Maruyama Zoo (円山動物園)

A nice way to spend half a day or even a couple of hours is to check out the animals at Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo. Nestled at the foot of mountains that rim the west of the city, Maruyama Zoo has a nice variety of animals (over 170 kinds) which can be seen from fairly close up. There's also a petting zoo section for the kids or kids at heart.
African and Asian zones are being constructed at the moment, with the Asian area due to be completed by the start of 2013.
There's an indoor Tropical Animal House which allows the larger (mostly African) animals like hippos, giraffes, big cats etc. to be seen throughout the year (yes, even in winter).
Check the signs at the entrance for information regarding events and daily feedings.

Entry: 600 yen for adults (high school students and up), free for junior high school students and
              younger, 540 yen each for groups of 30 or more, and 1000 yen for a full year's entry
              passport.
Parking: 700 yen for standard cars, 100 yen for motorbikes and scooters, 1000 yen for vans and
                  mini-buses
Open: 9am - 5pm (February to October), 9am - 4pm (November to January)
             Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time
             The zoo is closed on the 29th, 30th and 31st of December
Access: From Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
               Car/taxi: 20 minute drive from south exit (札幌駅南口).
               Bus: JR Bus - Burai Sightseeing Bus (ぶらいサッポロ観光バス) from Sapporo Station Bus
               Terminal #6. Takes about 30 minutes.Operates on weekends and public holidays from
               April 28th to November 4th, and daily from June 14th to August 19th.
               Subway: Take the Nanboku line bound for Makomanai, and transfer at Odori Station.
               Then take the Tozai line bound for Miyanosawa, and get off at Maruyama Koen Station.
               From Maruyama Koen Subway Station (円山公園駅)
               On foot: From Exit 3 walk straight down the road to Maruyama Park and follow the signs
               to the zoo. Takes around 15 minutes.
               Bus: Go to Maruyama Bus Teminal (円山バスターミナル) via Exit 2. Take the number 15
               Zoo Line (円15動物園線) from Terminal 5. Takes about 8 minutes.
               Taxi: About 5 minutes.
Website: http://www.city.sapporo.jp/zoo/index.html
                  (Japanese only apart from some English background info)
Phone number: 011-621-1426
Address: 〒064-0959 札幌市中央区宮ヶ丘3番地1