Gunma Safari Park Ticket

Lions taking meat just feet away make this more than a quick look at animals behind a fence. At Gunma Safari Park, you can see about 100 kinds of animals in surroundings close to nature, and choose between driving through the safari zone yourself or paying extra for a park bus.

I like the close animal encounters and the choice to add a feeding experience, especially if you are visiting with children. The park’s restaurant, shop, parking and roughly 2 to 3 hour visit also make it an easy family outing. One thing to plan for: the listed ticket covers admission, not the safari bus or feeding options, and popular bus tours can sell out early.

Key points to know before you go

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• Around 100 kinds of animals: Look for lions, tigers, zebras, kangaroos and other animals in the safari zone.
• Choose your ride: You can use your own eligible car or pay extra to join a park tour bus.
• Feeding adds a thrill: Some bus experiences let you feed herbivores and lions. Check the extra cost and availability on the day.
• Plan for a few hours: Most visits can fit into a 2 to 3 hour outing, though queues and add-on activities can affect your schedule.
• Bring your own food budget: Meals and drinks are not included, but the park has a restaurant and shop.
• Check the calendar: The park is usually closed Wednesdays, with exceptions during certain holiday periods.

The safari zone makes this more than a zoo visit

Gunma Safari Park is in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s two true safari parks. The main draw is the chance to see animals in a more open setting than a conventional enclosure, with your vehicle moving through the safari zone rather than following a walking-only route.

About 100 kinds of animals are kept and displayed here. Lions, tigers, zebras and kangaroos are among the animals you may see. The park’s appeal is not just the variety, but the shift in perspective: from a car or bus, animals can feel close enough to study their movement and behavior rather than simply glance at them from a path.

This format is particularly useful for families. You can watch from inside a vehicle, take a break when needed, and move through the main safari experience without making the whole outing a long walk. A family with younger children may find that much easier than a traditional zoo day.

The trade-off is that the experience depends on the route and the animals’ activity. You are observing living animals, not watching a timed show, so sightings and moments of action can vary. If you want the most memorable encounter, consider a feeding option, but treat it as an add-on rather than part of the standard admission ticket.

Pick a car or pay extra for the park bus

You have two basic ways to see the safari zone: drive your own car or take one of the park’s tour buses. Driving gives you control over your pace and can be convenient if you are already exploring Gunma by car. The park bus offers a guided ride, and its driver can explain what you are seeing along the route.

The bus is not included in the admission ticket. You will need to pay an additional fare to transfer to a park tour bus, so check the current price and availability before you commit. The standard ticket includes admission, tax, parking and a guide radio, but not meals, drinks or priority entry.

There are vehicle restrictions to know about. Convertible cars, trucks, canvas-top vehicles and similar vehicles cannot enter the safari zone. If your vehicle is not allowed, use a park tour bus instead. Pets are also not allowed inside the venue, except service animals with valid identification. If you are bringing a pet, the park directs you to its pet care facilities.

A bus can be a good choice if you want to leave the driving to someone else and hear commentary. One family reported that the driver’s explanations worked well for children, and the bus route can differ from the route used by private cars. But bus seats and add-on tours are not guaranteed just because you have an admission ticket. On busy days, arrive early and ask about bus departures as soon as you get there.

Feeding tours bring you close to the action

The feeding experiences are the park’s most dramatic extra. Depending on the tour, you may be able to feed herbivores or lions. Watching a lion open its mouth and take meat at close range is a very different experience from seeing one rest behind a barrier. It can be thrilling, particularly for older children and adults who want a stronger wildlife encounter.

The feeding bus is a paid add-on. Do not assume that buying admission secures a place on it, and do not leave the decision until late in the day if it is a priority. Bus tours have limited places, and special tours can sell out. If feeding is at the top of your list, head to the relevant ticket counter early and confirm the schedule and fare before settling into the rest of the park.

There may also be a walking area or animal-contact booth within the park. Access to some hands-on activities can require a numbered ticket, so availability may be limited. Keep expectations flexible: admission gets you into the park, but it does not promise a place in every optional activity.

Dusk and night safaris are also offered at certain times. These tours can show animal behavior you might not see during daylight, such as feeding and activity after dark. Seasonal schedules and availability can change, so check the official park information before planning your day around one.

Allow two to three hours, with room for a longer stop

A typical visit takes about 2 to 3 hours. That is enough time for the main drive and a look around, but a bus tour, feeding activity, animal-contact stop, meal or a busy queue can stretch the visit. If you are arriving on a weekend or holiday, leave extra time rather than planning a tight onward connection.

The park is not only a drive-through attraction. There are services and viewing spots where you can get a closer look at animals, plus a restaurant and shop. The restaurant serves a range of meals, including themed dishes such as Lion-kids grilled curry, savanna lunch and barbecue lunch. Meals and drinks cost extra, so budget for them separately.

The shop sells stuffed animals and sweets, handy if you are visiting with children or want a small souvenir. One practical caution: keep your schedule realistic. If you want to do the safari, stop for lunch and try a feeding activity, a short two-hour visit may feel rushed.

Getting there from Tomioka or Takasaki

The park’s address is 1 Okamoto, Tomioka, Gunma 370-2321. By car, it is about a five-minute drive from Tomioka City IC. Parking is included with the ticket, which makes a car a straightforward option for this outing.

If you are arriving by rail, the park is about 15 minutes by taxi from Joshu Tomioka Station on the Joshin Electric Railway. From JR Takasaki Station, allow about 40 minutes by taxi. Those are taxi estimates, not public transit journey times, so factor in the fare and arrange transport accordingly.

The park can also work as a stop on a wider Gunma or Karuizawa-area trip. Its visit length is manageable for a half-day plan, though your total outing will depend on how you reach it and whether you add a bus tour or meal. If you are relying on a taxi, check your return plan before you arrive.

Tickets, opening days and entry details

The admission ticket starts at $18.99, though the price you see may vary. For that price, the basic value is the chance to visit a safari park with a substantial range of animals and the option to move through the safari zone in your own car. If you want the bus, feeding or a meal, add those costs to your budget before comparing it with other outings.

The ticket is valid only on the selected date and time, if a time is specified. You need to show the voucher from the Klook app at entry. It does not provide priority entrance, so expect to wait in line and follow staff directions. Children aged 0 to 2 enter free. Visitors aged 65 and older may be asked to show public identification to confirm their age.

The park is usually closed on Wednesdays. It may stay open on a Wednesday during special periods such as spring break, Golden Week, summer vacation and the New Year holidays. Opening times can also shift by season, and last admission is 3:30 pm. Check the official website before setting out, especially if your visit falls near a holiday or seasonal change.

Once you leave the venue, re-entry is not allowed. Some facilities and activities may also close depending on the season. Keep the voucher accessible, and do not rely on a screenshot or booking confirmation alone if staff ask to see the issued voucher.

Who will get the most from this visit?

Families with children are a natural fit. The vehicle-based safari makes the main experience easy to manage, and optional feeding adds a memorable focal point. There is also a restaurant and shop on site, so you can take a break without turning the day into a complicated excursion.

Animal lovers who want close views of large animals should also enjoy it, especially if they are willing to pay extra for a bus or feeding experience. The bus can be a better choice if you would rather focus on the animals than drive, and its driver may provide helpful commentary.

The park is less suited to anyone expecting a fully guided wildlife tour included in the entry price. The basic ticket is admission only, with no priority entrance and no included meal or bus transfer. If your budget is tight, driving your own eligible car can keep extra costs down. If you have a convertible or another restricted vehicle, the required bus fare changes the cost calculation.

Should you book Gunma Safari Park?

Book if you want a family-friendly animal outing with the option to see lions, tigers and other animals from close range. The basic admission price can be good value for a couple of hours, particularly if you are travelling by car and are content to take the standard route.

Plan ahead if feeding or a bus tour is essential to your visit. Those activities cost extra and can have limited availability, so arriving early matters. Check opening days, seasonal hours and any activity closures before you go. If you are happy with a flexible visit and understand that the headline ticket does not include every experience, Gunma Safari Park is a practical and lively stop in Tomioka.

FAQ

How long should I allow for Gunma Safari Park?

Plan for about 2 to 3 hours. Bus tours, feeding activities, queues and a meal can add time.

What does the admission ticket include?

The package includes one admission ticket, tax, parking and a guide radio. Meals, drinks, priority entrance and personal expenses are not included.

Can I drive my own car through the safari zone?

Yes, you can use your own car, but convertibles, trucks, canvas-top vehicles and similar vehicles are not allowed in the safari zone. You can use a park tour bus instead, for an additional fare.

Can I feed the animals?

Feeding experiences are available on some tours, including options to feed herbivores and lions. These experiences require an additional fare and may have limited availability.

Is Gunma Safari Park open on Wednesdays?

The park is usually closed on Wednesdays. It may open on a Wednesday during special periods such as spring break, Golden Week, summer vacation and the New Year holidays.

How do I get to the park from nearby stations?

The park is about 15 minutes by taxi from Joshu Tomioka Station and about 40 minutes by taxi from JR Takasaki Station. By car, it is about five minutes from Tomioka City IC.

Do children aged 0 to 2 need a ticket?

No. Children aged 0 to 2 can enter free of charge.