Miyagi Zao Fox Village, also known as Kitsune Mura, is a tourist attraction and sanctuary for foxes in Shiroishi, Miyagi, Japan where visitors can feed and interact with foxes.[1][2][3][4] The village's main exhibit is an open area where foxes roam around and visitors can enter to interact with and feed them, although attempting to pet or hand-feed the foxes is not advised as they may bite.[5] There are over 100 foxes, including typical red and arctic foxes, foxes with uncommon coat colors, such as silver and platinum foxes, and red-arctic fox hybrids.[1][6] The village also has rabbits, miniature horses, goats, and guinea pigs, in addition to gift and snack shops.[2][5] In the spring, events are hosted in which visitors can hug fox kits.[7]
Zao Fox Village | |
---|---|
The entrance to Zao Fox Village | |
![]() | |
38°02′27″N 140°31′49″E / 38.0408°N 140.5303°E | |
Location | Shiroishi, Miyagi, Japan |
No. of animals | Over 100 |
Major exhibits | Foxes |
Website | http://zao-fox-village.com/ |
Criticism
editWhile the zoo has been dubbed the "Cutest place on Earth",[8] it has also received criticism due to the high density of foxes, which are normally solitary or live in small groups, foxes kept in cages, frequent fox fights, a perceived lack of greenery, and allegedly poor sanitation.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Zao Fox Village: Where all your cutes are belong to us". Rocket News. 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Fox Village". NHK. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "A Look Around Fox Village in Japan". www.huhmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "You can play all day with foxes at this village in Japan". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Zao Fox Village - Miyagi - Japan Travel - Japan Tourism Guide and Travel Map". Japan Travel. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "Cutest "FOX" Heaven in Japan : Zao Fox Village!". JW Web Magazine. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "A village where the fox is the boss!". CBC Kids. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "Fox Village In Japan Is Probably The Cutest Place On Earth". Bored Panda. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ Feinn, Lily (2 August 2018). "This 'Village' Full Of Foxes Is Not As Cute As It Seems". The Dodo. Retrieved 14 April 2020.