Machida Squirrel Garden, Tokyo
Machida Squirrel Garden is a hands-on animal park spread across a 2,500-square-meter space where approximately 200 Taiwan squirrels roam freely. Located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Kanaimachi in Machida City, this unique outdoor enclosure offers visitors an intimate wildlife experience just outside central Tokyo. The facility houses both Taiwanese squirrels and chipmunks that have free range of the premises, creating an interactive environment where humans and animals can safely coexist.
The park serves as an educational attraction that promotes wildlife conservation awareness while providing entertainment for families and animal enthusiasts. In addition to squirrels, the park is home to chipmunks, guinea pigs, rabbits, and tortoises, making it a comprehensive small-scale zoo experience. The squirrels live in colorfully decorated houses throughout the spacious outdoor enclosure, sharing their habitat with friendly giant tortoises.
Visitors can enjoy direct interaction with the animals through supervised feeding experiences. Upon entering the special enclosed area, guests receive protective gloves and can purchase sunflower seeds for 100 yen per pack to feed the squirrels. The park also features hutches containing various rabbit breeds, with vegetable feed available for 100 yen per bowl. The enclosed design ensures both animal welfare and visitor safety while allowing for close encounters with the wildlife.
Admission fees are 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and 200 yen for children. Animal feed is sold separately at 100 yen per packet. The park is located at 733-1 Kanaimachi, Machida, Tokyo 195-0071.
Machida Squirrel Garden is located about 30 minutes south of Shinjuku by train. From Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Line to Machida Station (approximately 30 minutes). From Machida Station's North Exit, proceed to bus stop #21 in front of the POP building and take the bus to Yakushi-ike stop, which takes about 15-20 minutes. Machida Station is accessible via both the JR Yokohama Line and the Odakyu Odawara Line, with connections from Haneda Airport taking around 1 hour 20 minutes and from Narita Airport approximately 2 hours 35 minutes.
