Enchanting snow foxes playing in Miyagis winter wonderland.
Snow foxes playing in the enchanting winter wonderland of Miyagis Zao Fox Village.

Zao Fox Village

At Zao, in Miyagi prefecture, lies the answer to an eternal question: why do we say something is foxy!? With a hundred foxes roaming around, you’ll have an extreme immersion experience.

At Zao, in Miyagi prefecture, lies the answer to an eternal question: why do we say something is foxy!? With a hundred foxes roaming around, you’ll have an extreme immersion experience.

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, religion, religious, shinto, snow, spiritual, tohoku, tori, winter

There’s an Inari shrine in the middle of the village – it’s something else to see foxes passing under the torii. They are of course the messengers of Inari.

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, snow, tohoku, winter

The standard offering for the slinky messengers is sake and rice, but best avoid that here. These cute-looking gluttons will always want more and won’t think twice about nipping your fingers!

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, snow, tohoku, winter

If you’d really like to feed them there’s no problem, as the staff sell croquettes for 100Y which will get you a little closer – but be careful …

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, snow, tohoku, winter

Aren’t they lovable? If you’re interested in foxes, it’s a really worthwhile experience. Imagine being able to observe and even approach them in the wild! I’ve seen them several times (at Gunma, Shikoku, Hokkaido, Nagano …) and each time they were approachable. Probably used to being fed by the locals all over the country.

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, snow, tohoku, winter

As for the smell, how can I describe it? Durians impregnated with ammonia maybe? But that would be fake news, wouldn’t it … 😉

animal, asia, fox, japan, japanese, miyagi, natural, nature, snow, tohoku, winter

Admission isn’t expensive (1,000Y) but the village is quite remote. So you could combine visiting the foxes with Zao ski resort and a wander among the “Snow Monsters” (trees glazed with ice) in the winter months.

Gallerie Photos

For more on the village, there’s a site in English with the latest information here.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
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I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Emerald river, Concrete whispers through green trees— Harmony awakes.エメラルド川、 緑木々を抜ける音— 調和が目を覚ます。#hydropower #natureandtech #emeraldgreen #sustainableenergy #offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #japan
Doll faces whisper, In kimono dreams they rest, Lifelike hues of peace. 関風と囁く、 着物の夢に眠る、 平和の色。#offbeatjapan #japan #hinamatsuri #traditionalcrafts #japanesedolls #kimonolove #serenebeauty
Golden sun awakens, Whispering mist hugs green hills— Sky's mirror below. ---金色の太陽が目覚め、 囁く霧が緑の丘を包む— 空は下を映す。 ---#tanada #offbeatjapan #serenesunrise #japanlandscapes #mysticalmorning #ruraljapan #traditionalagriculture #japan
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Crimson dreams whisper, Wooden echoes of the past, In tranquil embrace.  赤夢囁く、 過去の木の響き、 静かな抱擁。  #DarumaDreams #ShrineQuietude #SereneJapan #RuralRetreat #CulturalSymbols #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden grasses sway, Ferris wheel rusts under sky— Blue, pink whispers past.---金色の草が揺れる、 錆びた観覧車の下で— 青とピンクの囁きが通り過ぎる。---#offbeatjapan #japan #haikyo #abandonedplaces #amusementpark #ferriswheel #nostalgia #urbanexploration
Emerald whispers, Jizo in crimson repose, Peace in quiet woods.---翡翠のささやき、 赤き地蔵の静寂、 静かな森の安らぎ。---#sacredjapan #jizostatue #forestbathing #serenity #spiritualjapan #offbeatjapan #japan
Lanterns softly glow, Slate-gray mirrors vibrant hues— City whispers dreams.---ランタンの灯り、 石畳に映る— 街の夢語。---#offbeatjapan #japan #japanesenightlife #yokocho #neonnights #lanterns #urbanjapan