Beautiful Foxes at Zao Fox Village, Miyagi Prefecture | The Real Japan

Beautiful Foxes at Zao Fox Village, Miyagi Prefecture | The Real Japan | HD

Less than one hour drive from Sendai, Zao Fox Village is Japan’s largest fox-themed animal park.

Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region, on Honshu – Japan’s main island.

Foxes (kitsune in Japanese) commonly feature in Japanese folklore and culture. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing paranormal abilities that increase with their age and wisdom.

According to Yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. Carved stone statues of foxes can often be found at the entrance to shinto shrines.

In this film I follow one fox whose attention was drawn by noises on the other side of the park’s perimeter fencing. I could hear the sound of rustling leaves but couldn’t see what was making the noise.

Although the fox was preoccupied, it knew I was following and was very relaxed about me getting very close, as it peered through the fence trying to locate the source of the rustling.

Generally, I don’t like seeing animals in captivity, so did a fair bit of research before deciding to go here.

There are definitely pros and some cons of the concept.

However, on balance, I think the foxes at Zao Fox Village have a good life and they certainly live longer here than they would in the wild.

More than 100 foxes freely roam in a park. The village is located in a quiet, rural area of the Miyagi mountains. It’s a lovely setting and I was surprised at just how large the park is.

As the foxes are used to seeing humans, it is possible to get up close to these beautiful animals – as you can see in the film.

Indeed, if you are carrying food, some of the more inquisitive (and braver) foxes are bold enough to jump up at or climb onto you if you’re not careful.

On site there is a fox ‘hospital’. Here, foxes that are sick for any reason can be cared for and quarantined before being returned to the village.

All the foxes are regularly checked for echinococcus (a parasite common to foxes in the wild), so that the pack remains healthy.

If you like foxes but are uncomfortable with zoos (as am I) then I recommend doing further research on Zao Fox Village before deciding to visit to reach your own decision.

Me? I was glad I went and had the opportunity get so close to these beautiful creatures.

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As The Real Japan, Rob Dyer shares inspiration and resources for discovering and exploring Japan beyond the cliches – The Real Japan. Rob is an expert on those off-the-beaten track places and he loves to share his knowledge.

If you’re really serious about discovering and exploring The Real Japan, I’ve personally put together a free guide to Amazing Adventures in Japan that you really need to get a copy of. In that guide I cover 5 (actually there’s 6 – but don’t tell anyone!) unforgettable adventures in Japan, spanning the northern most and coldest island of Hokkaido, through the main island of Honshu, and down to the sub-tropical southern island of Okinawa. What’s more, 2 of those amazing adventures are completely free – so won’t cost you a penny!