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Miyagi Zao Fox Village

Coordinates: 38°02′27″N 140°31′49″E / 38.0408°N 140.5303°E / 38.0408; 140.5303
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Zao Fox Village
The entrance to Zao Fox Village
Map
38°02′27″N 140°31′49″E / 38.0408°N 140.5303°E / 38.0408; 140.5303
LocationShiroishi, Miyagi, Japan
No. of animalsOver 100
Major exhibitsFoxes
Websitehttp://zao-fox-village.com/

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]

Criticism

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While 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] A 2022-2023 investigation by the Japan Animal Welfare Society (JAWS) documented severe fighting,[10] untreated injuries, inadequate housing, frozen water during winter, and welfare concerns. While some improvements were made, such as heated water bowls, JAWS concluded major issues persisted. Local authorities noted limited enforcement ability due to the absence of specific care standards for foxes in Japanese law.[11][12]

Foxes at Zao Fox Village
Two foxes at Zao Fox Village

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Fox Village". NHK. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ^ "A Look Around Fox Village in Japan". www.huhmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  4. ^ "You can play all day with foxes at this village in Japan". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Zao Fox Village - Miyagi - Japan Travel - Japan Tourism Guide and Travel Map". Japan Travel. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Cutest "FOX" Heaven in Japan : Zao Fox Village!". JW Web Magazine. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  7. ^ "A village where the fox is the boss!". CBC Kids. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Fox Village In Japan Is Probably The Cutest Place On Earth". Bored Panda. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  9. ^ Feinn, Lily (2 August 2018). "This 'Village' Full Of Foxes Is Not As Cute As It Seems". The Dodo. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  10. ^ 公益社団法人日本動物福祉協会 (16 June 2022). 【蔵王キツネ村】キタキツネ・喧嘩牽制シーン. Retrieved 12 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ 黑川, 光隆 (24 August 2022). "蔵王キツネ村の視察報告" (PDF). Japan Animal Welfare Society Report. 91: 3–5.
  12. ^ 黑川, 光隆 (27 February 2023). "蔵王キツネ村経過報告" (PDF). Japan Animal Welfare Society Report. 92: 6.
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