemba Premium Outlets and the Tokinosumika onsen and brewery resort are close, as are the Fuji foothill shrines and the Gotemba trailhead of Mount Fuji. Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes are a short drive away.

The Fujinomiya World Heritage sites and Mishima Skywalk are within reach for a fuller Fuji-area trip.

The Fuji Safari Park official website publishes opening hours, admission and bus prices, Night Safari dates, access maps and seasonal events. The Susono and Gotemba tourism associations cover the wider area.

Check these official sources for current hours, ticket options and Night Safari schedules before visiting.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.