Zao Fox Village: A Practical Guide for Your Miyagi Trip
Zao Fox Village (Miyagi Zao Kitsune Mura) is a wooded park in the hills of Shiroishi, southern Miyagi, where more than 100 foxes of several kinds live in a free-roaming enclosure that you walk through. For many overseas travellers it is the main reason to come to this part of Japan.
We run MARUKI Saifuku, a 100-year-old merchant house in Kakuda that we rent to one group a day. It is about 50 minutes' drive from the fox village — not the closest place to stay, and we say so plainly in our comparison of where to stay. This page collects what our guests ask us most before they go.
At a glance
| Location | 11-3 Kawarago, Fukuoka Yatsumiya, Shiroishi, Miyagi |
|---|---|
| Hours | Summer 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00) Winter, from 15 October: 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30) May close early in bad weather. |
| Closed | Wednesdays (open on Wednesdays during the May holidays and Obon in August). Winter opening days change with the snow each year — check the official calendar. |
| Admission | Adults (junior high age and up) ¥1,500; elementary school age and under free |
| Time needed | About 1–1.5 hours |
| Not allowed | Pets, strollers. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot go into the free-roaming area. |
| From MARUKI Saifuku | About 50 minutes by car on local roads (no tolls) |
What the visit is like
After the entrance you walk into the fox area itself: a slope of woodland with paths, where foxes sleep in the sun, wander between the trees and watch you as closely as you watch them. There is no glass between you. Away from the free-roaming area there are also enclosures with other animals such as goats and rabbits, and at times a chance to hold a fox for a photo — whether it is running and what it costs is decided on the day, so ask at the entrance.
The rules are simple and are there for your safety. Foxes are animals living close to the wild, and they do bite:
- Don't crouch or sit down, and don't let your hands dangle.
- Don't touch or feed the foxes except where staff say you may.
- Keep bags closed and loose items (scarves, key rings) out of reach.
- Follow the guidance at the entrance and any instruction from staff.
Visiting with children
Children are welcome, but the village is strict about supervision: every child must be accompanied by at least one adult, and one adult may not enter with two or more children. A family of two adults and three young children, for example, will need to take turns. Strollers cannot go in, so bring a baby carrier. The official site notes that children falling over or getting bitten is not unusual — hold hands and keep little ones upright.
How to get there
By car (the easiest way)
The village is about 20 minutes from Shiroishi IC on the Tohoku Expressway. From Sendai the official site gives about 30 minutes on the expressway (Sendai-Minami IC to Shiroishi IC) plus those 20 minutes, or about an hour on local roads. From our house in Kakuda it is about 50 minutes on local roads, crossing the Abukuma River and the farmland of Shiroishi.
To drive in Japan you need an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention) or, for some countries and regions, an official Japanese translation of your licence. Check the requirement for your country with your rental company before you travel.
By train and bus
The nearest Shinkansen station is Shiroishi-Zao (about 2 hours from Tokyo on some Yamabiko trains), about 20 minutes from the village by car. Takeya Kotsu runs seasonal buses from the station — the timetable changes through the year, so check it before you rely on it. Taxis are available at the station, and the village staff can call one for your return.
When to go
The village is open all year, and every season is different. In winter the foxes wear their thick coats and the woods are often under snow — many visitors' favourite time, but hours are shorter and the roads need care; we wrote a separate winter guide. In warm months the foxes moult and spend more time asleep in the shade. Whatever the season, the first hour after opening is usually the quietest.
Where to stay
Most visitors come on a day trip from Sendai. If you are driving and want to see more of southern Miyagi, staying a night nearby turns a rushed day into a relaxed one. The main choices are hotels around Shiroishi's stations, the hot-spring inns of Kamasaki Onsen, the resort area of Togatta Onsen on the Zao side, the city of Sendai — and towns a little further out such as Kakuda.
We compare them, including when not to choose us, in Where to stay for Zao Fox Village. If you want a ready-made plan, see our two-day road trip or the seasonal two-day courses from the house.
Sources: Zao Fox Village official website (hours, admission, rules and access, checked 17 October 2026) and its winter hours notice. Hours, fees and bus times change; please check the official site before you go.
FAQ
- Is Zao Fox Village open in winter?
- Yes. From 15 October it runs on winter hours, 9:00–16:00 with last entry at 15:30, and it may close early in heavy snow. Winter opening days vary each year with the weather, so check the official calendar.
- How long should I plan for the visit?
- About an hour to an hour and a half inside, plus travel. From Shiroishi-Zao Station or Shiroishi IC it is about 20 minutes by car.
- Can I visit without a car?
- Yes, by Shinkansen to Shiroishi-Zao Station and then a seasonal Takeya Kotsu bus or a taxi. Buses are infrequent, so check the timetable first.
- Can young children visit?
- Yes, but each child must be with at least one adult, and one adult cannot enter with two or more children. Strollers are not allowed; bring a baby carrier.
- How far is MARUKI Saifuku from Zao Fox Village?
- About 50 minutes by car on local roads. It is not the closest place to stay — see our comparison to decide whether it suits your trip.