Machida City

The main attraction of Machida Squirrel Garden is the "Squirrel Free-range Area," where about 200 Taiwanese squirrels are allowed to roam freely. You can watch the squirrels running around energetically and eating food in the approximately 2,500 square meter free-range area. There are many handmade nest boxes of various colors and shapes installed in the area, and you can also see squirrels peeking out of the holes in the nest boxes in a relaxed atmosphere. The charm of this area is that it is designed to make it easy for squirrels to live, with nest boxes and trees placed to allow you to observe their natural lifestyle.

In the "Squirrel Free-Roaming Area," you can feed the squirrels directly. Mittens or gloves can be borrowed at the time of purchase, so please enjoy the feeding experience with gloves on to prevent injury. Children's sizes are also available. The food is sunflower seeds, and one bag costs 100 yen. Place the food on the mitten and squat down to wait, and the hungry squirrels will come close and eat directly from your hand. You may also see squirrels climbing onto the mittens to eat, making for a valuable experience. On holidays when the park is crowded with visitors, many squirrels may already be full, so mornings are the best time to try to feed them a lot. There are various signs in the park with cautionary notes, so be sure to check them carefully to avoid injury and enjoy your visit!

On weekdays, limited to Wednesdays and Fridays, you can experience interacting with rabbits! Up to 5 people can participate per session, and it's open to those 3 years old and above. You can pet the rabbits and even feed them, but unfortunately, you can't hold them. Furthermore, on weekends and holidays, there is also an opportunity to interact with guinea pigs. This is also open to those 3 years old and above, with a limit of 15 people per session. As the interaction experience is popular, it's recommended to check the schedule and other details in advance if you're interested.

In addition to the hands-on experiences with the squirrels, events are also held at Machida Squirrel Garden. There's the "Morumoru Race," where guinea pigs race and the person who guesses the winner receives a prize, and "Beetle Heaven," where you can interact with beetles and stag beetles during the summer. Other events include the "Nest Box Making Workshop," where you can make squirrel nest boxes that are displayed throughout the park. The nest boxes can be painted in various colors, resulting in unique and charming boxes. It's also fun to revisit the park and see the nest boxes you've made that are now installed in the park.

At the shop located near the exit for when you leave, you can purchase original goods from Machida Squirrel Garden, as well as stuffed animals of squirrels and many other animals. Machida Squirrel Garden original goods include towels with the original logo embroidered on them, as well as polo shirts available in adult and child sizes. In addition, there are also keychains, magnets, and memo pads, making them recommended as souvenirs for your visit.