Gunma Safari Park in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, is turning 47 this year, and to mark the occasion the drive-through wildlife park is hosting a nostalgia-themed summer program called "Time Travel Safari," running daily from Saturday, July 18 to Sunday, August 23, 2026. Alongside it, an evening event called "Night Museum" will be held on 17 nights throughout the period.
Background
Since opening in 1979, Gunma Safari Park has welcomed generations of families, and 2026 marks its 47th year. Old photographs, pamphlets, park maps, and admission tickets from decades past offer a wave of nostalgia for parents and grandparents, while looking fresh and new to today's children.
Built around the concept of "back to the safari the family visited long ago — this time with the kids," the program brings these vintage materials and memorabilia into exhibits, merchandise, limited-time menus, and an on-site rally, recreating the feeling of stepping back in time to the safari of years past across the whole park. It is designed for three generations of a family to enjoy together during summer vacation and the Obon homecoming season.
Highlights of the "Time Travel Safari" Program
Admission tickets with a 47th anniversary acrylic keychain
Admission tickets bundled with an original acrylic keychain featuring a design based on the park's vintage pamphlets (one of two designs given at random) are available through the official ticket site.
Time Travel exhibition and photo spot
An exhibition corner and photo spot showcasing nostalgic photos and materials from the park's early years will be set up on the grounds, alongside a "Time Travel Exhibition Pop-Up Shop" at the gift shop.
47th anniversary retro goods and limited capsule toys
Original retro merchandise featuring vintage photos and designs — including T-shirts, tote bags, and acrylic keychains — will be sold, along with a capsule toy machine offering a limited-edition acrylic keychain.
Limited-time restaurant menu
The restaurant will offer limited-time menu items designed to appeal across generations, including an "adult's kids' lunch" for grown-ups and a classic kids' lunch for children.
True-or-false quiz stamp rally
Visitors can take on quizzes about Gunma Safari Park at five locations around the park. Guests who answer every question correctly receive a ticket for the Garapon lottery draw.
Garapon lottery draw
Guests receive a lottery voucher for riding the park's tour bus, joining various experiences, or spending ¥4,000 or more (tax included) in a single purchase at the gift shop; three vouchers earn one turn at the draw. Every entry in this event's Garapon draw wins a prize.
"Night Museum" Runs From Evening Into the Night
To coincide with the popular after-hours Night Safari and Twilight Safari tours, a "Night Museum" event will be held in the parking lot in front of the "Marché" gift shop (4:00 PM–8:00 PM, free admission). Visitors can enjoy food trucks, an inflatable dome, festival-style games, gem mining, workshops, and more with their families from dusk into the evening. Guests who ride the Night Safari or Twilight Safari bus tours will also receive a booklet of five ¥100 discount coupons usable at the Night Museum.
During the event period, three guide rangers will also be stationed in the walking zone during Night Safari tours, offering enhanced nighttime programming such as animal commentary and animal walks.
Event Overview
| Event name | 47th Anniversary "Time Travel Safari" |
| Dates | Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, August 23, 2026, held daily throughout summer vacation |
| Night Museum | On Night Safari / Twilight Safari dates, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, in the parking lot in front of the "Marché" gift shop; free admission |
| Venue | Gunma Safari Park (1 Okamoto, Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture) |
| Participation | Included with regular park admission |
| Tickets | Official ticket site: https://ticket.safari.co.jp/top/summer2026 |
About Gunma Safari Park
Gunma Safari Park has operated since 1979 in a lush natural setting adjacent to the Tomioka Silk Mill and Silk Industry Heritage Sites in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture. The park is home to roughly 100 species and around 1,000 animals in a free-roaming safari format.
Visitors can drive through the safari zone in their own vehicles or aboard a park tour bus, passing among the animals for an experience that ranks among the largest of its kind in Japan. Beyond the standard safari drive, the park also offers a walking safari, a petting zoo, and the Wonder Adventure Land, making it a well-rounded destination for family outings.
In recent years, the park has also been active in developing tourism experiences that make use of digital technology, along with regional partnership projects.
