Last Updated: Jan 14, 2024

Miyagi Zao Fox Village

Possibly the Cutest Place on Earth

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

If you spend any time at all browsing Instagram for wintertime Japan travel content, you’ve likely come across the Zao Fox Village during a doom scroll. Located in Shiroishi City on the Miyagi side of Mt. Zao, this gem up in the mountains is home to hundreds of Japanese foxes as well as a few other critters like goats to boot. Unlike with a traditional zoo, the foxes roam freely within the main enclosure. Though this does add an additional little bit of danger while visiting the Zao Fox Village, it’s also a dream come true for any animal lover who wants to get up close and personal with these adorable cuties.

Though Zao Fox Village is indeed open throughout the year, the best time to go is during the colder months of the year. The reason for this is simply that the space looks so much more enchanting when blanketed by snow. Though there are ample structures for the foxes to play on, the ground is rather barren, so if you’re obsessed with your Instagram aesthetics like I am, you’ll want to time your visit for when there is a lot of snow. After all, there is just something charming about the sight of a peacefully sleeping fox that is set against the background of powdery snow.