Feeding Show on the Lion Vehicle Is a Must at Gunma Safari Park – Their Tongues May Even Stretch into the Car

▲At Gunma Safari Park’s “meat-on-a-spear lion feeding,” the lions’ tongues almost reach into the car window.

Reported and photographed by Yan Yuncen in Tomioka City, Japan

Opened in 1976, Gunma Safari Park was once the largest safari park in eastern Japan. Covering an area of 35 hectares, this park is a must-visit, and one of the highlights is taking a ride on the“lion vehicle”to experience an up-close animal feeding show. Not only can you feed antelopes with grass in the African section and water buffaloes in the American section, but you can also venture directly into the lion area to feed lions with meat skewered on long metal tongs. Through the iron fence, you can clearly see the lions’ mouth structures—take the chance to count how many teeth they have.

▲The metal tongs and raw chicken prepared in the vehicle

▲The lion says: I want to eat it!!

▲A compilation of the feeding shows.

Gunma Safari Park is home to over 100 animals, including the very rare white tiger. When the reporter visited, it happened to be Family Day. As the tour vehicle entered the tiger area, visitors could see the white tiger parents playing with their two cubs on the grass—it was absolutely adorable. The driver may also stop briefly at specific spots depending on visitors’ reactions so that everyone can capture those special moments.

▲The white tiger mother and her cub.

▲The white tiger father looks like he wants to nap.

▲The adorable little white tiger explores the world.

The lion vehicles at Gunma Safari Park come in three colors: white, yellow, and brown. There are five scheduled runs per day, and the timetable can be found on the official website. Visitors can choose their preferred time to go. Also, a special tip: each vehicle has a unique “feature” – some drivers will intentionally drive closer to the animals based on passenger requests, allowing everyone to get better photos. If you’re not interested in the feeding shows, you can also choose to stay in the vehicle and not participate. Alternatively, you can exit the vehicle before the feeding show begins.

▲The herbivore feeding area.

▲They really get that close to you.

After viewing the animals in the Americas, Africa, Japan, and Asia sections, the lion vehicle will enter the “wild walking area.” This zone is home to carnivores such as black panthers, snow leopards, and gray wolves, as well as animals like llamas, donkeys, alpacas, and capybaras that visitors can get close to.

▲In the wild walking area, you can feed llamas—but be careful, they might spit if they’re unhappy.

▲Donkeys have incredibly strong bite strength.

▲Here comes the capybara right before your eyes.

During the reporter’s visit, a Patagonian mara (also known as the “rabbit hare”) escaped from its enclosure. The little creature somehow slipped out and wandered into the cheetah area, causing quite a stir among the predators, who repeatedly tried to chase it through the cage bars and issued low growls as warnings. Eventually, four staff members had to work together to corner the mara and guide it back into its proper enclosure.

▲The rabbit hare escaped and wandered into the cheetah zone, unsettling the big cats in their cages.

▲Staff members worked together to recapture the rabbit hare.

The lion vehicle tour takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. After returning to the main entrance, you can also visit the gift shop to pick up some unique souvenirs. Families traveling with children can head left to enjoy additional paid amusement rides such as a carousel, roller coaster, and teacups, giving the kids even more fun.

▲Exterior of the lion vehicle.

▲There’s also an amusement park next to the zoo.

On weekends, the park opens a cute animal interaction and photo zone where you can hold small mammals like chinchillas and guinea pigs for photos. More daring visitors can even take pictures with owls. The clicking sound made by their beaks is a warning—trained owls won’t peck at people, so you can sit a bit closer without being scared.

▲You can take photos with owls on weekends.

A museum you can “touch”

After visiting Gunma Safari Park, you can drive for 10 minutes to reach the Gunma Museum of Natural History in Tomioka City. As you ascend the steps, a massive unicorn skeleton comes into view. The museum’s exterior is designed to resemble rock strata, giving it an even more naturalistic feel. Inside, there are numerous exhibits, including an authentic dinosaur skeleton imported from the United States, as well as displays of various wildlife specimens native to Gunma Prefecture. In each geographical zone, one or two specimens are available for visitors to touch, ranging from foxes to owls.

▲ An authentic dinosaur skeleton on display.

▲ The exterior of the museum mimics a faulted rock wall.

The museum also offers several interactive experiences, such as using projections and sand to create landscapes, allowing visitors to live out their inner creator. There are also VR headsets and video screenings. If you try every activity, you could easily spend half a day here.

▲ Create mountains and seas using sand and projectors.

Gunma Safari Park

Address: 1 Okamoto, Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (March – October), 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (November – February) ※ Entry is one hour before closing.
Admission: Adults: ¥2,700, Children (ages 3 – junior high): ¥1,400, Seniors (65+): ¥1,900.
Official Website:http://www.safari.co.jp/

Gunma Museum of Natural History

Address: 1674-1 Kamiiwa-iwa, Tomioka City
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Admission: Adults: ¥510, Students (high school – university): ¥300, Elementary and younger: Free.
Official Website:http://www.gmnh.pref.gunma.jp/