10 Things to do in Shiroishi That You Shouldn't Miss

Reviewed By williamsK3597ER

I visited the Zaō Fox Village back in 2014, during a trip to Japan with my dad. There are a number of reviews here and there online that deride this place as being a terrible, evil zoo where none of the foxes are cared for and blah blah blah. While a scant few may be legitimate, the vast majority of negative reviews seem to come from foreign tourists who (unsurprisingly) have a severe lack of education in regards to non-standard animal care. The fact that many of them spout the "X is a wild animal, let them be free" rhetoric that gets so many rescues killed all the time is proof enough of that. Thus, I'm writing this review in order to combat this typical animal-care stupidity, and give a better and more accurate picture of what the place is like. Walking in, there are a number of medium- and large-sized doggy crates containing, at most, three fox kits. These are the fox kits that, for a fee, visitors are allowed to hold for taking pictures. They have natural grassy/leafy bedding and they're clearly cared for, but the most important thing is that this obviously isn't their permanent home. The same goes for a single fox leashed to a pole in the middle of this area, which is meant as a greeting for visitors first coming in. Anyone with a lick of common sense could tell you that these animals are obviously switched out on a regular basis, and none of them are stuck in crates or leashed to poles 24/7. Further into this area, there is a much larger enclosure (about the standard size, going by other fox-caretaker enclosures) where recently-pregnant foxes and their new kits can be seen resting, sleeping, or otherwise living. Surprise surprise, this is likely where the fox kits and such actually spend the majority of their time. They have a good amount of room, lots of small structures to climb and play on, and they are also clearly cared for. (There are also a few other animals near the end of this area that form a small petting zoo. These are also very clearly cared for, but aren't the main attraction and thus aren't as relevant to discuss.) A door at the back of this introductory area leads into the primary living space for the foxes, a large swath of slightly-hilly land with numerous decorations, structures for climbing, playing or sleeping, and so on. The main occupants are red foxes, but there are a few lighter- and darker-coated ones, and a couple marble foxes as well. There are numerous large water-bins set out around the place for them to drink from, and they can usually be found napping, yipping at each other, running around, digging, and so on. Some may look shaggy, but I visited during the spring, which is shedding season. You are allowed to buy a pack of chopped hotdog or chopped carrot that you can feed the foxes with, as well. While I was not scolded for feeding them right there and then, there is a clearly-marked "feeding spot" where visitors can toss the food down at them from a closed structure. The foxes tend to get excited when they are fed, but they are not fighting angrily with each other for the food as some people claim. Their screeching and jumping/bumping around is considered gentle play by fox standards. This also applies to the "scent of urine" that some people complain about - this is simply the natural scent of fox. Beyond these two areas, there is also a small gift shop where you can buy shirts, fox plushies, and other souvenirs and memorabilia. I personally picked up a plushie and it was good quality. No spectacular, must-have gifts, but nothing bad either. Overall, I hope this review helps to push back against the general idiocy that seems to plague the reviews of this place. I would absolutely go back again if I could, and as someone who deeply loves foxes, visiting was the highlight of my trip.