Zoom-zoom-zoo 0
Went to the most popular zoo in Japan yesterday, Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, center most city of the island we live on. Of course we went there mainly for Davy but I am glad to have gone as well. The zoo's design is original and is likely the future of zoo designs everywhere: the idea is to get the viewer (you and I) out of the traditional box of viewing and into the realm of the animals instead. So instead of just standing in front of cage bars, we can watch a polar bear swim in front of our eyes.
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0608.jpg" width="300" >
It was incredible–s/he was right in front of the window. That is one big animal.
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0611.jpg" width="300" >
The zoo uses Plexiglas "bubble windows" where you can "pop your head up" into the surrounding bear's environment. Basically, it is just a window in a novel position. But because it is rounded you really feel like a groundhog poking its head up out from the ground–only to bury it down again after gazing at the size of the polar bear!
To get an idea of some of the other novel ways this zoo presents animals, check out their "seal aquarium":
<img src="http://www.kkryoko.co.jp/english/products/aquarium/imege/asahiI01.jpg" width="300" >
<img src="http://www.kkryoko.co.jp/english/products/aquarium/imege/asahiI02.jpg" width="300" >
Really, it was a fantastic zoo: tigers lying <em>above</em> you on cages very close to your face:
<img src="http://www.zoo-net.org/info/trip/japan/asahiyama/reopard2.jpg" width="300" >
Save view from a different angle (you can see the cage above the man):
<img src="http://www.zoo-net.org/info/trip/japan/asahiyama/reopard3.jpg" width="300" >
Also check out the penguin tunnel you can walk through and witness penguins swim over you<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/ijunji/B-CubicVR/2003/penguin-zoo.html"> (the link is a 360-degree picture you can "drag" around to get an idea)</a>.
Here are a few highlights of the trip.
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0657.jpg" width="300" >
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0675.jpg" width="300" >
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0700.jpg" width="300" >
This one is just to show how the Asian idea turns the traditional "pirate boat" on its head here.
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0715.jpg" width="300" >
In case you don't already know it is a dragon boat!
And this final shot is just my artistic take on the day.
<img src="http://www.gravesnet.com/drop/IMG_0713.jpg" width="300" >
It was a good moment, that.
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