Photo/Illutration Lion cubs (Toshiyuki Takeya)

Editor's note: This is part of a series of videos offering an up-close perspective on the animal kingdom. A special 360-degree video camera system was set up in zoos and other facilities to show how the animals view their world as they interact.

Also visit our special 360-DEGREE LIVES page (http://t.asahi.com/360lives), where you can watch all the previous videos.

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It's Aug. 4, 2015, and the Fuji Safari Park in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo, is celebrating the birth of three lion cubs. A month or so later, the male and two female cubs could be found playfully running around in a special display case.

A roll of cardboard purchased the night before visiting the park was used to create a makeshift enclosure for the active cubs, with the camera placed in the middle.

At first, the cubs were wary of the enclosure. But once they became accustomed to it, the cardboard became a toy for the cubs to play with. The enclosure was destroyed in no time.

Cubs that escaped from the enclosure were picked up. Although still very young, the cubs were quite muscular, befitting the species known as the king of beasts.

For a few weeks after the cubs were born, the park allowed visitors to hold them in their arms while they had their photographs taken.

This was disallowed at the end of October, by which time the cubs had put on about 10 kilograms.

The cubs were moved in November to a room that is off-limits to the public. This means the animals will not be visible to the public for another two years. By that time, the lions will be ready to make their debut at the Fuji Safari Park.

In the meantime, staff at the park will be the only humans coming into close contact with the lions.